Mercedes expands body shop Upgrade set for December finish Construction work at the Mercedes Benz plant in Vance is a few weeks ahead of schedule

By Patrick Rupinski Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 6:00 a.m.

Construction has slowed significantly nationally because of the recession. But in Vance, it is moving ahead.

Fairly dry weather has allowed crews building a 225,000-square-foot expansion of the body shop at the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant to get about two to three weeks ahead of schedule.

Robert Amason, owner and president of Amason & Associates Inc., the Tuscaloosa-based general contractor for the project, said about 30 percent to 35 percent of the addition's steel framing has been installed and that about 80 percent of the addition's concrete foundation is done.

Amason's contract with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International calls for the construction work to be completed by the end of December. He said about 100 people are working daily on the construction to assure the deadline is met.  Original story Tuscaloosa News