Greg Gerber posted on November 20, 2008 06:41
BROOKHAVEN, Miss. -- The Lincoln County Multi-Purpose Facility is about to expand dramatically with an addition that will provide hookups for recreational vehicles and allow the complex to increase the size and variety of its events, county officials said.
The Lincoln County Board of Supervisors Monday voted unanimously to advertise for bids for the construction of a planned five-acre, 53-unit RV park, complete with water, sewer and electrical connections for the RVs. Optional amenities, such as a pavilion, rest facilities complete with men's and women's showers and a recreational area for children, are also being contemplated.
Lincoln County Administrator David Fields said the tentative budget for the project is approximately $350,000, with a 50 percent matching grant of $250,000 from the Pearl River Basin Development District available for use as well. Most, but not all, of the grant will be put toward the project.
Dungan Engineering, PA Civil Engineer Ryan Holmes said the bid will be released with the park's various features - like the shower facilities and a basketball court - listed as line items, allowing the county to include or discard them as funds allow. The alternate bids will also allow the county to lower the number of RV slots that will be constructed if necessary.
"We designed it to maximize the space they have," Holmes said. "You've got campers and motor homes that are very large, and they're not easy to turn or back in, so when we designed it we took that into consideration. There are guidelines and standards out there that are kind of minimum standards - we've done at least that and sometimes more."
Facility Manager Quinn Jordan said the project is largest ever undertaken by the commission. He said the commission chose to move forward with RV park because of its ability to generate revenue for the county and city - not only because of the usage fee, but because of the park's expected ability to attract travelers.
"We were looking for something that would have the biggest economic impact first," Jordan said. "With the RV park in place, we'll be able to bring in larger shows - shows that last multiple days - and that will bring in more tax revenue for both the county and city. When people stay here, they spend money here."
SOURCE: Daily Leader