Brookhaven officials are optimistic that a long-awaitedMulti-Modal Transportation Facility will become a reality, but theproject will again take a little longer to complete.

“This is going to come about, finally,” said Mayor BobMassengill last night following recent meetings with transportationofficials and architect Michael Barranco.

Massengill said Amtrak had agreed to partner with the city ifthe passenger train service gets sufficient appropriations laterthis year. Also, transportation services in Natchez and Hazlehurstare interested in using the facility as a pickup point.

The mayor, however, requested and the board approved a plan toseek an extension on spending federal funds allocated for thefacility. Currently, funds must be obligated by the end of thisyear.

“We cannot get bids let and have the work done by then,” saidMassengill, who was confident an extension would be granted but hedid not know for how long.

Also, Barranco must complete the design for some facilitymodifications. Among them is a longer platform for passengers and ashorter canopy.

Aldermen also approved a payment for over $53,000 to Barrancofor his services thus far. The city expects to be reimbursed thatamount from the federal funding.

In other business last night, Chamber of Commerce Executive VicePresident Cliff Brumfield spoke to the board about a signage anddowntown lighting project.

Aldermen Les Bumgarner, Mary Wilson and Shirley Estes wereappointed to a committee to determine lighting and sign placementunder the project. The board formally voted to apply for a $220,307grant from USDA Rural Development for the project.

On a related note, aldermen tabled two requests regarding thepurchase of land in the industrial park.

One request from Barnett Trucking involved the proposed purchaseof 8.9 acres for a latex petroleum shipping operation. Thebusiness, Quality Carriers, would mean about 40 driving jobs overthe next year to 18 months, Brumfield said.

Another request involved the proposed purchase of 2.2 acres onIndustrial Park Road across from the park. The proposal was notdiscussed in detail last night.

Also last night, Police Chief Pap Henderson and Sgt. Clint Earlsdisplayed the “Top Dog” trophy Earls and his canine partner Felixwon during the recent U.S. Police Canine Association statecompetition. It was the third year in a row that Earls and Felixhave won the state title.