Editor’s note: The original version of this story contained an incorrect figure for Interim Police Chief Danny White’s salary increase, which was incorrectly stated during the Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting. The updated version is correct.

NATCHEZ — The city-owned depot housing the Cock of the Walk and Old South Trading Post could use some sprucing up before it falls down, aldermen agreed.

“That’s a clay tile roof, (and) it’s going to rot,” Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard said Tuesday.

“The only thing holding it up is…the heavy timber frame.”

The aldermen discussed during the finance session, prior to their regular meeting the depot and other potential projects they would like to lobby for during an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C..

But in order to qualify for grants to fix the historic building, the building cannot house for-profit businesses, Dillard said.

Both the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Mississippi Department of Transportation disqualified the project because of the operation of the private businesses, Dillard and City Engineer David Gardner said.

Gardner said the city can reapply for a grant next year.

If the depot did not house the gift shop and restaurant, Gardner said, he was confident it would get approved.

“If it didn’t have for-profit businesses it would be a slam-dunk,” Gardner said.

In order to qualify, the depot must house a public facility, like a museum, restrooms or a visitor’s center, he said.

Dillard said he believed one of the businesses has not been covering their expenses.

“If we have to put it out then that’s what we’ll do,” Dillard said.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis asked about options the city had to offer businesses in the event that they relocate.

“I hate to see the businesses go out,” Mathis said.

“(The Old South Trading Post) is a real good draw for tourism here.”

Arceneaux-Mathis suggested the city look into other city properties with high visibility where the businesses could relocate.

Mayor Jake Middleton said he would contact the mayors of Greenville and Meridian because those cities used grant funds to refurbish similar buildings.

Middleton said he would also contact the Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District to discuss other grant options.

Middleton said the buildings operated by the group that manages the Convention Center and Grand Hotel might be a possible location to relocate the depot businesses.

“We know what we’ve got to do to get the depot in the shape it needs to get it in,” Middleton said.

Arceneaux-Mathis made a motion to request a meeting of the aldermen and the Adams County Board of Supervisors to develop a lobbying strategy prior to the trip to Washington, D.C.

“Let’s (lobby the projects) as a package,” Arceneaux-Mathis said.

The board passed the motion unanimously.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

-During regular session, the board voted unanimously to give Natchez Interim Police Chief Danny White a raise of $3,000 increase to his annual salary while he serves in the interim chief capacity.

White said he was earning a salary of $44,290 prior to the increase.

Ward 2 Alderman Rickey Gray said the board gave the same increase to the interim fire chief, and Middleton said the aldermen gave the same increase to the interim recreation department head.

-Middleton said his administration has been negotiating a lease to allow Premier Gaming — the group developing the Magnolia Bluff Casino on Roth Hill — to rent office space on the second floor of the Council Chambers building.

Middleton said the rent money would be invested to repair the exterior of the council chambers and to paint and install new carpet upstairs.

Premier Gaming will likely rent the second floor for approximately a year during construction and use it as office space and training, said Middleton’s administrative assistant, Temple Hendricks.

-The aldermen approved the fifth change order of the North Natchez Drainage Project, which cost $215,863.

The total cost of the project has increased to $2.9 million, which is up from the original bid of $2.5 million since construction began.

“Hopefully this is the last change order, but I can’t promise it,” Gardner said.

Gardner said the contractor continues to uncover decades- or centuries-old unmapped infrastructure resulting in complications and change orders.

“It’s been a rocky road to get to this point,” Gardner said.

Despite the change orders, the project is still under budget, he said.

-The board gave the administration authority to execute a contract with the contractor awarded the bid for replacement of municipal roofs.

The project will replace roofs at the Natchez Police Department, Fire Station No. 2, the Senior Citizens Center and the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture Building.

-In light of the retirement of Traffic Supervisor Rick Freeman, the board agreed to advertise for two positions in the traffic department.

The city will advertise for a new traffic supervisor and for a traffic technician.

The current traffic technician, Curtis Norton, will serve as interim traffic supervisor, and his position will be advertised in the event that he is hired as permanent supervisor.

-Dillard requested all board members receive a copy for the record of the Mississippi Gaming Commission minutes from the Oct. 27 meeting in which Premier Gaming received approval to proceed with development.

-City Clerk Donnie Holloway said the city has received 13 applicants for the city’s first IT position. A board-appointed technology committee will narrow down the applicants they suggest the aldermen interview, Holloway said.