Although construction was expected to begin last May, the much-needed repairs to the Triangle now rest upon the Mississippi Department of Archives and History approving the preliminary construction drawings.
Stephanie Stewart, with Belinda Stewart Architects, appeared before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its recent board meeting to present the preliminary drawings of the repairs slated for one of the historic building’s exterior walls.
“The set of drawings that you have is our preliminary construction document set,” Stewart said. “The drawings cover the scope of work. This drawing set must go to Archives and History for approval. I think you are familiar with the control Archives as over this Mississippi historical landmark.”
Steward said the preliminary set is about 95 percent complete with the architectural firm wrapping up the finishing touches.
“The process to get approval from Archives to move forward within the budget you have is the review of these specifications,” Stewart said. “Then we will be provided with a permit to begin construction. We are still about a month to a month and a half out from being able to get approval from Archives and History. They must review and approve these drawings, which would give us a permit to release those drawings for bidding. That takes about a month to do that within the $240,000 budget.”
Alderwoman Elizabeth Thomas asked whether the preliminary drawings covered any other work beyond the center’s exterior wall.
“This project has been going on for over five years,” Thomas said. “Deterioration has been going on for those five years. The ceiling and things are falling in. Will this just be the exterior?”
Stewart said the presented plans only cover the exterior elements and masonry.
“It does not cover the interior restoration,” Stewart added.
Repairs to the historic Triangle Cultural Center have remained in limbo since 2020 with past and current city administrations expressing frustration in the matter.
“This has definitely been a tedious process trying to get this wall repaired,” said Mayor David Starling.
