New lawsuits likely after reopening of O'Donnell Park parking garage

Lawsuits against Milwaukee and Milwaukee County loomed Tuesday as officials announced the reopening of the O'Donnell Park parking garage on Lincoln Memorial Drive.

Attorneys for C.D. Smith and Dietz Drafting declined to comment on the lawsuit. Attorneys for Advance Cast Stone did not immediately return calls.Try a few of these ideas and before you know it, you'll be sipping margueritas and crunching tortillas in your very own Mexican courtyard.Furniture

• Furniture made of heavy wood looks most authentic in Mexican style decorating. Small rough-hewn side tables are suitable. If you can't get heavy wooden furnishing, paint simple wooden folding chairs bright yellow and blue.
• Alternatively, use wrought iron or hammered metal furniture. The Mexican influence of these materials can be also be used in gate hinges or accessories such as candlesticks.

"A lot of people have looked to the county to say it was deferred maintenance," Takerian said. "This is not deferred maintenance. This is an installation issue."The municipalities would have 120 days to either deny or take no action on the claim.But Foeckler said he was researching methods to sidestep those limitations.In a small ceremony, County Executive Chris Abele declared the renovated structure safe. He lauded the work of the contractors -- Madison-based KBS Construction Inc. and RAM Construction Services of Minnesota LLC, Little Canada -- that completed $5.4 million in renovations about a year after a June 24, 2010, accident in which a 13 1/2-ton panel fell from the facade of the garage, killing 15- year-old Greenfield resident Jared Kellner and injuring two others.But Jack Takerian, Milwaukee County director of public works and transportation, said the liability lies with the contractors that he said improperly installed the panels.All four construction companies conducted various work on the O'Donnell Park parking garage, according to the lawsuits, which were consolidated in Milwaukee County Circuit Court."If you have a city or county attorney saying, 'We trusted these people to do the work, and they didn't do what they told us,'" Abraham said, "it might be more believable for a jury than the plaintiffs' lawyers who are asking for money."Country: Nationwide this is by far the most popular style. Characteristics include a large, usually covered front porch or a wraparound porch, and a steeply pitched gabled roofline that runs lengthwise. The roofline is often punctuated by dormer windows and gabled wings, creating casual, informal living. The farmhouse style home is typically a rectangular or L-shaped home, often with two-stories. Horizontal siding is the typical material for county and farmhouse designs, although masonry or stucco is possible.Cannon & Dunphy in October filed against the city and the county a notice of injury, which typically is a precursor to a lawsuit.Tiles

• Mexico is justly famous for its beautiful tiles -- either unfinished terracotta or those with bold glazed patterns of flowers or other objects in shades of yellow, blue and red.
• Consider clay floor tiles to give a concrete slab patio a fresh new look. If tiling is not in your budget, get creative with paint as we did on this city balcony. http://www.paradiseporch.com/before_after.php
• If you're serious about the Mexican look, tile the roof of your outdoor space with red clay tiles.
• Use brightly colored tiles on a table or a tray. Carry the terracotta theme with clay plant pots.

"I think as the attorneys get into it a little further," Takerian said, "they will find that the panels that were installed were installed differently than originally designed."Accessories

• Accessorize your Mexican-styled space with wrought iron candlesticks or grille work.
• Fish and bird motifs (such as roosters or parrots) are good, especially if made of clay or tile.
• Carry the bright colors into the plantings in your space. Nasturtiums are ideal for hanging baskets or the lattice you've installed. If you're growing zucchini or other squash, consider planting them near the patio, so that the blossoms add to your atmosphere.
• If you want to get away from the yellow in your flowers, use bougainvillaea, pastel poppies or broadleaf greenery such as yucca plants.
• Heap a rope basket with apricots, guavas or pears. Alternatively, you can make oversized paper m�ch� replicas or paint wooden yard-sale fruits.

"We wanted to do this right," Abele said.Lawsuits against the county and city in a case such as the O'Donnell accident could be more a strategic move than an economic one, said Jason Abrahamson, a Milwaukee personal injury lawyer. He said he had not found a way to circumvent the municipal caps in a case unless it involved civil rights issues.Victorian: This particular traditional-style home has strong historical origins with very intricate rooflines and the use of turrets, dormers, towers, bays and eyebrow windows. Ornate porches are a prevalent feature along with shingles or narrow-lap wood siding. This style is more appropriate for two-story homes, although one-story designs with Victorian features are available."We will be filing a notice of claim relatively soon," Foeckler said.But removing the 27,000-pound panels and adding a new stucco finish doesn't exempt the county or city from responsibility for the accident, said Al Foeckler, attorney for the Kellner family. Liability lawsuits against Milwaukee County and the city of Milwaukee are forthcoming this summer, said the attorney with Cannon & Dunphy SC, Brookfield."I'm not aware of that yet," he said, "and we haven't heard anything.""The answer to those lawsuits is to deny that Findorff is liable," said Don Piper, attorney for the company.Fabric

• Roughly woven natural fibers, such a cotton tablecloths or woven rope chair seats, work best in this decorating scheme.
• Use a brightly colored wool serape as a scatter mat, throw, or "wall" hanging.
• This is the perfect setting for a rope hammock for that afternoon siesta.
• Use striped fabric in primary colors for cushion covers.

"We want a rigorous and well done competitively bid process, which ensures that we get the best outcome for the county," he said. "I don't think that has always been the case."

Author: Jack Zemlicka