Natchez approves $745,000 bid to demolish Fry Building, work starts Aug. 3

The Natchez Board of Aldermen has awarded a $745,000 contract to Environmental Abatement Inc. to demolish the Fry Building at North Pearl and Franklin streets, beating out two higher bids and coming in under the city's $1.2 million budget. Work begins Aug. 3, with asbestos abatement taking about 33 days, building demolition roughly 20 days, and parking lot removal and backfill another 10 days, with completion targeted for mid-October. PPM Consultants is overseeing hazardous materials handling under strict environmental regulations.