Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams says she hopes the renovated police headquarters can open by the end of May or early June.
The $3.5 million renovation project is nearing completion, probably within two weeks, the mayor said.
The 13,000-square-foot headquarters building, built in 1967, houses the Police Department and the municipal courtroom and clerk offices.
Contractors have had to deal with faulty wiring and lead paint removal. In addition, the building had to be brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing handicapped-accessible public restrooms.
The project began in June 2015 when the department — not including the Detective Annex — relocated to the former Troop D Mississippi Highway Patrol barracks on U.S. 82.
Contractors are putting new flooring down, she said.
McAdams said delays in getting new furniture for the headquarters have pushed back the opening date.
Architect John Beard of the firm of Beard + Riser said the target completion date is May 22. All of the furniture has been ordered and will be delivered in conjunction with the completion date, he said.
“The building has to be turned over to the owners before the furniture can be placed inside,” Beard said. “You don’t want it in there while the contractor is still there.”
McAdams said some of the older furniture could be used in the short term, but the new pews for the courtroom will have to be delivered before court can be relocated from the former Delta Correctional Facility.
Police Chief Ray Moore said he is taking the delays in stride and thinks the project has gone well.
“This is not unusual on any kind of major project,” he said. “You just work around it. Things like this happen.”
He said the project, when completed, will have a positive effect for everyone.
“I know the officers are excited, and I think the citizens of Greenwood are going to be pleased,” Moore said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
