NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen began the process Tuesday for funding $13 million in upgrades for Natchez streets, the convention center, city auditorium, recreation buildings and other city-owned facilities.
These improvements will be mostly financed by borrowing money through bonds issued by the city partly repaid with the city’s special tourism tax imposed at hotels and restaurants.
Mayor Dan Gibson expressed hopes funds and plans for the various projects will be ready soon so construction can be underway by early 2023.
The mayor and aldermen on Tuesday reviewed and approved steps being used to finance the various city construction priorities. They include:
— $6 million to improve city streets;
— $5.3 million to enhance the city’s three meeting venues: the Natchez Convention Center, City Auditorium and the newly renamed Civic Center formerly known as the Community Center;
— $1 million to complete the ongoing renovations of the Duncan Park Golf Clubhouse and North Natchez Youth Center;
— $200,000 to refurbish Natchez fire stations;
— $150,000 to relocate Natchez-Adams County’s E-911 emergency dispatching operations to the Natchez police station;
— $200,000 for electrical installations at the north Broadway Street lawn used for concerts;
— $150,000 for developing the planned Hiram Revels Plaza at St. Catherine Street to honor the United States’ first black congressman, who was from Natchez and served in the U.S. Senate from 1870-71.
Other projects on the list presented by the mayor and aldermen bring the total estimated costs to $13.3 million.
With two years left in their terms of office, Gibson said he and aldermen want “to make the most of the time given us.”
He said no tax increases are needed to pay for this as more economic activities are generating extra revenues for the city.
“The city of Natchez is in very good financial condition,” the mayor said.
He noted the city will in two years be paying off debts from bonds used to finance the construction of the convention center, which opened in 2002. The revenues from tourism sales taxes used for this can continue to be earmarked for renovating the convention center.
Gibson said he and city aldermen are planning to devote $6 million for street projects that should be completed in 2023. Morgantown Road and Silver Street top the list of thoroughfares to be improved. Others are to be identified later.
City officials will also be drawing up plans for the $3 million upgrade of the 20-year-old Natchez Convention Center to help lure more conferences to Natchez. Another $2 million, Gibson said, is to be allocated to renovate City Auditorium. Better audio-video equipment, lighting and restroom facilities are among the renovation needs identified.
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