The groundbreaking ceremony for the B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center's expansion project was held on Tuesday morning. And according to Museum Director Malika Polk-Lee, the work is expected to be complete by September 2020, if the weather cooperates.
Retiring Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall addressed the group and provided a short background on the project and how the funding came about. He said it took some “creative financing.”
Hall then expressed his pleasure at being a part of the process. “I am so pleased that this event today could occur before I leave my position,” he said.
Hall did offer one serious political view. “It is time for the Congress in the Mississippi Legislature to refinance transportation in the state of Mississippi and I am hoping the new legislature will speak to that and I hope that some day soon people in Congress can start talking to each other across the aisle and get a few things like that done,” he said.
D.Craig Ray, Director, Visit Mississippi represented the Mississippi Developmental Authority and Polk-Lee called him a “tireless supporter of the museum.”
She then thanked the museum’s staff, operations director Robert Terrell and the board of directors and President Bill McPherson. The governor-elect as well as outgoing Governor Phil Bryant and former Representative Sara Richardson-Thomas were also mentioned as staunch supporters.
In addition, the Indianola City Aldermen and the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors along with project engineers, designers, the architect and others were also thanked for their help.
Polk-Lee said, “We’re really excited about this chance to finish the last chapter of Mr. King’s life, our final chapter in honoring his life and legacy.”
She said the exhibit will encompass his tour bus and two of his prized possessions, an El Camino and Rolls Royce “And it will tell the true story of how Mr. King connected to his fans through transportation and being on the road and touring,” she added.
