LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Thursday morning, Amazon Operations Communications sent an update to employees working at Amazon LIT1.

This is the latest update after the building suspended operations in late October for structural repairs.

According to the update, the building will be closing as a review determined the structural engineering firm that designed the building made errors in the initial design of the facility.

The notice stated that there is no safe way to keep the building open, as the seismic codes are not met.

The building will have to be closed until repairs are completed, which impacts all LIT1 employees.

Amazon said it hopes to reopen the building in the future, but the repairs are expected to take a number of years.

As a result of the closing, Amazon is supporting employees through the transition by providing a 90-day pay period for all employees (through February 18, 2026).

Closing LIT1 is not what we wanted, and it’s both sad and frustrating to have to do this. But we’re always going to put safety first, and we were left with no other choice once we learned about the severity of the errors made by the structural engineering firm. We appreciate everything you’ve done for Amazon and each other, and we’ll continue working hard to support you during the transition.

A spokesperson with Amazon, Sam Stephenson, sent KATV a statement concerning the building’s closure.

After conducting a full review with outside experts, we’ve determined that the structural engineering firm that designed the LIT1 building made errors in the initial design of the facility and the building requires significant structural repairs to meet seismic codes and ensure the safety of our team members. There’s no safe way to keep the building open during these repairs, and we’re left with no choice but to shut it down, which unfortunately impacts our entire team at LIT1. We’re working to support our teammates in either finding a new role at Amazon or another company and offering a transitional period with 90 days of full pay and six months of existing medical benefits, as well as a dedicated support team on the ground. We’ll also provide severance to those who aren’t able to find a new role at Amazon.

In addition to a 90-day pay period with six months of existing medical benefits, impacted employees will receive early notice of opportunities to apply for roles at LIT3 and LIT1 before reopening.

Amazon will also:

• Offer transfer opportunities for as many full-time employees as possible at other sites. For employees who choose to relocate to a role more than 50 miles from their home, we’ll provide a relocation assistance payment.
• If Amazon is unable to help an employee secure a new role within the company, they will be provided with a severance package, including a lump sum payment, six months of existing medical benefits, and transitional support to help in looking for new roles. Amazon will also continue to provide support for Career Choice for any Amazon employee currently enrolled in the program through 2026.