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DAVID KARPTwelve years ago, a city official got some personal help from Ryan Construction - a company now being investigated by the FBI.
TAMPA - Kim Norquist had given himself four days to finish a second-floor addition to his Davis Islands house.
His father-in-law, his brother-in-law and his friends were all pitching in. But time was running out.
"I needed to call in the cavalry," he said.
He knew just whom to call: Dean Ryan Construction.
Norquist, a city official who awarded work to contractors, had given city jobs to Ryan Construction many times. He liked the company's reputation.
"Dean, at the time, was a friend of the city," Norquist said. "I respected him."
To help, Ryan dispatched four or five laborers to work about two days on the house on Adalia Avenue. Norquist paid them a total of $500.
"They basically saved my life," Norquist said. "I was in need. I was in bad shape."
The work done in 1991, more than 12 years ago, shows a long association between Ryan and the city housing department, which FBI agents are now investigating.
FBI agents interviewed Norquist this month, days after the St. Petersburg Times reported on Norquist's handling of a bid between Ryan Construction and another construction company.
Ryan Construction has been at the center of a federal investigation into former city housing chief Steve LaBrake. Ryan Construction helped build a luxury house in South Tampa for LaBrake.
In 1991, Norquist did not think using Ryan Construction in the pinch would create a conflict with his official duties. "At that time, it didn't seem to be a problem," Norquist said. "Today, with you asking these questions, I would go to Timbuktu" for a contractor.
Newly appointed economic development administrator Mark Huey said Norquist made a mistake. "It's poor judgment made under stress," Huey said. "It's not reflective of a pattern."
Norquist won't be disciplined, he said.
"This is the only time he has used them, and I don't think he will use them in the future," Huey said.
City officials should not hire contractors if they're in a position to award them government work, he said.
In June, the city suspended Ryan Construction from government work because the company built a city-backed house on the wrong lot.
Before then, Ryan did excellent work, Norquist said. The contractor was willing to take jobs in dangerous, low-income neighborhoods that others would pass over.
"We don't have people beating down the door to do this work," Norquist said. "I would call it like pulling teeth."
- David Karp can be reached at 226-3376 or karp@sptimes.com