By Jennifer Jacob Brown / jbrown@themeridianstar.com
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN — After suffering years of delays, Meridian Finance and Records Director Ed Skipper said that the final phase of City Hall renovation is on schedule so far.
Skipper said the building is scheduled to open in February 2011 if all goes well.
Right now, Skipper said, workers are currently constructing a mechanical building for the HVAC system, completing ductwork and conduit, pulling up flooring to prep for inlay, and beginning prep work for the finishes inside the building.
He said the concrete floor for the second stairwell and the basic steel structure for the fire stairs have already been completed.
"This phase is going pretty good," said Skipper. "It's on schedule at this point ... I think people are really going to be surprised when they see it."
The building, because it is listed on the national register of historic places, is undergoing historically accurate renovation, but with modern conveniences. The building will have mahogany windows, scaglia columns, and intricate moulding, among other things, restoring it to its original 1911 condition.
"It will be a museum quality building, but still being used for its original purpose," Skipper said.
Meeting Minutes
The Meeting: Meridian City Council. Tuesday, March 16, 2010.
Top Story
Wastewater treatment: After going into a closed meeting to discuss pending litigation, the council voted to allow the mayor to negotiate with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality regarding Meridian's wastewater collection. Meridian Chief Administrative Officer Mark McDonald said MDEQ fined Meridian because wastewater had been dumped into Sowashee Creek as a result of wastewater treatment lines that need to be replaced. McDonald said the mayor was informed of the situation on her first day in office, and for the past eight months, MDEQ has been preparing paperwork. He said the lines will be replaced.
What Happened
Threefoot building: Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry said after the meeting that there are no plans as of now for the Threefoot building, but that, "We're looking at all our options". She said she has been talking with both local and out-of-town developers about the matter, and said there is a need for a hotel with a banquet room downtown.
Court fines: The council approved an agreement with a company that will allow anyone to pay their municipal court fines, such as traffic tickets, online or over the phone with their credit or debit cards. The online service will be available 24/7.
Two-way streets: Barry said plans to two-way some of Meridian's one way streets are moving along, with plans for two-waying the frontage roads, 22nd Avenue, and 23rd Avenue being considered.
Sales tax revenue: Barry said sales tax revenue is down $375,304.27, fiscal year to date.
Hunting in the city: The council made amendments to how hunting in the city limits is governed, with hunting being restricted to bow-hunting in agricultural zones with a special use permit only.
Annexed fire department: Barry said the city is still "actively looking for property" for a new fire department for the annexed area of Meridian.
