Contractors Have Lien Rights on Improvements Built on Public Property
Haselwood v. Bremerton Ice Arena, Inc., 137 Wn. App. 872, 155 P.3d 952 (2007)
In this case, Division Two of the Washington Court of Appeals considered whether and to what extent a contractor has lien rights on a private building constructed on public property. The City of Bremerton entered into a concession agreement with Bremerton Ice Arena, Inc. (“BIA”), under which BIA would construct an ice arena on city property and would own and operate the arena for a specified period of time. After the expiration of that period of time, ownership of the arena improvements would transfer to the city.
The excavation and drainage subcontractor on the project claimed it was unpaid for a portion of its work, and filed a lien the project.