Construction on the city’s new community center could be slightly delayed because bids on the project came in over what aldermen hoped to budget.

The lowest base bid turned in for the project was $561,232, with options for additions and deductions.

But in preliminary plans for the entire convention center complex, the mayor and board have said they hoped the community center would cost about $500,000.

&uot;We want the architects to evaluate (the bids) and make sure all of them fit the specifications,&uot; said Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown. &uot;And we’ll look at some options for financing.&uot;

Brown said the board may call a meeting later this month to resolve the issue so that construction isn’t delayed long.

The community center, to be located in the post-World War II Service Motor Co. building on Franklin Street, is one third of the convention center complex. The complex also includes a new convention center and a renovated city auditorium.

The contract for construction of the community center is 120 days. Brown said that would push completion to April 1 if a bid had been awarded Tuesday.

&uot;We want to get it up as soon as possible,&uot; he said.

The city is authorized to sell bonds for up to $12 million for the entire project.

Preliminary plans have called for the city to spend about $9 million on the convention center, to be located on a block between Main and Franklin and Canal and Wall streets, and about $1.5 million on the renovation of the city auditorium.

Waycaster & Associates are architects for both the community center and auditorium, and are joining with JH&H Architects of Jackson to design the convention center.

The board of aldermen also agreed to a construction management agreement with Carothers Construction Co. of Water Valley.

Under the agreement, Carothers will manage the general contractors for the convention center construction and the city auditorium renovations.

&uot;We believe it will bring the city some savings,&uot;&160;City Attorney Walter Brown said.