City officials still are waiting for approval from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to move forward with renovating the McComb Railroad Depot.
Plans call for the depot museum to be housed in one large area, with a 400-square foot waiting room to be located in a rebuilt addition on the north end of the building, with separate entrances for each.
The depot was set on fire May 30, 2021, and city officials declared an emergency to hire Pike Construction to rebuild the destroyed portion of the building and install a new roof to prevent further damage.
Mayor Quordiniah Lockley said Tuesday that plans to redo the interior have been sent to the Department of Archives and History.
“Hopefully, they will review that and give us an OK on it because we’re not only working with architects, we’re working with Archives and History also,” he said. “If you know anything about Archives and History, they have requirements. Their requirements also take up a cost. We have to get that approved.”
Selectman Tommy Mc-Kenzie addressed financial issues.
“Wasn’t there a little bit of insurance money left for the depot?” he said.
City Administrator David Myers said $47,000 out of the $250,000 of insurance money McComb received to repair the roof is left.
Once Archives and History approves the plans, architect Steve Cox can move forward with seeking bids, Myers said.
Myers said the city may receive more insurance money once the cost for rebuilding the interior is determined.
Lockley said four entities are involved with renovating the depot — city, the depot museum board, Amtrak and Archives and History.
Amtrak recently offered to put a temporary shelter for rail passengers near the depot until the repairs are complete.
