View of workers and heavy construction machinery working on the West Avenue Phase II Neighborhood Improvements Project in Miami Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
Pedro Portal
pportal@miamiherald.com
Construction crews are continuing work on a major anti-flooding project in the West Avenue neighborhood of Miami Beach despite a lawsuit filed by the contractor, which wants to quit the project.
Earlier this month, Ric-Man Construction Florida sued Miami Beach, saying delays caused by the city and other complications have cost the company nearly $21 million, according to a claim summary attached to the lawsuit. The company is hoping to recover millions from the city for its work and expenses so far for improvements to West Avenue north of 14th Street.
While the city hasn’t formally responded to the complaint, “residents can be assured that day‑to‑day construction work will continue without interruption,” according to a statement shared by city spokeswoman Melissa Berthier.
The West Avenue project was designed to reduce long-term flooding risks in the neighborhood, which is among the lowest-lying areas in Miami Beach, the statement said.
It was nearly a decade ago that Ric-Man agreed to install new storm drain systems, work on a filter and pump system to discharge the new systems into Biscayne Bay, and raise roads in the area, according to the complaint.
Ric-Man was scheduled to start construction in December 2017, with a completion date in August 2019, its complaint says. However, the company says the city failed to coordinate with the property owners adjacent to the roadways being raised, and construction wasn’t able to start on time.
Now, the estimated completion date isn’t until early 2029 — “a result of some function or failure to act that is within the city’s control and responsibility,” the complaint said.
City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico told the Miami Herald that the city doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
View of workers and heavy construction machinery working on the West Avenue Phase II Neighborhood Improvements Project in Miami Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
One problem? A primary piece of the project involves Ric-Man replacing an old stormwater drainage system with a new one that empties into Biscayne Bay. But the company ran into unauthorized drainage pipes hooked up by local property owners, the complaint said.
Ric-Man cannot connect the illegal pipes to the new system, and it also can’t remove them without an alternative solution, the complaint says. If it did, residents’ yards and homes would flood every time it rains heavily or the tides rise.
The company accuses the city of dropping the ball, allowing construction to begin without checking for or dealing with the hidden connections and not providing a clear plan on how to resolve the issue.
While the dispute is being worked out in court, Ric-Man is required to continue the work without interruptions, according to the city’s statement.
View of workers and heavy construction machinery working on the West Avenue Phase II Neighborhood Improvements Project in Miami Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
The next portion of the project was scheduled to begin Monday on Lincoln Court north of Lincoln Road. Workers and heavy construction machinery could be seen operating Tuesday on the neighborhood project.
