By Rupert Howell
Panola Partnership Executive Director Sonny Simmons told Batesville’s City Board his organization would go along with a joint venture to build a depot style office with community room on the Downtown Square.

The idea has been floated around the community following the success of Iowa Pacific’s Polar Express train ride last year that brought around 65,000 train riders to the historic Batesville Square.

“We’re excited about this, partnering with you on a project like this,” Simmons told the city’s board.

“Our office wants to maintain a presence downtown—especially after all you have invested downtown,” Simmons explained.

The City, along with a grant from Mississippi Dept. of Transportation, reworked the the lower half of the Square last year making it pedestrian friendly, a plan that was underway before Polar Express was announced.

Further work will soon continue on the south side of the Square where it is met by Eureka Street.

A bid of $225,099 from Brocato Construction was approved at Tuesday’s meeting and includes realignment of Eureka at its Square entrance, curb and gutters, planters with brick work, handicap accessibility and lighting.

Aldermen were seeking plans of a depot style building built recently in Texas to have a starting point from which to proceed on the proposed joint project.