A NASCAR driver's interest in going green may end up costing some contractors.

Nearly a dozen companies involved in building a new race shop for Kyle Busch say they have filed liens or intend to file liens because they are collectively owed about $1 million for work done on a high-tech headquarters built for Busch in Mooresville.

The project's general contractor, L.B. Builders Construction Group, owns the building and has been in mediation with Busch's attorneys this week.

Busch was supposed to buy the building but has delayed the purchase because the final price tag was more than expected. The subcontractors say that's because the young multimillionaire NASCAR driver wanted a top-of-the-line, LEED-certified building and ordered upgrades during construction.

L.B. Builders' attorney, Robert Newkirk, said the groups have made "a lot of progress" in their meetings and are "hopefully moving toward a closing."

Busch's attorney, David Senter, said both sides are optimistic the issue can be resolved within the next 30 days or so.

But the subcontractors told the Observer they worry they'll be asked to settle for less payment than they've been promised.

While some have filed mechanic's liens against L.B. Builders, they must file a lawsuit to enforce the lien, which takes more time and money. A lien attaches to the property and structures. Until the debt is paid, the property owner does not own a clear title.

Charles Elks of Mechanical Equipment Sales Inc. of Virginia Beach said he has had to take out a mortgage on his house to pay his vendors and stay in business while waiting for his payment. His company provided the design and hardware for the property's geothermal heating and cooling system. He says he's owed about $450,000.

"It's got all the bells and whistles," Elks said. "One vendor threatened to sue me (for nonpayment). We don't have the money. We're a small business. It's simply not fair."

The state-of-the-art, LEED-certified race shop was built to be the new home for Kyle Busch Motorsports' two-truck NASCAR Camping World Truck Series operation. The Sprint Cup guaranteed salary for Busch, who currently drives the No. 18 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, is worth several million dollars per season.

"It could kill us," Bruce Martel, owner of A-1 Glass & Aluminum, said about the possibility of his company not being paid $100,000 he says he is owed.

And Steve Savino, Northeast Division Credit Manager with Rexel, an electrical suppliers distributor, said his company is owed $400,000 for items such as electrical fixtures, LED lights and other energy-saving devices. The building's interior lights are body-heat activated.

As for the payment disputes, Senter said it's up to L.B. Builders to pay its subcontractors. Newkirk said L.B. Builders expects it will talk to the subcontractors during the next 30 days to "bring them into the picture."

New deals

An industrial building at 107 Parr Drive, Huntersville, was sold by CCC Building Supply to AdvantaClean for $2.35 million. AdvantaClean plans to utilize the 20,809-square-foot building for its executive headquarters and a workshop for hands-on technical training.

Piedmont Properties /CORFAC International's A. Scott Hensley and Steve Gentry represented the seller and procured the purchaser.

A former Recreational Warehouse location at 5112 Central Ave. was sold by CTC Associates of Charlotte to Victor Baklayan of West Palm Beach, Fla., for $750,000. Baklayan plans to upgrade the building - 27,673 square feet - and open a shoe warehouse. Jim Plyler and Steve Gentry of Piedmont Properties represented the seller; Peter Potemkim of Prudential Carolinas Realty represented the buyer.

And private-label, fresh-food manufacturer MG Foods Inc. bought a building with 12,800 square feet at 1907 Gateway Blvd. from Phillip Hooker and West Ritchie of Charlotte for $635,000. Lester Osborn and A. Scott Hensley of Piedmont Properties procured the buyer, and Chuck Paxton of Carolina Homes and Land Realty represented the seller.

Keystone Partners has leased 40,000 square feet at 3030 Planters Place to Charlotte Bay Trading Company. The distribution company is expanding and moving from a smaller space on North Tryon Street.

Brad Cherry with Keystone Partners represented Charlotte Bay Trading Company. Warren Snowden with Commercial Carolina represented the landlord.

And Childress Klein Properties has leased 12,108 square feet to K&W Cafeteria at Tower Place Festival Shopping Center in Pineville. John Dosser, marketing principal for Childress Klein Properties retail division, represented the shopping center's owner, Tisano Realty Inc., in this transaction. K&W has plans to open by fall.