NATCHEZ &045; The airplanes at the Natchez-Adams County Airport are getting a new home.

Work is underway at the airport to renovate the existing hangar, which dated back to World War II. After the war the hangar was bought surplus and put at the airport where it still stands today, Airport Manager Clint Pomeroy said.

Work to update the hangar began in early December and should be complete by mid-February.

&uot;They are a little bit ahead of schedule,&uot; Pomeroy said. &uot;It’s gone easier than they thought.&uot;

Pomeroy said the update was long overdue.

&uot;It hasn’t had anything major done it since it was put up,&uot; he said. &uot;The sheet metal was rusting and deteriorating greatly and it leaked.&uot;

The airport received a grant from the multi-modal fund with the Mississippi Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the hangar.

The last of the old roof was being torn down Monday morning, and Pomeroy said the new roof would go up next.

The building will also get a fresh paint job, new corrugated sheet metal, new lighting, new outlets and new electrical service.

The entire project is estimated to cost just under $200,000, paid for by the grant.

&uot;We are just thrilled to death to get in it,&uot; Pomeroy said. &uot;People have been very patient.&uot;

Planes normally kept in the hangar have been outside during construction. Pomeroy said the hangar normally holds around 12 to 15 planes, but can hold up to 30 in emergency situations.

He said he expected the renovated hangar would last another 50 years.

&uot;We are really pleased to get it,&uot; he said. &uot;It will look new and nice and that’s what we want people to see coming into Natchez.&uot;

Waycaster Associates did the plans for the renovations and Smith Painting of Hattiesburg and Reid Metal Architects have been contracted to do the work.