The owner of the former W.T. Grant building at the corner of Third and Washington streets and future site of the Jamestown Brewing Company has “vehemently” denied any wrongdoing after a 13-page claim was filed in state Supreme Court in Erie County alleging delays in the brewery’s opening.

In a statement Wednesday to The Post-Journal, GPatti Enterprises said it was disappointed to learn of the pending lawsuit since work at the 115-121 W. Third St. brewery in downtown Jamestown was almost complete.

“GPatti and its principals are disappointed that their tenant, JBC, resorted to filing a lawsuit when the project is on the verge of being complete, instead of working with GPatti to resolve any perceived project issues,” the statement read. “GPatti expended a great deal of time, energy and monetary resources to bring this project to fruition with a number of community and other partners.

“This is a long-term investment that GPatti made in its home town of Jamestown.”

The lawsuit, filed Dec. 21, 2018, lays out a case alleging delays in the project have cost Jamestown Brewing Co. investors John and John McClellan, a father-son brewing team, more than a million dollars.

John McClellan II, Jamestown Brewing Company Inc. co-owner, said the company could be open as soon as March 4.

“If we handle things correctly and they handle things correctly, we should be able to brew,” McClellan told The Post-Journal on Tuesday. “We’ve been trying to get this open for a long time. My passion, and my dad’s passion, to get this opened has not waned. It’s been further solidified to get this opened. We’re doing everything that we can to get this business open in downtown Jamestown.

“We feel that everyone who has been waiting deserves it. We’re ready to start brewing.”

Jamestown Brewing Co. was supposed to open in April 2018, but environmental delays with the project have resulted in a series of setbacks. Work continues on the site, which will ultimately result in a three-floor brewery and restaurant that will serve pub food and high-end menu items as well as beer distributed in the form of growlers and kegs.

George Patti declined to comment on the pending lawsuit when contacted this week.

However, GPatti in its statement said the construction delays encountered are not unusual on a project of this size, and noted that the project has involved renovations to the 50-year-plus-old building. GPatti also pointed out that no completetion or delivery date was ever guaranteed.

“JBC was aware of this and took on that business risk as part of its lease,” the statement read. “JBC was made aware of the progress of the work at all times. JBC acknowledged the delays.

“GPatti believed that its intended business partner understood the need to complete the work the correct way so that all parties benefited from this significant, long-term investment. GPatti, as it has all along, continues to do everything in its power to complete the project to all applicable codes, and in a timely manner.”

Court records indicate the lawsuit has not yet been served. Its status in the court system is “Pre-RJI,” a status denoting neither of the parties has filed a Request for Judicial Intervention form and paid a filing fee.

GPatti said should the litigation move forward in court, it would defend against the allegations and “assert claims of its own.”

“GPatti’s position, however, will be based on the actual terms of the parties’ contract and the actual events that took place on the site,” the statement read. “Despite JBC’s actions, GPatti remains dedicated to the renovation project on Third Street, to its construction and community partners, and to Jamestown.”