The construction of sports facilities are extremely high-profile projects involving little, if any, schedule flexibility. Notwithstanding this fact, these projects are extremely complex and problems can arise that require all parties involved in the construction process to find innovative ways to deal with those problems. Alston & Bird lawyers have extensive experience with these types of projects and have helped clients work through a variety of sports facility-related issues.
Construction Counseling
Represented the Atlanta Hawks in negotiations and drafting its construction management, architect, and project management agreements for the renovation of State Farm Arena (Philips Arena at the time) and the Hawks’ new state-of-the-art practice facility and orthopedic center, in partnership with Emory University, near Emory’s campus just north of Atlanta.
Represented the construction manager in the negotiation of an agreement for the construction of State Farm Arena (Philips Arena at the time) in Atlanta, a multiuse sports arena that serves as home of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team and, formerly, the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team.
Represented the construction manager in the negotiation of the agreement for the construction of the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, a domed football stadium and former home of the Atlanta Falcons. At the time it was constructed, the Georgia Dome was the largest domed stadium in the world.
Represented the construction manager in the negotiation of the agreement for the construction of Olympic Stadium, a $200 million stadium that hosted the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field events for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and its subsequent conversion to Turner Field, a baseball stadium and former home of the Atlanta Braves.
Represented the construction manager in the negotiation of the agreement for the construction of a new NFL stadium in Houston.
Represented the owner in the drafting and negotiation of contracts for the design and construction of the Robert C. Fowler Sports Arena at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Represented the construction manager and joint venture partners in negotiation of contract for the $40 million addition to Tiger Stadium at Louisiana State University.
Represented a steel erection contractor in connection with the negotiation of contracts relating to the construction of Petco Park in San Diego. Provided project counseling that focused on meeting schedule deadlines while preserving claims against a steel fabricator for misfabrication of project steel.
Construction Claims
Represented a structural steel erector in asserting claims against a steel fabricator for misfabrication of steel relating to the construction of the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park. The client was awarded 90 percent of damages and attorneys’ fees after a 21-day arbitration proceeding, causing the fabricator to pay the remaining outstanding claim without negotiation or further litigation.
Represented a steel erector on claims arising out of the construction of Marlins Park in Miami.
Represented a general contractor against the Los Angeles Dodgers in connection with claims arising out of the modernization of Dodger Stadium.
Represented a general contractor against the University of California in connection with claims arising out of the construction of an intramural sports complex in San Diego.
Defended the nation’s largest steel producer in a federal court action brought by the State of Hawaii that alleged that the company’s licensed steel product did not meet the specifications for the construction of the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The state contended that the product deteriorated excessively, resulting in damages exceeding $100 million. After a four-month trial, the jury returned a defense verdict in favor of our client on all claims. Following appeal, the case settled favorably to our client.