Survey Begins on Old Armory; City Bond Rating is Up

The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday hired Williams Engineering to complete a topographic survey of the city’s old National Guard armory.
Once the survey is complete, architectural firms can begin on designs for a new open-air pavilion for community events.
The armory, at the corner of Bramlett Boulevard and University Avenue, will be torn down after the completion of asbestos testing. The space will be used for concerts, farmers markets and family reunions, among other events.
The City Looks Good on Paper
Oxford’s bond rating has increased to the AA level, up from an AA- rating. Higher bond ratings allow municipalities to borrow money at lower rates. Its previous level was already a quality rating.
Lisa D. Carwyle, city clerk of Oxford, spoke with Standard & Poor’s recently about the town of Oxford, a discussion that ended in the higher bond rating.
The city recently borrowed money for road construction, and received a 1.6 percent interest rate on $1.6 million and a 2.14 percent rate on $500,000.
Recycle, Reduce, Reuse The city has $225,000 to improve its pilot recycling program, having received a grant from the state Department of Environmental Quality. The city requested a larger amount of funding, and will find out at an upcoming meeting in Jackson about which funds it received.
In other news:
The Rotary Club donated $1,500 to the police department to help fully fund and train a new drug dog, which was accepted by Chief Joey East.
Detective Jeffrey S. McCutchen was promoted to major, from chief of investigations, at the request of East. His promotion comes after the promotion of Deputy Chief James Owens to his present position.
City planner Tim Akers celebrated his retirement at a reception this afternoon at City Hall with friends and coworkers. His replacement is Andrea Correll, the former director of planning and inspections in Pinehurst, N.C. Akers officially retires April 30. Board of Aldermen member John Morgan appeared at the meeting telephonically, from Los Angeles, made possible by the board decision to allow members to participate by conference call.
Gretchen Stone is HottyToddy.com associate editor. Gretchen can be contacted about this story at Gretchen.Stone@HottyToddy.com