Posted on: Thursday, August 7, 2003

Firm says money owed for work

Associated Press

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A Hawai'i-based architectural firm has filed a lien against The Pyramid Cos., claiming it is owed more than $300,000 for work on Pyramid's proposed $2.2 billion megamall project.

Officials for both Pyramid, a Syracuse-based regional mall developer, and Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo Inc. told The Post-Standard of Syracuse that the companies were close to resolving the dispute through negotiations.

The architectural firm, which specializes in designing resort hotels around the world, said Pyramid owes $309,492 for architectural services, plans and drawings provided for Destiny USA. The lien was filed in the Onondaga County Clerk's Office July 9.

Pyramid executive Michael Lorenz told the newspaper that Pyramid withheld payment because it was not satisfied with the firm's work. Wimberly was hired to develop a master plan for Destiny's hotels and resort features.

Officials at the architectural firm's Honolulu offices could not be reached late yesterday for comment.

If built, Destiny USA would supplant Mall of America in Minnesota as the nation's largest retail and entertainment complex. The plan includes more than 400 stores and theme restaurants, a glass-enclosed 100-acre rooftop park, an indoor re-creation of the Erie Canal, a 15,000-seat amphitheater, a multistory aquarium and a water theme park.

Pyramid has said Destiny USA would create more than 122,000 direct and spin-off jobs and attract up to 40 million visitors annually.

However, the project has stalled and its future is unclear after Pyramid failed to get state lawmakers' approval for legislation guaranteeing about $630 million in development incentives and tax credits over 14 years. Pyramid said it needed the guarantee to obtain private financing for the project.

Legislative officials have said the measure could be taken up again when lawmakers return to session in the fall.