NATCHEZ, Miss. – Plans are underway to build a Natchez City Cemetery maintenance facility with a $400,000 donation considered an essential gift for the historic burial ground’s upkeep.
The Natchez Board of Aldermen on Tuesday endorsed what’s being envisioned for the new building to replace the century-old cemetery barn that’s deemed unfit for its workers and equipment.
While the city owns the 200-year-old cemetery, a private group runs it. Cemetery association board member Liz Dantone told alderman of the $400,000 donation from the estate of Grace Manning to pay for constructing the maintenance building near the existing barn.
The cemetery association has hired architect Johnny Waycaster to design the structure and will oversee its construction. With this being a private initiative, Dantone said, the construction project will not be subject to public bidding requirements. Its design, however, must be reviewed by the Natchez Preservation Commission and state Department of Archives & History for approval.
The city allocated $84,000 this fiscal year for the cemetery’s operations to add to other revenues it gets that totals about $310,000 this year, according to a budget report presented to the Board of Aldermen. However, cemetery expenses exceed that to cause a deficit of about $50,000.
The city-owned cemetery – which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — dates back to 1822 and covers about 100 acres.
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The Board of Aldermen approved contracts Tuesday with architects for designing the renovation of two historic Duncan Park structures: the golf clubhouse and old canteen.
The restorations are part of an initiative totaling about $15 million the mayor and Board of Aldermen have in the works. Improvements are being done to city streets and structures ranging from the Natchez Convention Center to electrical fixtures at the north Broadway Street concert venue.
The Duncan Park golf clubhouse, built in 1948, is a former Navy Reserve facility and branch for the University of Southern Mississippi. Plans for the deteriorating structure call for providing country club-like accommodations and fixtures at a cost of $1 million.
The board approved a contract of $109,000 with architect Belinda Stewart for design and construction administration work.
The old canteen is on the grounds of Auburn, the city-owned mansion built in 1812 at Duncan Park. The canteen is attached to Auburn’s brick dairy, which was built in the late 1830s, according to historical accounts. The board approved a $12,000 contract with architect Johnny Waycaster for his design work for the refurbishing the building, which will be used for the city Parks & Recreation department’s office. Total construction cost is budgeted at $100,000.
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The mayor and aldermen on Tuesday honored Tony Moon, who retired in June as Natchez Water Works superintendent after seven years managing the city’s water and sewer system.
When his pending departure was announced earlier this year, Moon said he’ll miss his fellow NWW workers, who he noted are like family –“everyone helping and caring about each other while we work together to provide these critical services to our community.”
Moon began working for the city in 1993 and rose through the ranks to become head of the NWW in 2015 to replace David Gardner.
The Natchez Board of Water Commissioners appointed Jeff Gamberi to replace Moon.
While the water board oversees the NWW, the Natchez Board of Aldermen appoints its six members. Aldermen selected Bob Strader on Tuesday to fill the seat formerly held by Permelia Murphy, who died in June.
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