Aldermen approve road paving bid; work to begin in Sept.

By Adam Koob (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, July 23, 2008

NATCHEZ — On Tuesday evening the Natchez Board of Aldermen accepted a bid that ultimately gives the go-ahead for work to begin on a major street resurfacing project in the city.

The aldermen accepted the lone bid on the project from W.E. Blain and Sons for $1,298,208.60.

The acceptance of the bid brought joyful remarks from nearly all of the aldermen.

Once work is completed Homochitto, Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Catherine Streets will all have new surfaces.

Mayor Jake Middleton said he was pleased to see the project making progress.

City Engineer David Gardner said before any actual work will be done to the streets several meetings and inspections will take place.

So work won’t likely begin until Sept. 1 and will take up to 10 weeks to complete.

“It’s a big project,” Gardner said. “But the work really needs to be done.”

In a letter of intent sent to the city in May, the state legislature announced funding would be provided for the overlay project.

Alderman Tony Fields said he and his fellow board members were excited to see the project beginning.

“It’s something we needed,” he said. “It’s going to make a big difference.”

In other news Middleton announced the his office will be accepting résumés from those who believe they are qualified to serve on the Natchez-Adams School District Board of Trustees.

Several weeks ago board member Matilda Stephens resigned from her position on the board as vice president. Middleton said the last résumés will be accepted two weeks from Tuesday.

Those interested in the position can leave a resume at Natchez City Hall.

Aldermen Bob Pollard also alerted the board to Natchez’s first place rankings in Mississippi Magazine’s 2008 Best Of Mississippi issue.

Pollard said the Cock of the Walk Restaurant won first place for best cornbread in the state and the city itself won first place for best day trip.