NATCHEZ — The first phase of the Natchez Trails Project moved one step closer to groundbreaking Tuesday as the Natchez Board of Aldermen awarded a $1.6 million contract to Camo Construction Co. of Vidalia.

Camo Construction, which submitted the lowest bid of $1,609,694.75, was among seven contractors vying for the project.

The project’s first phase — a $2.9 million venture — has been fully funded via government earmarks, matching grants and private contributions totaling $380,000, City Engineer and Trails Project Chairman David Gardner said.

The first phase includes 5.6 miles of trails along Broadway, High, Rankin, Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. streets. Interpretive signs outlining the city’s history will accent the route.

Trails will also stretch along three tiers down Broadway Street, Silver Street, Roth Hill Road, Learned Mill Road and the bank of the river. A timber bridge will travel through the wooded area on the bluff.

Other plans include constructing a brick plaza with seating and a pavilion adjacent to Cock of the Walk on Broadway Street. Gardner said the plaza will ultimately serve as the trail head.

The Delta Region Transportation Development Program awarded $607,623 to the trails project in November.

The amount has been allocated for the project’s second phase, which will stretch along St. Catherine Street, the Forks of the Road, Liberty Road and end at Natchez Trace Parkway. Interpretive signs noting the city’s black history will dot the recreational route, Gardner said.

Other contractors who submitted bids included Quality Design Construction LLC ($2,291,591.50) Southern Rock LLC of Brandon ($2,135,007), Southwest Design & Landscaping LLC of Summit ($2,035,014), Mayrant & Associates LLC of Jackson ($2,108,041.75), Dozer Inc. LLC of Natchez ($3,301,651.15) and Fenton Rigging & Contracting Inc of Cincinnati, Ohio ($1,968,142).

In other business:

4 The aldermen unanimously voted to reduce fees at Duncan Park Golf Course effective Feb. 1.

Weekday rates be reduced from $16 to $12 for adults, $13 to $9 for seniors age 55 and older and $4 to $2 for juniors age 17 and younger.

The Twilight 9 hole rate will be reduced from $12 to $8 for adults, $10 to $6 for seniors and $3 to $1 for juniors. Weekend and holiday rates, golf cart fees and tournament fees will also be reduced.

Recreation Director Ralph Tedder said the reduced costs are part of an effort to encourage more youth and family golf play. The recreation department projected 12,000 rounds of golf would be played in 2008-2009, but only 9,350 rounds were played.

Tedder said new fees gives Natchez a competitive edge among other municipal golf courses.

“Like Alderman Dan Dillard said, ‘We’re going to be the Walmart of golf fees,’” Tedder said.

-Pearl Street Pasta was named business of the month for January.

-The aldermen presented certificates of appreciation to Trinity Episcopal Day School football team, the 2009 MAIS Class A state champions. Certificates were also presented to Trinity’s coaching staff and cheerleaders.

“You guys are the best of best. Don’t ever forget that,” Mayor Jake Middleton told the team. “You showed them boys from Arkansas what football is all about.”

-The aldermen unanimously voted to appoint retired educator Joyce Johnson the Armstrong Library Board of Trustees.

-The aldermen unanimously voted to approve trips to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with the state’s congressional delegation in February and a National League of Cities conference in March. In an effort to reduce spending, the aldermen will choose which trip better fits their schedule. The aldermen agreed they cannot make both trips.

-The aldermen unanimously voted to reschedule their Jan. 26 meeting to 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at the City Council Chambers on Pearl Street.