By Bonnie Culverhouse

There are several City of Minden projects in the works including Phase I of a new Public Works building with Phase II waiting in the wings.

“It’s nearly finished,” Mayor Nick Cox said of Phase I. “Another couple of months and it’ll be complete and they will hand us the keys to it.”

Phase I, built on Horton Street includes, offices for the the main Public Works and building officials. They will also consolidate the control center, putting water and electrical department heads under the same 3,200 square foot roof.

Phase II, which is currently in the bidding process, includes Street and Water/Sewer Distribution departments.

“There will be a shop in there and a big break room for all the field employees to gather,” Cox said. “Everyone will be there, except the Sewer Department. We obviously didn’t want to move it and the Electrical Department is just across the street.”

Testament Construction Services LLC of Shreveport was chosen with a bid of $797,500. The other bid was McInnis Brothers Construction at $885,000. The city plans to use $650,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act.