Obama Center Hit With $1.72M Mechanic’s Lien As Contractor Forced To Shutter Business

CHICAGO, IL. (THECOUNT) — The Obama Presidential Center is facing a new legal challenge after a subcontractor filed a $1.72 million mechanic’s lien against the project, alleging it has not been fully paid for completed construction work.

The lien was filed by Chicago-based Adamson Plumbing Contractors, which performed plumbing work on the Obama Presidential Center under the name Marsh-Adamson.

Company owner Mike Owen claims the lien represents documented unpaid work, including labor overruns, approved change orders and other project-related costs. He said the filing is separate from his broader claim that the company suffered approximately $3.9 million in total losses while working on the high-profile development.

A mechanic’s lien is a legal claim filed against a property by a contractor or supplier alleging it has not received full payment for work performed.

According to Owen, he spent months attempting to negotiate a resolution before pursuing legal action.

“I’m not a litigious person, but at the same time, our legal system is there to protect the small guy,” Owen said.

Owen alleges the financial dispute ultimately forced Adamson Plumbing to suspend operations, lay off approximately 25 union employees and abandon multiple construction projects.

Despite receiving some payments after the shutdown, Owen said they arrived too late to prevent the company’s closure.

Lakeside Alliance, the construction manager overseeing the Obama Presidential Center project, said contractual closeout continues after major projects are completed and stated it remains committed to resolving outstanding matters. The company did not directly address Owen’s allegations or the mechanic’s lien.

The Obama Foundation said subcontractor payments are managed through Lakeside Alliance and stated it has no outstanding disputed charges with the construction manager.

The Obama Presidential Center officially opened in June following years of construction. The project has also drawn attention over rising construction costs, which have reportedly grown from an initial estimate of approximately $350 million to more than $1 billion.

The mechanic’s lien remains pending as the payment dispute moves into the legal process.

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