The city of Yazoo City is the only municipality in the state that earned a preservation grant with flying colors to repair the historic City Hall.
Building Inspector Russ Carter announced the city’s grant approval during Monday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. The city applied for a Mississippi Department Archives and History grant in January to replace the roof of City Hall and repair several exterior issues.
“For the first time ever, they have never had a city that applied for a grant, hit the second benchmark and not have to go into a second, third or fourth review,” Carter said. “We went through the first time with flying colors. We are the only city in the whole state who applied for this grant and went through the first time. We are the only one. That says a lot. It is remarkable.”
The project will cost a total of $154,700 with the city providing a 20 percent match. MDAH will provide $128,916 with the city covering the remaining $25,784.
Mayor Diane Delaware said the announcement not only opens up useable funds, but it also highlight’s Yazoo City’s credibility.
“We are a small city,” Delaware said. “But we are a small city that does what needs to be done, and you will want to give us grants. You will say, ‘let’s do business with Yazoo City, Mississippi.’ We want to be known for that.”
Carter said this is the first MDAH grant the city has received in close to two decades.
“There are so many details that have to be followed,” Carter said. “They are giving us money to fix this building. It has just been neglected for so many years. It’s time to get it fixed so we don’t lose it.”
The city council acknowledged the grant approval during its board meeting to be reflected in the minutes.
“I would like that in the record because it has never been done in the state of Mississippi before,” Delaware said.
