Mediation is underway between the city of Pontiac and the owners of Ottawa Towers.  The two groups are attempting to settle a $14 million lawsuit related to the Phoenix Center amphitheater and parking garage.

The owners of the Ottawa Towers, which are located adjacent to the Phoenix Center, filed for $9 million in damage claims in 2014 after an order was given to tear down the center.  The city asked the state to lift the tear-down order, but while the situation was sorted through, Ottawa Towers’ owners raised their claim to $14 million.

The first round of mediation was unsuccessful, but the courts have agreed to allow a second round of mediation, “My commitment is not to tear it down and we have been able to carry through on that.  The court has agreed with our thought that we should go into mediation and be able to come to some satisfactory deal for the citizens. ”

Waterman claims to be optimistic that a resolution is possible, but was unable to give too many specifics.  The initial round of mediation took place before Waterman was in office and she was hoping that all of the work parties have done thus far to explore every single option available could result in an outcome that is satisfactory to everyone.

There is currently no timeline for resolving the matter, but the judge involved in monitoring the case and is involved in ongoing discussion with the mediator about any progress that might be made in the matter.