The empty Springhill M.B. Church at 1410 Martin Luther King Drive has been approved for demolition by city officials.

The building was badly damaged by fire nearly a decade ago, said North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young. After an insurance settlement, the church split into two new congregations, each meeting at a new location.

“It should have been gone a long time ago,” Young said of the brick church. The delay was caused by the problems of making sure all the owners of the property were properly notified of the city’s intent to demolish the building.

When the land is cleared, the price of demolition will be filed as a lien against the deed to the site.

In other business, the city:

Received bids for fire line water meters and traffic management supplies.

Received no bids for an indoor firing range for the Vicksburg Police Department or concrete pipe and manholes. Police Chief Mitchell Dent said the city withdrew the request for firing range bids while structural work is being done on the Ellis building.

Purchased an ad in the program book for the NAACP banquet Saturday.

Awarded a contract for pavement marking equipment to EZ-Liner Industries of Orange City, Iowa.

Authorized T.J. Stubbs, a city housing inspector, to demolish structures and clean lots at 200 Starlight Drive, owned by Kenneth and Lynelle Thomas; 1333 Woods St., owned by Merritt Tax Service; and to cut and clean the lots at 514 Bowmar Ave., owned by Ide Mae Nelson; and 522 Rosedale St., owned by Harry and Rosalie MacArthur.

Authorized Billy Andress, a city housing inspector, to demolish structures and clean lots at 2332 Grove St., owned by Charles Jackson; 1809 First East St., owned by Blanchie and Luster Price; and cut and clean lots located at 1876 Martin Luther King Drive and 1878 Martin Luther King Drive, owned by Sadie L. Kaigler; 1012 Fourth North St., owned by Nora Flowers; and 559 Hutson St., owned by Walter Christian.

Executed a contract with Michael Banks to work as a mentor in the Second Chance juvenile delinquency prevention program at Kings Community Center.

Charged a special assessment for cutting and cleaning the lots located at 1031 Buck St. and 1033 Buck St., owned by the estate of George Linnear, c/o Abraham Linnear.

Authorized the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for pest control and towing services.