A rose to the city of Columbus, whose decision to act as its own contractor for the soon-to-be-completed Trotter Center renovations proved to be a wise choice. After securing a $2.4 million loan to finance the project, the city was alarmed when the bids exceeded that amount by $1 million to $1.4 million. Choosing instead to act as its own contractor, the final cost estimates for the project came $24,000 less than its budget of $2.32 million construction budget.
The city spent a combined $104,333 less than it budgeted on general renovations, lighting and electrical, but exceeded its budget for other expenses. The loan will be repaid through a fee-in-lieu agreement with Columbus Light & Water over a 15- to 20-year period.
The big picture shows that the city will have spent $1 million less than the lowest bid offered. We commend the city for its decision and note that the improvements made at the Trotter are impressive, particularly its new sound/light systems.
A rose to Mississippi State’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, which has landed its second big project in as many months. Last week, The Boeing Company announced plans to move one of its research projects to Raspet. Earlier in the month Raspet was chosen by the Federal Aviation Administration to lead a new National Center for Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Raspet has a global reputation for composites research and has served as an incubation space for multiple composite manufacturers that now have permanent Mississippi homes. The lab has served as an incubator for Mississippi-based manufacturing operations of Aurora Flight Sciences, GE Aviation, Airbus Helicopter and Stark Aerospace.
A rose to all those who turned out at Lion Hills Center for Festival of Flavors, a fundraiser for the Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen. The goal is an important one — to provide almost 20,000 meals this year to those who don’t get enough to eat.
The money raised Friday evening will generate operating funds for costs such as rent and kitchen supplies for the ecumenical nonprofit ministry that currently serves meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday — and one Thursday per month — from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its facility at 223 22nd St. N. The ministry hopes to provide meals every Thursday. We also offer a rose to the many volunteers who so generously give of their time to assist this worthy project.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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