Bellafont Battles Precept Builders

The dispute between the Barber Group and Precept Builders Inc. of Dallas over the Bellafont development in Fayetteville has escalated.

On Dec. 6, a week after the general contractor packed up its construction trailer at the 12.8-acre, mixed-use project on Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville, the company filed a $924,082 lien against Barber’s Bellafont Retail LLC.

The Barber Group has been under fire lately at Bellafont with lawsuits alleging fraud filed Nov. 13 and Nov. 20, respectively, by Mason’s owner Mason Hiba and East Meets West Spa & Salon owner Helena Gadison.

On. Nov. 29, Precept CEO Doug Deason said Precept made the decision to “move on” from the project, citing months of nonpayment. The Barber Group shot back in a statement, saying Precept was off the job for not fulfilling its obligations under the contract.

Deason and Barber, who have worked together on numerous projects including the Legacy Building in downtown Fayetteville, appeared to cement their partnership on July 24. Deason purchased two lots at the Bellafont for $2.7 million, including Lot 4, reserved for the office tower and parking deck.

Both companies planned to take space in the tower, but we don’t expect them to be sharing offices any time soon.