Arbitrators to open regional office

PROVIDENCE — The American Arbitration Association plans to open a Northeast Case Management Center in Providence in the summer of 2001. In announcing its plans, the association said the center would administer all construction and commercial cases originating in New England as well as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Michigan. The center will employ about 150 staff members, adding more than three dozen new positions in the Northeast region. The facility will also include a new Mass Claims Center, the association announced. The American Arbitration Association is a not-for-profit public service organization for the resolution of disputes through arbitration, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, democratic elections and other voluntary procedures. The announcement said the association would be leasing 40,000 square feet of office space in Providence for its new office.