Peripheral work will not be done at the site of the proposed Vicksburg Transportation Museum, city officials decided Monday.

Instead, an architect chosen earlier this month will be given time to begin drawings of what is to be a key component in an array of City Front attractions.

Rejected were sealed bids to perform the fencing and brick work on the site’s grounds. City Attorney Nancy Thomas said the items were outsized for the project’s current budget status. Reached later, Lamar Roberts indicated the project is still on pace to complete the museum in about two years, but he agreed with the delay. A definitive opening date has yet to be nailed down.

“That’s among the last things we’ll do,” Lamar Roberts, developer of the $1.7 million project, said of fencing and decorative brick near the former Levee Street Depot.

The first pieces of tangible progress likely to be seen are tracks for train displays and cars, he said.

Natchez-based Waycaster Architects was chosen by a review board of city department heads and others to lead construction and renovation of the depot, which the city owns. Roberts and city officials have reached an accord on furnishing and equipping the building to tell the story of the community’s link with river, rail and highway transport.

Money is coming from a $1.65 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation and $53,900 from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The museum’s board of directors is responsible for raising $330,000 to match the grants.

Initial drawings must be approved by MDOT and MDAH, after which construction contractors selected by MDAH will perform the work as specified by the architectural firm.

Already at City Front are a series of murals depicting the city’s development and people and a splash fountain and art park. A Corps of Engineers interpretive center for which the MV Mississippi IV is already in place is to open in 2011. Construction will be in April for a playground sponsored by the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary.

The area at the foot of Clay and Jackson streets now on the Yazoo Diversion Canal was Vicksburg’s economic epicenter for generations. Steamboats docked there before the Mississippi River changed course.

On the agenda

Also Monday, Vicksburg officials:

Approved budget amendments totaling $65,000 covering capital improvements other than buildings. Officials said they cover costs incurred by the installation of sewer and gas lines to the proposed Eastvillage subdivision near Old Highway 27 and Lee Road outside city limits.

Authorized two amendments totaling $53,352 to a contract with Killen Contractors Inc. to tie lines to feed water wells.

Approved purchase of accounting software from Tyler Technologies.

Bought recreational supplies from Just Duett Sports and SportsCenter.

Declared an emergency to repair a collapsed storm drain on Drummond Street.

Approved submitting an application to the Mississippi Arts Commission by request of the Vicksburg Senior Center to bring a swing band to Vicksburg and have youth education on the swing era in jazz music.

Approved a rental agreement with R.J. Young Company for a photocopier in the police department.

In closed session, approved 16 pay adjustments. Ten were in the police department, five in the sewer department and one in the water department. Also, the board hired an administrative employee and accepted two resignations from the fire department.