Ric-Man Sues Miami Beach Over West Avenue Delays
The construction firm claims project costs have ballooned by nearly $21 million due to city coordination failures.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Construction
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Ric-Man Construction Florida filed a lawsuit against Miami Beach in October 2026 seeking to recover nearly $21 million in costs tied to ongoing delays. The contractor, currently tasked with anti-flooding improvements on West Avenue, also requested permission to exit the project.
Why it matters
The legal dispute stems from the citys failure to coordinate with property owners, resulting in the discovery of unauthorized drainage pipes that complicate the installation of new storm drains. The company argues that resolving these conflicts without causing local flooding has significantly hindered progress and increased operational expenses.
Ric-Man Construction claims project costs have surged by nearly $21 million due to unforeseen complications during the West Avenue anti-flooding work. The completion date for the project has been pushed back to early 2029.
The players
Ric-Man Construction Florida
This construction firm is the primary contractor tasked with the West Avenue anti-flooding infrastructure improvements.
Miami Beach
The city government is the defendant in the litigation and is responsible for coordinating municipal infrastructure projects.
The details
The project involves installing new storm drains and a filter and pump system, but workers encountered unauthorized drainage pipes connected by local property owners. Because removing or connecting these pipes could trigger neighborhood flooding, the firm contends the project is currently unmanageable under original terms.
Timeline
Construction was originally scheduled to start in December 2017.
The project was initially slated for completion in August 2019.
Ric-Man filed a lawsuit against Miami Beach in October 2026.
The project is now estimated for completion in early 2029.
Market Landscape
This litigation exposes the operational risks inherent in Miami Beach's municipal anti-flooding master plan when executing large-scale infrastructure work in dense residential areas. The conflict highlights how local property coordination challenges can destabilize major city contracts and force shifts in market project timelines.
Residents and business owners in the West Avenue area should expect ongoing construction activity as the court mandates work to continue during litigation. The delayed 2029 completion date indicates that current drainage and road-raising disturbances will persist for several more years.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure projects often face delays when existing property utility lines do not match municipal records. Property owners near active construction zones should verify their own drainage connections to avoid being caught in municipal infrastructure disputes.
Further reading
For more background on infrastructure projects in the area, visit Miami Beach Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Miami Herald.
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