Alderwoman Elizabeth Thomas said she hopes the city council will consider accepting a donation that could possibly lead to the future location of the inactive local Boys and Girls Club.
During Monday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, Thomas presented the idea to the city council based on a seven-month communication with Phil Pope of Super 10 Enterprises, who owns the now-empty building at 508 North Washington Street in Yazoo City, the former Super 10 store.
“Back in January, I started a conversation with Mr. Pope,” Thomas said. “Last week, he reached back out, and he wanted to know if the city would accept $325,000 as the donated value of this property, which is the current asking price of the property. They needed to know if we were willing to accept it. This building would be the city of Yazoo City’s building.”
Thomas said the building could serve as the possible new location of the Yazoo Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club. The local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club closed its doors at the former Yazoo City Junior High School in spring of 2024 due to safety concerns. Since then, the club’s operation and future have been in limbo as a new location is being scouted for the local chapter.
During Monday’s meeting, Thomas made a motion to accept the donation. However, Board Attorney Lilli Evans-Bass advised the board to hold the vote until the next meeting to allow her time to review the necessary documents.
“I don’t think it is a problem, but I would ask that you not vote on it until the next meeting in order for me to do some due diligence on the property and the value of the property since there is a request to accept it with a certain value,” Evans-Bass said.
Thomas said the building serves as the perfect location in downtown Yazoo City for the possible future home of the Boys and Girls Club. The site is within proximity to the Triangle Cultural Center, which houses an auditorium. It is within walking distance of the Ricks Memorial Library, which could provide additional resources. She added that the donation acceptance would benefit both the club and the city.
“This donation represents more than just a building transfer,” Thomas said. “It’s an investment in our children’s future and a testament to what can be accomplished when businesses and local government work together for the greater good.”
Thomas said she remains hopeful that the board’s vote will be taken on Sept. 22, and that the Boys and Girls Club would express interest in the partnership.
Evans-Bass said if the Boys and Girls Club expressed interest in the site, it would be handled similarly as with the last location with the club and the city in a sublease agreement.
“That is great news,” said Mayor David Starling. “That is awesome. That is absolutely awesome.”
“You need to bring something every meeting if you are going to be happy like that,” added Alderman Charlie Jenkins, to Thomas, with a smile.
