Multiple projects are underway throughout Meridian after the City Council on Tuesday took action to move work forward. Projects addressed include construction of a sidewalk, changes to the Frank Cochran Center and more.

Frank Cochran Center

In its meeting, the council authorized an additional $16,248.90 to Sullivan Enterprises Inc., which is currently doing demolition work to prep the Frank Cochran Center for a planned renovation.

Architect Mark Davis, of Davis Purdy Architects, which is leading the renovation project, said workers had uncovered asbestos in the adhesive used underneath the flooring. The change order, he said, was the cost of asbestos abatement work that was required after the discovery was made.

The renovation to the Frank Cochran Center comes after fire damaged part of the building in 2019. City officials decided to take the opportunity to update the multi-purpose facility and remodel it into something that more closely meets the community’s needs.

The $3.3 million project is being paid for with a $1.2 million Capital Improvements Revolving loan, which are low interest loans for capital improvement projects available to municipalities through the Mississippi Development Authority. The city also has earmarked $1 million of a recent $5 million bond issue to renovate parks and recreation facilities and has about $800,000 in insurance money from the fire.

24th Street Sidewalks

The City Council on Tuesday also awarded a project to install a sidewalk along 24th Street to Simmons Erosion Control for a total cost of $715,237.25. The project, which has been in the works for more than 18 months, is being funded through a Transportation Alternative Program grant or TAP grant.

TAP grants are federal funds, but the Mississippi Department of Transportation is responsible for administering the money and making sure it is used correctly. The total amount of the grant was $788,671, with the city required to put in a 20% match. The grant is a reimbursable grant, meaning the city will pay for the project up front and submit receipts to the state to get the money back.

The sidewalk, which will run on the north side of the road between 23rd and 14th avenues, is aimed at improving safety for students walking to and from Magnolia Middle School.

Councilman Dwayne Davis, whose district includes the project area, said the bid was lower than the engineering estimate for the project, which was more than $800,000. With the bulk of the project being paid for by a grant, he asked if the $100,000 or so difference can be allocated toward something else.

Public Works Director David Hodge said he was doubtful that would be allowed.

The construction phase of the project is expected to begin in November with the project completed by April or May 2024.

29th Avenue Railroad Crossing

Although no council action was involved, the city announced Wednesday that a long-awaited project to improve the 29th Avenue railroad crossing had been completed. The crossing was notorious for its rough condition.

Improvements to the crossing were delayed for more than a year as legal teams from the city and Canadian Pacific Kansas City railroad worked to draw up an agreement outlining what each entity would do. The two parties reached an agreement in April with the railroad handling the construction and the city providing $175,000 to help fund the project.

The two-day overhaul included new concrete surfaces along each track as well as replacing the approaches to the crossing.

North Hills Street

Meridian officials are also looking to begin paving North Hills Street with a $3.4 million appropriation from the state Legislature to fund the work. The council on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration needed to receive the funds.

Hodge said the MOU is the last step before the city will actually get the money and be ready to start the next phase of the project. A more detailed scope of work will be presented to the council later, he said, but the current idea is to knock out some minor drainage issues along North Hill Street before bringing in the paving crews.

If everything goes according to plan, Hodge said, residents can expect to see milling and paving begin in November. The paving, which will stretch from Highway 19 to Highway 39, will take three to four weeks to complete.