On Tuesday morning, a worker is pictured pressure-washing the masonry block exterior of the Tallahatchie County Safe Room being built in Charleston.
Located at the corner of South Market and Walnut streets in the old SuperValu grocery parking lot, the building is designed to protect as many as 544 people from wind speeds up to 250 mph.
The ceremonial groundbreaking for the project was conducted Oct. 10, and construction began shortly thereafter. All work was expected to be completed by May, but that was before COVID-19 and other circumstances interfered.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded Tallahatchie County an almost $1.48 million grant toward the project’s $1.64 million total cost. Under terms of the grant award, the county is providing 10% of the cost through in-kind work and other considerations.
Hooker Construction Co. of Pontotoc was awarded the contract to raise the structure.
(Photo by Clay McFerrin)
