It has been stated in public meetings over the past several months that the progress of the much-needed repairs to the Triangle Cultural Center’s crumbling south wall was a waiting game with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
But The Herald confirmed with the state quite the opposite last week, with the state reporting that they have been waiting on the city-hired engineering firm, Willis Engineering Inc., since 2022 for requested drawings and specifications to review the project.
Repairs to the historic Triangle Cultural Center have remained in limbo since 2020 with past and current city administrations expressing frustration in the matter. The saga began in 2020 when then-city leaders were concerned over what they called “a shabby” repair job to the historic center’s south wall. The progress of the project remained stagnant until April of 2022 until one of the final actions from the previous city administration was moving forward with the repairs.
The former Board of Mayor and Aldermen accepted a $226,058 quote from Tri-C Construction, based in Carrollton, to repair the south wall of the historic center. That contract was specifically for the south wall repair.
The cost of the much-needed repairs was intended to be covered by a $60,000 donation from the Yazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau and $49,000 from the city’s general fund. The remaining cost of $177,058 was to be utilized from funds from the American Rescue Plan, which former mayor Diane Delaware said provided $2.6 million dollars to the city of Yazoo City. She added that some of those funds can be used for infrastructure repair.
The newly elected city council in 2022 placed the Triangle repairs as one its top priorities. Sen. Joseph Thomas Sr. also helped secure an additional $200,000 for repairs and renovations to the building.
But it was reported to the city leaders that the only thing restricting the project from beginning was approval from the MDAH. The Herald reported in 2022, that Shane Correro with Willis Engineering firm told city leaders “all we are waiting on now is that permit from MDAH.”
Following that statement, Correro reported to the city council that the representatives from the MDAH who were working on the approved permit “were no longer with them.” He added that the project must have fallen through the cracks.
However, The Herald contacted Barry White, director of the historic preservation division with MDAH, about the status of the Triangle Cultural, citing the statements made to the local city council that it was a mere “waiting game” with the state.
White said he contacted Mayor David Starling last March after reading an article that appeared in The Herald regarding city leaders’ frustrations with the project.
“Very soon after that communication, the city reached out to MDAH, we scheduled an on-site meeting,” White said. “And on May 15, we met and developed a path for moving forward. It is my understanding that the requested drawings and specifications are currently being developed, and we look forward to receiving them for review.”
“I will also say that after we reached out to the mayor, the city was very responsive,” White added. “We look forward to working with the city to plan for the stabilization and rehabilitation of the building.”
In a letter to Starling, White said there had been multiple requests to Willis Engineering Inc. for specific information that would allow the MDAH to complete a review in accordance with the Antiquities Law of Mississippi.
“However, we never received the detailed drawings and specifications and therefore have not been able to recommend a permit for the work,” White said, in his email to Starling. “Looking through the history of MDAH's communications concerning the building, the last request letter was sent on November 17, 2022 (attached for review). We have not received that information to date.”
The Herald obtained a copy of the letter from MDAH to Shane Correro with Willis Engineering on Nov. 17, 2022. After receiving photos and documents from the firm, the state said, “the documents are not sufficient.”
“It is our determination that the documents submitted are not sufficient for project approval,” the MDAH letter stated. “As we have discussed multiple times with you, the following information must be submitted for review and approval prior to bidding or beginning the project…”
Four items were then provided including requests for specifications and plan details for the removal, replacement and repair of the masonry; specifications and plans for the window restoration; specifications and plans for the cornice; and specifications and plans for the treatment of the exterior, metal stairs.
“As discussed on site, over the phone, and via email, the plans and specifications must include detailed drawings and specifications for all work included in the project scope,” the letter continues. “MDAH review and approval is required prior to bidding or beginning the project. A Mississippi Landmark permit will not be authorized until MDAH approves the plans and specifications that include the information outlined above.”
White told The Herald the city of Yazoo City has been very responsive with them following its communication with Starling. He added that the state’s requests are now being developed and that he looks forward to receiving them for review.
