MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Two construction companies are suing the city of Brooklyn Center after their projects were suspended over concerns about the coronavirus.
In their lawsuit, S.R. Weidema, Inc., of Maple Grove, and R.L. Larson Excavating, Inc., of St. Cloud, say that together they will lose nearly half a million dollars each week that work is delayed.
The companies argue Mayor Mike Elliott wrongly postponed their projects because of a family’s concern that construction dust could harm their children who have asthma and add to their concerns about contracting COVID-19.
A local news outlet reports that the lawsuit filed in Hennepin County District Court this week says other construction projects in the city were allowed to continue under state and federal guidelines.
Elliott said in a written statement that his duty was to “protect the health and safety of our citizens” using emergency powers available to the city.
(© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)