BETHESDA'S HMSHost

FILES LAWSUIT

TO HALT MD TRAVEL

PLAZA CONTRACT AWARD

As expected, Bethesda hospitality firm HMSHost has asked for a legal injunction in the Montgomery County Circuit Court to stop the awarding of I-95 travel plaza contracts to Areas USA.

Areas USA, a subsidiary of a Spanish company, is set to have its $56 million contract voted on by the Maryland Board of Public Works on February 22.

HMSHost and Airport Plazas LLC/Tishman Construction have formally complained that the state did not have a fully transparent bidding process. Neither was allowed to counter Areas' final offer, according to the companies, and they've raised questions about the accuracy of the winning bid's financial projections.