NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez will pay for plumbing repairs to the Margaret Martin building, now that hopes for funding from the state Legislature for restorations have been dashed for the coming year.

The Natchez Mayor and Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to award a $56,000 contract for plumbing repairs to the former Margaret Martin School building without assistance from state funds.

Alderman Dan Dillard made a motion to award the contract for repairs to the lowest bidder on the project which was Jan Scarborough Construction, of Meadville for approximately $56,000 and the motion passed unanimously.

The Margaret Martin building currently houses the Natchez Festival of Music headquarters and the stage is used for productions, but the facility will not be available as a venue for stage productions for the festival scheduled for May due to the plumbing problems.

Festival organizers have arranged to present some of the stage production that would have been presented at the Margaret Martin facility in the Natchez City Auditorium.