Construction should begin soon for the new animal shelter the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society has been trying to build for several years.
Contributing Author: John Mott Coffey
The Natchez Planning Commission on Thursday approved site plans for the facility, which will be on Liberty Road and not far from the current animal shelter that’s severely deteriorated and needs to be replaced.
“It’s been a long time coming. We hope to have a groundbreaking soon,” said NACHS vice president Sue Stedman.
No date has been set yet to break ground, but Stedman said construction should be completed in the first half of 2015.
With earlier estimates having construction costing about $900,000, initial contractor bids were higher than expected and prompted the Humane Society board in August 2013 to seek new bids. The five-acre site for the new shelter is by St. Catherine Creek in an industrial area not near residents.
The Natchez Planning Commission reviews construction projects and businesses to ensure they don’t adversely impact neighborhoods and violate city zoning laws. While the commission approved the shelter site plan last year, it returned to the board Thursday to review new issues involving parking and the disposal of animal waste.
After several years of raising funds, the Humane Society has plans designed by an architect who specializes in animal shelters and veterinary clinics.
The old shelter provides care each year to more than 2,000 homeless animals, according to the NACHS.
More information about the new animal shelter and what it’ll look like can be seen at the Humane Society’s website: natchezpetadoptions.org/Shelter_Building_Report.html
