After a long and difficult construction process, Miami’s Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science opened to the public last May. However, with only the first phase of the major attraction completed, more problems are arising, with construction firm Skanska filing a lawsuit against the museum.

With the US$300m (€244.5m, £213.6m) building project facing so many financial shortfalls over the years, the contractor alleges it was not paid for work as the not-for-profit organisation tried to save money.

Skanska alleges the museum then wanted the firm to finish remaining construction work for no fee, having stopped making payments for the work in November.

“The public is enjoying Downtown Miami’s newest museum, but the workers who built the building haven’t been paid in full for their labour. Skanska and its subcontractors — including many small and local businesses — are owed millions,” Skanska USA general manager Michael Brown said in a statement.

The museum says Skanska was responsible for finishing the remaining work under the terms of the contract.

Former contractor Suffolk Construction is also suing the museum.