A construction contractor and the city of Middleton together scored a victory in court over the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, but that result cost the company about three times as much.

Bret Newcomb could forestall further legal action against his company by pushing ahead as quickly as possible with the construction of a Middleton public works building.

In suing the city of Middleton over its bidding procedures, the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin is doing something it has not done in at least two decades.

When Middleton officials stipulated that only members of a particular trade group could build a proposed public works garage using a method known as tilt-up concrete, the city limited the number of companies that could compete for the work.

Dane County Judge Peter Anderson has extended until at least May 5 a temporary restraining order barring the construction of a public works building in Middleton following a daylong hearing in a lawsuit against the city.