Creekstone and contractors nearing settlement

Attorneys for Creekstone Developers and Associated Concrete Contractors have asked for another 30 days to settle a matter involving a lien on the property at Juban Crossing. In a joint motion filed late last week, lawyers for both firms say the parties have “made great efforts to finalize their settlement efforts, and but for one or two remaining matters, which they believe will be amicably resolved, are essentially complete.” In March, U.S. District Judge James Brady gave the parties 60 days to reach an agreement. Associated Concrete recorded a lien against the property on Interstate 12 east of Denham Springs in October 2012, claiming it is owed nearly $6.9 million for work on the shopping development. Creekstone Companies/Juban subsequently sued Associated Concrete in Baton Rouge federal court, alleging the lien was improper and had stalled $81 million in financing for the shopping center. Creekstone principal Stephen Keller later issued a statement saying Associated Concrete had signed an agreement to drop the lien. Last week, the Louisiana Legislature approved a bill to pay for infrastructure improvements for the 470-acre development using sales taxes collected within the Juban Crossing Economic Development District. The bill is awaiting Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signature. To read more about the case, click here. To read Keller’s earlier statement about the lien, click here. —Penny Font