American Metal Fabricators’ work unfinished after Grace and Peace Church pays 1000’s to increase North Austin meals pantry: pastor

CHICAGO (WLS) — A meals pantry growth has been a dream for a neighborhood church.

However, efforts to assist these in want have been delayed. The pastor says a neighborhood metal firm took the cash, practically $157,000, however by no means completed the work.

Pastor John Zayas of Grace and Peace Church within the North Austin neighborhood has dreamed of a pantry growth for the church’s Hole Group Middle. Nevertheless, there isn’t a meals within the area, solely frustration.

“I am simply dissatisfied in the truth that we’re not completed,” Zayas stated. “We discover ourselves on this scenario simply ready. Due to this one contractor, the metal is holding up everybody else.”

SEE ALSO | Elk Grove Village lady sad with new driveway, different initiatives she paid $20K for

Zayas shared his contract and checks to American Metal Fabricators in Melrose Park with the ABC7 I-Workforce. The 2 checks written in January and one in March whole virtually $157,000. The invoice was paid in full, however months later, there are nonetheless issues.

Zayas says the final contractor is to not blame, and that the mission held is being up solely by American Metal Fabricators’ unfinished set up of metal. Zayas confirmed the I-Workforce some metal beams up. He says solely about 20% of the work is full, which a far cry from their blueprints.

“It is holding up the mission and for us, it is vital that American Metal, if they do not end the job, if they cannot end the job, return the sources again to us in order that we will convey another person to complete the job,” Zayas stated. “It is cash that we raised. It was cash that we labored laborious to get.”

The church hoped to increase its well-liked meals pantry as neighborhood members may very well be seen lined up across the block. Pedro Robles was wanting ahead to the growth.

“I am out of a job. I am on incapacity. I bought unhealthy legs, and I want all the assistance I can get,” Robles stated. “These individuals right here from the church, they assist individuals so much.”

It wasn’t within the contract, however Zayas says American Metal Fabricators advised him the job would take a couple of months. He says among the columns began going up in Could. That was 4 months after the contact was signed.

Then, Zayas acquired an e-mail from the chief working officer of American Metal on Could 14, saying, “We anticipate set up of the columns previous to this week’s finish.”

Then, days later, he bought one other e-mail from the director of mission administration, saying that the chief working officer had handed away.

“We waited a couple of month, month and a half, after which, we began getting pushback. Our calls weren’t answered. We did converse to somebody who was operating the mission, and she or he talked about to us that she was going to get again to us in a couple of weeks,” Zayas stated.

Zayas stated after a number of extra months of no updates and no work, he reached out to the I-Workforce.

Shopper Investigator Jason Knowles referred to as and emailed American Metal Fabricators. When he did not hear again, he stopped by the enterprise and spoke with a employee.

“We talked to some of us from a church who’re increasing a pantry. They’re ready on metal. They paid virtually $157,000?” Knowles stated.

“I do not know something about that, I am only a laborer,” the employee stated.

READ MORE | Palos Hills lady says scammers did shoddy work on driveway, then burglarized house

The employee stated the managers and house owners had already left for the day. Knowles left his enterprise card and emailed and referred to as once more, however by no means laborious again.

“Do not simply stroll away from this. Make it proper. As a result of in the event you do not make it proper right here, you stole from essentially the most marginalized of us. You stole from the neighborhood that is in want,” Zayas stated.

The pastor says he’s not ready, and he’s getting metal from one other firm. He nonetheless needs his a reimbursement.

Consultants say to keep away from a scenario like this, all the time pay in your job in thirds at first, center and finish of the mission. Use a bank card so you may dispute or reverse costs.