C.D. Smith, the general contractor for the stalled construction of the Edison high-rise apartment tower in downtown Milwaukee, has filed a $10.2 million construction lien against Madison-based Neutral, the project’s developer.
According to newly filed court documents, the Fond du Lac–based contractor also last week filed a $4.1 million lien against Neutral for unpaid work on the Bakers Place apartment building in downtown Madison, which was completed earlier this year. In addition, Madison-based Sergenian’s Floor Coverings Inc. filed a $189,000 lien against Neutral for unpaid work on the Bakers Place project.
Neutral has not yet filed responses in any of the cases, and CEO Nate Helbach did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The legal actions come shortly after the 225-foot crane was removed from the Edison construction site at 1005 N. Edison St. The 31-story, 353-unit mass timber tower was scheduled for completion in 2027, but construction halted in September after the foundation was finished.
Neutral has described the pause as temporary, citing efforts to address rising construction costs through value engineering. City officials later revealed that project costs had increased by roughly $20 million, and it remained unclear how much financing had been secured when construction began in June.
The construction stoppage has also raised concerns about the City of Milwaukee’s decision to select Neutral to redevelop the nearby Marcus Performing Arts Center parking structure with a multi-building $700 million redevelopment .
Last month, the city’s Zoning, Development and Neighborhoods Committee discussed a resolution from downtown Ald. Bob Bauman directing the Department of City Development to reissue a request for proposals for the site. At that meeting, DCD Commissioner Lafayette Crump defended Neutral’s right to continue negotiations with the city, and the committee delayed voting on the resolution. It’s expected to be discussed at the committee’s meeting next week.
A rendering of The Edison apartment project..
