By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Sept. 4, 2002
The Meridian City Council voted Tuesday to begin negotiations with an engineering firm to design the new Interstate 20/59 interchange at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Industrial Park.
City, county and economic development officials say a new I-20/59 exit at the industrial park would help lure business and industry. The interchange would be between the U.S. 45 and Highway 19 exits.
Councilmen voted 3-1 to negotiate with Neel Schaffer of Jackson; Ward 2 Councilman Mary Perry abstained. The vote followed another in which the council rejected 3-2 the hiring of Engineering Associates the firm recommended by the city's selection committee.
The two votes followed an hour-long closed-door meeting. Councilmen said they couldn't say what they discussed in the closed meeting that made them reject Engineering Associates.
The city is expected to begin negotiations with Neel Schaffer unless Mayor John Robert Smith vetoes the council's action. Smith wouldn't say whether he will veto the move.