A lawsuit in Weber County against what was once one of the state’s fastest growing general contractors will move forward after a judge denied a motion to dismiss claims of fraud.
Last week, an Ogden judge rejected a handful of motions filed on behalf of the Makers Line construction company and other companies associated with Q Factor, the now-defunct company overseen by H. Jason Winkler that abruptly collapsed in 2023. The company built notable projects like Industry SLC and other buildings in the Granary District, along with projects in other states.
The owners of Q Factor operated a number of companies under its umbrella, including the construction company Makers Line.
The ruling is the latest development in a lawsuit filed in January 2024. Development company Summa Terra sued Makers Line over two multifamily projects in Ogden, the Union Walk and Hunter’s Landing buildings. Among other claims, Summa Terra alleged that Makers Line knowingly used non-fire treated lumber to frame both buildings, which led to Ogden City issuing stop work orders.
The Union Walk building, which was built along the city’s Historic 25th Street, was ultimately torn down.
On March 31, court records say attorneys met in court for oral arguments to discuss a number of motions. 2nd District Judge Reuben Renstrom ultimately issued the written ruling on April 22.
In the order, Renstrom ruled that Makers Line must comply with discovery requests within 14 days, rejecting the company’s efforts to pause discovery. Attorneys for Q Factor had sought to delay fulfilling discovery requests until liability issues against Makers Line had been resolved, but Renstrom rejected that premise.
“The Court concludes that creating an exception here for the Q Factor Defendants would improperly delay the orderly progress of the action, risk duplicative discovery, and prejudice Plaintiffs’ ability to develop their claims,” Renstrom’s April 22 order says.
The Union Walk building on 25th Street in Ogden, pictured here on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Photo by Jacob Scholl | Building Salt Lake
Makers Line had also filed motions to dismiss fraud claims levied by Summa Terra, though Renstrom also rejected those arguments in his order.
The court previously dismissed Summa Terra’s fraud claims after the Makers Line attorneys successfully argued the complaint lacked specificity. However, Summa Terra amended its fraud allegations in January with more specifics, which prompted defendants’ attorneys to again file a motion to dismiss.
Renstrom rejected the defendant’s motion, allowing those fraud claims to continue.
Renstrom’s April 22 order allows Summa Terra’s allegations of fraud and financial misconduct against Makers Line to continue forward. Discovery requests that have gone unfilled in the past now have a deadline set by the presiding judge.
In a statement, Summa Terra Ventures CEO Michael P. Watson praised Renstrom’s rulings.
“This ruling is a major step forward,” Watson said in an email to Building Salt Lake. “We have consistently maintained that the facts would withstand scrutiny, and the Court’s decision confirms that our claims are both substantial and well-founded. We look forward to full discovery and to continuing to pursue accountability through the legal process.”
An email to H. Jason Winkler and attorneys seeking comment was not immediately returned Monday.
Following its demolition, the Union Walk building was rebuilt and is nearing completion and “should receive a certificate of occupancy in the coming weeks,” according to an email from Watson, the Summa Terra CEO. He added the building’s waiting list has over 20 tenants. Union Walk will feature studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Hunter’s Landing, which is located at 407 W. 12th Street in Ogden, received its certificate of occupancy last July, and is nearing stabilization, Watson said.
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