The Robert G. “Bunky” Huggins Mississippi Highway Patrol Station will be open for business beginning next week.
The $4.24 million structure, located at 1301 Cypress Ave., will replace Troop D’s existing barracks on U.S. 49 South.
“We’re hoping to have the new one open on July 14,” said Trooper Tony Dunn, public affairs officer for Troop D.
The driver’s license section, which is still at the old barracks, will close on July 15 and reopen at the new location on July 17, he said.
Dunn said licensing sections will remain open July 14-15 at the patrol’s locations in Grenada, Kos-ciusko, Cleveland and Greenville.
Huggins, a Republican state senator from Greenwood, died of cancer in May 2006, about a year after the Legislature approved the building of the new station. It was later named in honor of Huggins, a longtime supporter of law enforcement.
Funding the station took more than six years. Initial funding for the project was redirected to the Gulf Coast region in response to Hurricane Katrina.
State Sen. David Jordan, D-Greenwood, said this morning that a grand opening will be held later. He said Gov. Phil Bryant plans to attend the dedication.
Dunn said when the American flag is taken down at the barracks on U.S. 49 South, that will indicate the troop has officially moved to its new headquarters.
