Alderman still has concerns about metal building

Ward Five Alderman D.W. Maxwell says he believes the numbers regarding a project to relocate the Brookhaven Police Department to the old Mississippi Highway Patrol building do not adequately reflect another viable option for building a new facility. At this week's meeting, the board of aldermen voted unanimously for the relocation.

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However, Maxwell contends research on the possibility of constructing a metal or conventional building was not sufficiently researched.

"I see nothing wrong with metal and conventional buildings," said Maxwell. "We might have done all this research and come back to this same conclusion, but I feel it just wasn't well explored."

Massengill defended the data he presented at Tuesday's meeting.

"We had an architect and a local builder provide the data," said Massengill. "What we're trying to do is provide the police department with the best possible facility at the best cost for our taxpayers. The board voted unanimously, and made the decision based on sound data."

The board voted to renovate the old MHP building on Highway 51 - with Maxwell arguing against it - as Massengill's research showed landslide numbers in favor of renovation over building.

After the money allotted by the budget and the grant for police station renovation, the city would only need around $50,000. Constructing a new building, however, could leave the city still needing around a quarter of a million dollars, according to Massengill's totals.

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