WOODVILLE &045; With a $131,750 Delta Regional Authority grant in hand, Woodville aldermen discussed three possible locations for a new multi-purpose community center at their regular meeting on Tuesday.

The three sites, all currently for sale, include the old Wilkinson County High School property fronting Moore and Depot Streets; the former Seven Day Wholesale Co. property at the corner of Depot and Third South Streets; and the former Ace Hardware building at the corner of Royal Oak Extension and Water streets.

Alderman Gene Loftin favors locating the center on the former Seven Day Wholesale property.

&uot;There is a lot of old timber in those buildings that people will buy.

I’ve had someone offer to demolish the buildings at no cost to salvage the timber. It’s a golden opportunity to get rid of an eyesore in this town,&uot; Loftin said.

The board agreed to continue gathering information about the three sites for discussion at their next meeting.

The grant, awarded in April, requires a $10,000 in matching funds.

Plans for the multi-purpose center include offices for the police department, a municipal courtroom and a small jail, as well as a public meeting room and conference rooms.

In a related matter, board members voted not to renew any leases for the neighborhood facility building in 2004.

&uot;We can’t continue to operate the neighborhood facility and a new community center, too,&uot; Alderman David Smith said.

The board has offered to donate the property to the AJFC Community Action Head Start Program, which currently leases space in the building.

The board also voted 4-0 &045; contingent on warranty provisions &045; to purchase a new dump truck from Parks Chevrolet of New Orleans.

Parks submitted the only two bids on the purchase, and the board accepted the low bid of $37,301.

Due to the upcoming municipal convention, the board’s July meeting has been rescheduled for 5 p.m. July 8.