AUGUSTA -- Temporary repairs will continue to be the response for moisture problems at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles office, 101 Hospital St.

The Bureau of General Services, which advertised earlier this week for engineering proposals to replace the copper roof, has put the project on hold.

"We don't have funding identified to effect the long-term solution, so we are going to temporarily defer the search for engineering studies," said Chip Gavin, director of the Bureau of General Services. "We don't have a date when this will resume."

Gavin said moisture problems have caused wet insulation and stained ceiling tiles and walls.

"There is water in places in the building where it shouldn't be," he said. "At this stage, it is being managed. This is not a new issue."

The three-story, 70,560-square-foot building was built in 1992. Records in the city assessor's office show a $5 million assessed value.

Gavin said the moisture problems are being addressed with short-term measures by the Bureau of General Services and the Secretary of State's Office, which operates the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said 286 Bureau of Motor Vehicles employees work in the building.

Dunlap said employees are asked to report any problems immediately. "We work closely with employees in the building," he said.

Dunlap said a recent concern about possible mold in the ceiling was addressed promptly, and monitors found no environmental hazards.

"These are systemic, chronic issues that seem to defy pedestrian remedies," Dunlap said. "We've tried to stay in front of it. When we have a water issue, we isolate the area, we monitor for mold."

Bruce Hodsdon, president of Maine State Employees Association, said union workers in the building say Dunlap has "been excellent" about addressing problems in the building.

"We're replacing wet materials, Sheetrock and ceiling tiles, and renovating office areas to make sure the situation remains in check," Gavin said. "At some point, the building will require a long-term solution for the underlying problem. It would be, in all likelihood, a new roof."

Estimates for that have ranged from $600,000 to $1.5 million.

"Part of the issue with the building is that part of the water intrusion built up and isn't immediately apparent," he said.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com