Lafayette walks out on sidewalk deal

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - City of Lafayette cut ties with a construction company, citing several problems including the company performing low-quality work and not paying employees.

Originally the city hired Artistic Construction, of Brazil, Indiana, to cement the sidewalks along 18th Street and Teal Road in Lafayette.

Along with the sidewalk, the project included handicap ramps and the sidewalks along resident's driveways.

The total price tag for the project was $88,000.

City Engineer Jenny Miller said the company's work raised some red flags. Metal spikes were left sticking out of the ground and some large holes were left unmarked.

Miller says those problems led the city to nix the contract.

"I don't know that there was a final straw," said Miller. "It was just several items along the way and it was just in conflict with what the contract terms were on the project and we felt like we needed to move forward with somebody that was going to fulfill the terms of the contract and do it correctly."

Miller said she does not see the city working with Artistic Construction ever again, unless major improvements are made.

Dixon Construction is now taking over Artistic Construction's work.

The contract change backs up the projects completion date, from December of 2009 to May 15 of 2010.

News Channel 18 talked to the owner of Artistic Construction, Art Arfati. He had no comment.