The zoo did not pay $2 million of the total $40 million construction cost to Harris, citing unfinished work on the project that zoo officials have declined to reveal, according to published reports.

Harris Construction got into hot water with unpaid subcontractors, who first reported the dispute to the media in October.

In a letter to subcontractors, David P. Parkes, president and CEO of Fresno-based Harris Construction, said the firm was working to resolve the issue so subcontractors could be paid.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corp. board of directors finalized an agreement at a closed meeting Thursday night.

“The Fresno Chaffee Zoo and Harris Construction have worked collaboratively to resolve those issues and have finalized an agreement whereby Harris Construction and its subcontractors will be paid,” according to a joint statement from Harris and the zoo.

Since the African Adventure exhibit’s opening in October 2015, more than one million people have visited to see exhibits that include lions, African elephants and rhinos.