NATCHEZ, Miss. – Private donors are being sought to help fund the renovation of the city-owned Duncan Park Golf Clubhouse.
Construction costs have soared above the $500,000 originally earmarked in 2021 by the Natchez Board of Aldermen for the historic structure’s refurbishment.
Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson is asking people to contribute money to match $50,000 that an anonymous local donor has committed as city officials aim at a final $100,000 needed to get the project started.
“Even if you are not a golfer, this is a much-needed economic driver that will help attract residents, businesses and conventions,” states an e-mailed solicitation from the mayor.
Interested donors can go to a website that’s been set up for contributions: https://givebutter.com/I6AB3s
Natchez aldermen have had to turn down contractors’ bids twice for the project in recent months because their costs busted the budget. New construction bids are being presented for the mayor and aldermen to review next month.
The board agreed in November to increase the amount of money budgeted to renovate the clubhouse. The amount allocated includes money the board borrowed in 2021 through bonds and the additional private donations.
Plans for the deteriorating structure have called for it to be outfitted with country club-like accommodations and fixtures at a cost of more than $1 million. The city has contracted north Mississippi architect Belinda Stewart, a historic preservation specialist, as project designer.
Built in 1948 as a U.S. Navy Reserve facility, the Duncan Park building is a state-designated historic Mississippi Landmark. It became a branch of the University of Southern Mississippi and eventually was converted into the golf facility that’s now in disrepair.
I don’t remember the board agreeing to increase the amount budgeted to renovate the clubhouse. I know it was on the agenda twice in June but it was postponed and then just not discussed in the next one. $1 million club house? This isn’t New York City! What about the $2.1 million bond for recreation? Where did that money go? Trump got the embassy in Jerusalem for less than that.
They approved to readvertise this renovation project.
Duncan Golf Pro Shop Renovation Phase I
2021 Rec GOB & 2022 Capital Improvements GOB
Staff, in concert w/our consulting architect Belinda Stewart Associates is requesting
a motion to readvertise this renovation project.
This was readvertised on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15. They don’t give a limit. So it’ll get rejected again.
The project started with the 2021 GO Bond and the 2022 $2.1 bond was for Recreation. Then they did an interfund transfer to Capital Outlay for these funds as well as the 2022 Bond of $6.02 million for the Bridge and Roads Project. These were not general obligation bonds. They were advertised for these specific uses. Where did the money go? The mayor concede that bridge project would not happen but he is going to keep the $500k that the State sent to us for that purpose only. He said at a board meeting that he wasn’t going to give it back. That sounds crooked to me.