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AMED has finally received an occupancy permit for its maintenance garage, which was initially slated to be done at the end of 2024, according to Executive Director Gary Watters.
Although AMED has received the permit, there are still punch list items to be addressed, and negotiations are ongoing to deal with issues connected with the project, according to Watters.
"We're in the process of exchanging letters" with representatives of Mid-State Construction, the contractor, Watters said. "It could end up going to mediation."
A representative of the construction company declined to comment on the situation.
Watters did not specify the issues that may need to be mediated.
One issue that created consternation during construction, however, was the discovery that the floor of the garage following the pouring of footers would be nine inches higher than the pavement of the parking lot just outside the garage, which necessitated an adjustment, so the transition between inside and outside wouldn't be too abrupt.
At the time, plans were to make the adjustment by altering the parking lot.
Three companies were potentially involved with that floor-to-parking lot discrepancy, as there were separate firms for the main building, the lot and the garage, Watters said at the time.
AMED initially spoke publicly of its plans for a garage in December 2023.
It awarded a $698,000 contract to Mid-State in June 2024.
The plans called for a 45-by-80-foot, five-bay metal building.
AMED built the garage so it can take more efficient and better care of its 34 vehicles, according to Watters.
At the time, AMED was sending those vehicles to four or five garages in the community, including one in State College, depending on "who can fit us on their schedule," Watters said.
"Getting timely access to get stuff done is difficult," he said then.
The organization has not yet hired a mechanic to work in the garage, Watters said this week.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-381-3152.