In a legal battle that underscores the critical importance of construction site safety and contractor responsibilities, Tri-City Holdings, LLC has filed a lawsuit against Countywide Contracting, Inc. and IRE Construction, Inc. The complaint was lodged in the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on March 12, 2025. Tri-City Holdings accuses the defendants of negligence related to a townhome project known as "Latitudes in the Park."
The case centers around allegations that Countywide Contracting and its subcontractor, IRE Construction, failed to adequately secure a construction site ahead of Hurricane Ian's arrival in September 2022. Tri-City Holdings served as the project manager for the development located at 6425 62nd Ave. N. and 6402 64th Way N., Pinellas Park, Florida. According to the complaint, Countywide was contracted to perform framing and masonry work on the project and subsequently subcontracted some masonry tasks to IRE.
Tri-City claims that despite receiving approval from local building authorities to proceed with concrete lintel work before the storm hit, neither Countywide nor IRE ensured their presence on-site when Niagara Concrete arrived to pour concrete for structural support. This absence allegedly left parts of the structure vulnerable as high winds approached.
As Hurricane Ian loomed closer, Tri-City directed Countywide to secure the site by reinforcing newly constructed masonry walls. However, both Countywide and IRE reportedly failed to take necessary actions to prevent structural collapse. Consequently, several walls and floor joists were damaged during the storm.
Tri-City contends that these failures resulted in significant financial losses due to remediation efforts needed post-storm damage and subsequent delays in project completion. The plaintiff argues that both defendants breached their duty of care by not safeguarding against foreseeable harm from hurricane conditions.
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000 along with costs incurred from remedial work required after alleged negligence by both contractors. Tri-City demands judgment favoring them against each defendant individually for an amount determined at trial plus interest or other relief deemed appropriate by court proceedings.
Representing Tri-City Holdings is attorney William F. McFetridge from Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns LLP based out of Tampa while Mark Roesch serves as manager overseeing this legal action under Case Number: 25-001212-CI before Pinellas County's judicial system within Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit Court framework.