Amtrak has agreed to pay for new signs and a temporary shelter for passengers to use while the McComb railroad depot is being rebuilt.
The announcements came at Tuesday night’s city board meeting after selectmen unanimously agreed to end the state of emergency for the depot, which was set on fire May 30, 2021.
“In order that we could put a roof and preserve what was there, the State Auditor’s office informed us that we needed to declare a state of emergency,” Mayor Quordiniah Lockley said. “The roof has been placed up there. All that has been done, so now it’s time for us to rescind that state of emergency.”
Lockley and City Administrator David Myers said the new signs for the depot would have the Amtrak logo on them. One sign will be on the north end of the building and another will be on the south end. The other two signs will be freestanding, with one on each side of the building.
“They want to put Amtrak there on the building once it’s completed, so they want us to move on this so they can go ahead and start getting the wording and all that together,” Lockley said.
The board unanimously approved the matter.
Myers said the signs would make the depot look better.
“We think it’s going to be a good thing,” he said. “It’s definitely going to augment the building.”
The temporary shelter, known as a “bubble,” is being passengers to use in case of bad weather while they are waiting for the train.
“We did not have to purchase that bubble,” he said. “That bubble was purchased by Amtrak in order that those who were patronizing the train would not have to be in inclement weather. We appreciate them doing it.”
“It’s a decent size to get out of the rain,” said Selectman Bruce Mullins, who retired after a career with Amtrak.
“I think it will be a good deal,” Myers said. “Once it gets finished, it will look excellent. It will be a really good thing for us.”
City officials said they are waiting on the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to sign off on plans for the interior remodel.
In other business regarding facility improvements, the board unanimously approved hiring low bidder M&P Construction Inc. of Richland to handle various interior work at the Alpha Center for $304,000.
The board had initially reserved $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for the work, but Myers said that money will cover the entire $304,000.
Myers also said the city received a letter from architect Steve Cox about asbestos flooring that needs to be addressed.
“This should still cover that, or the cost should be very nominal,” Myers said.
