The city of Patterson issued most of the building permits for the Amazon.com building project Friday, Nov. 16, and construction is expected to begin by early next week, according to city officials.

City planner Joel Andrews confirmed Monday, Nov. 19, that most of the project’s building permits had been issued. One remained outstanding for a mezzanine inside the building, he said.

That lone permit is the only obstacle to pouring a concrete foundation for the giant fulfillment center. Those plans are expected to be ready just before Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 22, Andrews said.

The project was delayed slightly by changes made to the plans by Amazon.com officials, City Manager Rod Butler said in late October.

Butler said he had been in contact with an executive at the company’s Seattle headquarters to discuss plans for hiring workers once the building is completed. Those plans are not finalized, however, and details were not available, he said.

The State Board of Equalization, Gov. Jerry Brown’s office and Amazon.com are brokering a tax-sharing deal, Butler said.

Since a new state law went into effect Sept. 15, Internet retailers have been required to collect 7.25 percent sales tax on all purchases shipped from their warehouses to buyers in California, according to a spokesman for the State Board of Equalization. This sales tax requirement will continue when Amazon.com opens its fulfillment center in Patterson in late spring or early summer of next year.

Of the 7.25 percent tax, 6.25 percent goes to the state, and 1 percent to the city.

That 1 percent portion goes to the city from where products are shipped according to the law that was passed last year.

Contact the Irrigator at 892-6187 or news@pattersonirrigator.com.