Outgoing MDCC President Dr. Larry Nabors goes over current plans to build a new administration building and a campus bookstore.
Photo: Recardo Thomas
In the aftermath of the fire that destroyed the Woods-Stauffer Administration building on the campus of Mississippi Delta Community College almost a year and a half ago, the board of trustees at the Moorhead college has elected to construct a new multi-million dollar two-story facility instead of trying to recoup the former.
At Thursday’s regular session, the trustees had an opportunity to view the proposed architectural renderings of the new structure for the first time. The project, with an estimated cost of $4,550,000, including fixtures, furniture and fees, will face Lucas Street and will be located between the student union and the cafeteria.
College President, Dr. Larry Nabors said the structure will sit directly across from the new girl’s dorm and will provide a type of “mirror image” as you drive down the street.
The building was originally supposed to house a campus bookstore as well, but after careful consideration, taking into account what it would take to reinforce an internal area to support the second floor, they decided it would be more economical to build a standalone retail facility adjacent to the administration building instead.
The estimated cost for the bookstore is $1,140,000, making the grand total $5,690,000 for the total project. Nabors said they have a total of $3.94 million in bond and insurance money to put towards the project, plus the school is in good financial shape with over $6,800,000 in their general reserve fund, $2,700,000 in bookstore reserve and just over $3 million in other reserve funds.
He is proposing to use $750,000 from the reserve funds and borrowing the remaining $1,000,000 through a bond. “Borrowing rates are still pretty low right now, so I think it’s a good time,” Nabors said. He said the $1 million they borrowed to construct the student union is the only long-term debt the college currently has.
Nabors said in the event that the actual construction costs come in under the bid amount, they would not borrow, or at least not as much. He is hoping the bidding process would be done by August with construction beginning as soon after as possible.
Nabors reminded the trustees of a depreciation clause in the insurance settlement that would give back $60,000 the college, if they had a construction agreement by the two-year anniversary date of the fire. “We really want to get a signed contract by December 13,” he said.
The trustees gave him permission to contact Butler-Snow Law Firm about beginning the initial paperwork in case they decide to do the bond.
In describing the layout of the main structure, Nabors said the first floor would have three entrances with a centrally located receptionist’s desk, several offices, a small meeting room with a screened porch/patio area suitable for receptions and a glass-covered, two-story atrium in the center of the building.
The second floor will encompass more office space with some of that space designated for institutional research and human resources, conference rooms, a boardroom, storage and copy areas, space for the president’s secretary and the president’s office.
In addition, the trustees also approved and accepted the four-year employment contract of incoming president, Tyrone Jackson, who is slated to take over the helm in July.
Jackson thanked the board for giving him the opportunity and pledged to begin attending their sessions even though he is still in the process of wrapping up his obligations at Hinds Community College.
He added that he has already begun familiarizing himself with certain documents and things as they relate to the college.
Nabors announced that the college will hold two graduation ceremonies on May 9 instead of one because of the number of graduates and the desire to accommodate family members.
Students with last names beginning with A thru L will graduate at 10 a.m. and names beginning M thru Z at 1p.m. He said they would try to accommodate those students with special circumstances.
Nabors also announced plans to update and make repairs at the president’s home, that the college received a “good, clean audit,” and that a hoped for, $2 million boost from the Legislature, did not come through.
