City officials have plans to update the roof of the old depot on South Whitworth Avenue that houses the Military Memorial Museum and part of the Brookhaven Parks and Recreation department.

Alderwoman-at-Large Karen Sullivan brought forth the issue in the Board of Aldermen meeting on Feb. 3.

Sullivan said the depot is a historic city-owned property whose old red tire roof has to be replaced along with a few more structural changes. Since the building is a city-owned structure, Sullivan got involved and brought in Ward 3 Alderwoman Mary Wilson because the building is in her ward.

“It’s got to be done,” Sullivan said. “It’s going to be quite expensive so we’re seeking help from other agencies.”

In the search for outside help, Sullivan approached the Mississippi Department of Archives and History who, she said, recommended that the city become a local certified government making the city more likely to get grants for help when seeking to restore old building such as the old depot.

According to the MDAH website, a local certified government requires a city, town or county to enact a historic preservation ordinance and enforce that ordinance through a local historic preservation commission.

“It’s a simple thing,” Sullivan said. “It would be a nice designation to have.”

She said that a representative from MDAH is coming to present fully on the topic on March 17. She also said they’re also planning to approach the Brookhaven Trust, which is a community organization that assists in the restoration and preservation of buildings in downtown Brookhaven, for help with the reconstruction of the building.

Whatever the route for change, Sullivan said that they are “looking to keep true to the building’s historical nature.”