The Tri-Cities architecture firm sued by Moses Lake School District over the construction of the district’s newest elementary school will pay $1.85 million to help cover the cost of fixing problems with the building.

The payment is part of an agreement settling the school district’s claims against Design West Architects over Groff Elementary School, according to a school district news release. The district said the settlement is a compromise and admits neither party’s liability or wrongdoing but “reflects the parties’ shared desire to resolve the dispute in an amicable manner.” 

“Receiving $1.85 million will help offset the remediation costs at Groff while allowing us to remain focused on what matters: providing safe, high-quality learning and working environments for our students and staff,” said Superintendent Carol Lewis in a statement. “We appreciate the collaborative efforts that made this resolution possible and remain committed to being good stewards of our taxpayers’ investment.” 

Design West, which has a Kennewick office, said it is eager to see Groff reopened, appreciated the opportunity to be part of the school project and is focused on a positive outcome for the school district, according to comments included in the district’s release about the settlement. 

The district did not disclose how much it has spent to correct issues with the $18 million school building. Located on the southeast edge of Moses Lake and built to accommodate up to 500 students, it first opened for the 2021-22 school year. 

The district first sued Richland-based Fowler General Construction, along with Chicago-based Western Surety Company, in the spring of 2025 after closing the school and moving students and staff to other buildings across the district. Another contractor is currently documenting and conducting repairs. 

The school district claimed improper and incomplete work by Fowler, which district officials say the contractor attempted to conceal. 

Fowler has denied those claims.  

Western Surety declined to pay out the district’s claim on its insurance bond for the project. 

In October 2025, the district also sued Design West, which designed Groff as a prototype for future schools, for allegedly failing to administer the project and ensure the district was aware of problems. 

Design West denied the school district’s claims, noting in court documents the district had not cited any specific design error in connection to Groff Elementary. In early March, Grant County Superior Court Judge Jennifer R. Richardson rejected the architecture firm’s motion to dismiss it from the lawsuit. 

“The court finds that certain allegations and claims implicate (Design West Architects), its consultants, the plans and specifications, or their performance related to the work on the Groff Elementary School project,” Richardson wrote in her ruling. 

The school district will continue to press its claims against Fowler and other parties in the lawsuit.