A lawsuit and a countersuit between the two architects behind R2 Architecture, the venture that designed the East Hampton Town senior citizens center planned on Abraham's Path in Amagansett, have further delayed the long-stalled project and could result in cost increases for the roughly $30 million project.
One lawsuit says the controversial project, dubbed the Center for Modern Aging, is at a "standstill" and "is in serious jeopardy."
In February, Ross Barney Architects and its principal, Carol Ross Barney, filed a complaint in New York County Supreme Court against Ronnette Riley and her firm, Ronnette Riley Architects. Together the two architects make up R2 Architecture.
"Continuing the entity is not financially feasible," it read.
In late July, Ms. Riley filed a counterclaim.
Among other complaints, the architects accuse each other of breach of contract and seek to dissolve R2 Architecture, their joint venture that, court documents revealed, was never properly formalized.
The senior center, already 10 years in the works, is at present nothing more than a clear-cut swath of former woodland where the access road will be. Construction was set to begin this past spring after trees were removed in January.
Ms. Riley's counterclaim states that the center was expected to open by the end of 2024.
Yet, in a January interview, East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez told The Star it would be operational by the end of 2026.
On Tuesday, Patrick Derenze, the town's public information officer, said he believed construction was supposed to start at the beginning of 2026.
Mr. Derenze wouldn't answer direct questions posed about whether a final budget had been set for the project, if the lawsuit had delayed construction, or if the town was considering its own suit against the architects, who have already been paid $1.3 million for their work.
However, 10 hours later, after The Star's conversation with Mr. Derenze, the town issued a press release, with an update on the status of the senior center after months of silence.
"Fifteen architectural firms submitted proposals in response to the town's request for proposals, and R2 was chosen based on its qualifications, experience with public buildings, and its alignment with the town's goals for an inclusive, community-focused facility," read the release.
"The town undertook a rigorous and transparent selection process and has acted in good faith at every stage of this project," Supervisor Burke-Gonzalez wrote in the release. "Unfortunately, the internal dispute between the two firms is disappointing and has placed the town in a difficult position."
According to the legal paperwork, while R2 Architecture was formed in 2015 and has bid on over 20 projects, it only managed to land two, including the senior center. Its contract for another project, at the New York City Department of Design and Construction, was terminated before construction began.
The lawsuits also lay bare the agreement and disagreements between the two architects.
Ross Barney Architects is located in Chicago and was set to pick up New York projects from the partnership with Ms. Riley's firm, which is located in New York City. Profits were to be split evenly.
According to Ms. Ross Barney's filing, she was to be the lead design consultant and Ms. Riley was supposed to be the associate architect.
Ms. Riley's July countersuit against Ms. Ross Barney, in part, questions that structure.
In her lawsuit, Ms. Ross Barney said that a final budget for the senior center has yet to be secured, jeopardizing the project.
Mr. Derenze said Tuesday it stands at $28 million.
Meanwhile, in her counterclaim, Ms. Riley argued that the project remains stalled at only 30 percent of construction drawings, blaming Ms. Ross Barney for "inability to adhere to the client's directives" and insisting on a rejected design.
Ultimately, the two were set to split about $1.5 million in fees associated with the senior center project.
With the town admitting R2 Architecture has already been paid $1.3 million, that means R2 would have received over 86 percent of its fees despite the stalled project and incomplete construction drawings.
In October 2024, the two architects attempted to split amicably, but could not work that out.
That same month, then-acting planning director Tina Vavilis LaGarenne (who has since been promoted to planning director) told the board that clearing would not negatively impact the federally endangered northern long-eared bat and recommended that the board adopt a negative declaration per state environmental laws, meaning a deeper environmental assessment would not be required.
In November the board did so, agreeing that the project would have little environmental impact on the seven acres at 403 Abraham's Path in Amagansett, sidestepping a potentially lengthy environmental review.
In December, the board split in a vote to make itself immune from the town's zoning laws. Councilman Ian Calder-Piedmonte recused himself from that vote, while Councilman Tom Flight dissented.
The following month, the land was cleared.
Two weeks later, the lawsuit was filed, effectively halting the project. "The town has become aware that a dispute has arisen," the town's press release acknowledged this week.
The last time R2 Architecture was in front of the town board was over a year ago.
If the court dissolves the partnership, the town board will likely have to seek new architects.
Depositions scheduled for late July did not occur. A preliminary conference has been scheduled for Oct. 9, at which future depositions will be scheduled.
What once were fierce debates over the center's design details, such as stainless steel shingles, or its "windmill" layout, now seem trivial in the face of the project's uncertain future.
"East Hampton's senior programs are thriving, and 403 Abraham's Path in Amagansett will give them the permanent home they deserve," read Tuesday's press release. "As we move into the next phase, we are actively advancing plans to deliver a welcoming center that meets the needs of our growing community. Further updates will be shared as they become available."
