Mississippi City Approves Storm Shelter Bid

The city of Southaven, Miss., is spending $2.66 million for a storm shelter will double as a community multipurpose facility.

The city board of aldermen on Tuesday awarded the contract to the lower bidder, Murphy and Sons Inc. of Southaven.

The Commercial Appeal reports the shelter will be placed on U.S. Highway 51 near the Southaven Arena.

City Administrator Chris Wilson said the project timetable calls for completion by December, but added: “That will probably have to be pushed back because of weather.”

The city began discussing the project more than five years ago after receiving a federal grant that will cover most of the cost. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency are funding the project under a 95/5 federal-to-local match.

The city plans to use the facility as an emergency shelter during severe weather but having it available to host a variety of community events the rest of the time.

Wilson said seven bids were submitted for the project when bids were opened Jan. 28.