-
Kiralp -
Lien Notice
Continued investigation by The Examiner has uncovered nearly $1 million in additional debts owed by the prospective 555 Main St. building buyer – the man whose proposal made city councilors nix their plan for the space.
An exclusive report in July published by the paper revealed the self-proclaimed “one in a million” developer Selim Kiralp, 37, of Istanbul, Turkey, owes approximately $20,000 to two Texas tax offices for his home and second property. According to a pair of lien affidavits signed by the Jefferson County Clerk and reviewed by The Examiner, Selim Kiralp Investments LLC owes $952,504.31 to Cooley Construction LLC, a Magnolia-based construction company he conscripted to build his first Beaumont development, an apartment complex near Lamar University.
According to a lien notice sent to Kiralp in March 2021, the developer’s debt is for an “unpaid balance for goods, materials and services furnished … “ relating to his unfinished West Cardinal Drive property – The Palms at Cardinal.
Calls to Kiralp’s business and cell phones went unanswered Aug. 16.
Prior to sitting down with Kiralp in July, The Examiner uncovered approximately $19,847 in back taxes he owes to McLennan and Denton counties – something about which he initially claimed to know “nothing.”
The man spoke openly about his plans for the former AT&T building. However, when asked about past projects he supposedly completed in Turkey, his candor turned to a string of conversational diversions, offering, “I’d rather not say,” and, “Is it OK if I don’t answer that?”
As revealed in July, Kiralp bought a lot at 1030 West Cardinal Drive in 2019 in an effort to build “The Palms at Cardinal,” a 100-unit apartment complex that would cater to Lamar students. Construction progress dwindled to a standstill, and a lawsuit still lingers over the heads of the first contracting company he hired to complete the job.
Video surveillance reviewed by The Examiner, provided by evercam.com, shows progress made on the property from Sept. 18, 2020, through Dec. 15, 2020. Despite saying the project was moving along smoothly, multiple trips by The Examiner to the site over the past five months indicate little-to-no progress has been made since the end of 2020.
According to information from Beaumont officials, an official request for proposal will be ready for 555 Main St. by Aug. 19, which will open the property up to bids.