NATCHEZ — City of Natchez officials plan to shed light on the downtown central arts district using aesthetic light poles with built-in electric panels to provide power for downtown events and festivities, Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said.

During a special-called meeting Thursday, the Natchez Mayor and Board of Aldermen agreed to apply for a $125,000 Entergy grant to install the light fixtures with the city pledging $31,250, or 25% of the cost, Grennell said.

The grant would fund eight new historically accurate light poles that would be strategically placed on Commerce Street between Main and Franklin streets, which is the central arts district outlined in the Downtown Natchez Master Plan for revitalizing the downtown area, Grennell said.

In other matters during Thursday’s special called meeting of the Natchez Mayor and Board of Aldermen, the Board:

• Approved Mississippi Department of Transportation grant applications for the Natchez Transit and Natchez Senior Center transportation funds.
• Approved an invoice of $4,900 for the citywide water improvement project to be paid by Natchez Water Works.
•  Approved change orders for the ongoing Natchez Railroad safety improvement project for no more than $14,000 funded by the Natchez Railway and U.S. Department of Transportation’s TIGER Discretionary Grant program.
• Discussed hosting a joint meeting with the Natchez Adams County Recreation Commission and the Adams County Board of Supervisors to discuss a financial report prepared by Silas Simmons concerning the recreation budget.
• Approved renewal of the city’s liability insurance with Mississippi Municipal Services and property coverage with Atlantic Specialty Insurance Co.

The Finance and Regular Board Meetings scheduled for today have been canceled while the mayor and Board of Aldermen are away at the Mississippi Municipal League Conference in Jackson. The next finance and regular board meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 4:30 and 6 p.m.