The city of Starkville is inviting the public to attend two tours of City Hall in coming weeks so residents can catch a glimpse of the poor working conditions faced by city employees.
The tours will take place Dec. 10 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Those in attendance will be given tours of Starkville Municipal Court, the Starkville Police Department and the rest of the city offices located in the 71-year-old building at 101 Lampkin Street.
Starkville”s citizen-led municipal complex committee recommended the city give tours to residents so they can see firsthand the cramped working conditions and poor shape of the building.
Mayor Parker Wiseman has said a new municipal building or buildings most likely would have to be funded with a bond issue, and residents would be more likely to approve a bond issue if they see the condition of the building.
“It”s important for members of the public, if they do have time available on either of those two days, to come and familiarize themselves with the condition of the building because ultimately this is a building that the general public owns and provides for the city to do business,” Wiseman said.
City Hall was built in 1939 as a Mississippi National Guard armory, but was donated to the city in 1968. The structure houses Starkville Municipal Court, the Starkville Police Department, the mayor”s office, the city clerk”s office, the Building, Planning and Codes Department, the Public Services Department and the city engineer”s office.
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