Two of Yazoo City’s most recognizable historic buildings are getting much-needed repairs.
The Triangle Cultural Center and City Hall are getting work done that will extend the life and improve the appearance of the buildings.
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen awarded the contract to repair the roof of the Triangle building Monday.
Building Inspector Russ Carter said an inspection uncovered the causes of the water leaks that have become major problems at the Triangle.
“There are areas around the chimneys that need to be repaired and a portion of the ridge cap on one of the wings of the building is off,” Carter said. “That’s part of the reason for the leak. The gutters also must be repaired because they are leaking into the brick, and then the water is going into the building. That’s what is causing the mildew issues.”
Carter said the company went ahead and replaced around 2,000 screws that needed new washers while assessing the needs of the roof.
“That’s usually pretty expensive, but they did it while they were up there,” Carter said.
The board also awarded a contract to Dunbar Henry for painting and repairs at the Triangle at a cost of $11,475 using funds provided by the Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Repairs continue at City Hall, and Carter said that repairing the building’s internal gutters is a priority.
“The gutter system is an internal system so you can’t tell that the building has gutters from looking,” Carter said. “The system is rotting from years of neglect. Pieces are just falling down from neglect.”
Carter said the bell tower will be repaired, and then repairs can begin on brick and mortar and the building’s windows.
“I want to see this building preserved,” Carter said. “It’s still a good building.”
In other business during the Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Monday:
*n Kim McCoy and Miranda Purvis were appointed to the Historic Preservation Board.
* The board accepted Bertha Smith’s resignation for the Election Commission. Greta Winters was appointed to fill the post.
* Ward 1 Alderman Ron Johnson said he wanted to thank the garbage collection employees who continued providing service during the recently extremely cold weather.
