Aztec motel subcontractors still waiting for payment

AZTEC Area businesses that helped build Aztec's first national chain hotel are still waiting to be paid.

Located at the south end of downtown Aztec near the intersection of Pepsi Way and U.S. Highway 550, the Aztec Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham opened its doors in early October. While the hotel now offers 70 rooms, a pool, a hot tub and free Wi-Fi, subcontractors are still out in the cold.

"We did quite a bit of work on the project, but have not been paid yet," said Clint Freeman, co-owner of Sun Glass of Farmington. "It makes us strapped, but we're blessed to have a lot of good customers."

In operation since 1952, Sun Glass installed doors, bathroom hardware and mirrors for the hotel. Like the other subcontractors hired to work on the hotel, Sun Glass was contracted by CMI, a privately held company based in Dunedin, Fla.

Jeff Jaeger, president of San Juan Insulation and Drywall in Durango, has yet to see payment for installing the hotel's insulation, drywall and acoustic ceilings.

"It's a substantial amount. Not that there's a good time of year, but especially around the holidays, this represents a hardship," Jaeger said. "We've covered payroll, paid our vendors, but we need to be paid."

Jaeger said he has filed a lien against the hotel for unpaid work and was contacted by an attorney representing the hotel.

That lawyer is Patricia Simpson, a Farmington attorney who is handling the payment negotiations.

"Wyndham and the Microtel and the developer have met all their obligations," Simpson said on Friday. "There are methods in place to notify the subs and we are proceeding to get them paid. It's a very sensitive legal issue. It's being handled as quickly as we can."

Messages left with CMI seeking comment were not answered as of late Friday.

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Aztec motel subcontractors still waiting for payment