The new Vicksburg Transportation Museum at the old Levee Street Depot will feature a covered walkway resembling the two in place there during the early 20th century.

City landscape architect Jeff Richardson said the walkway will serve as a “transition” from one downtown attraction to another, which includes the U.S. Corps of Engineers interpretive center at the dry-docked MV Mississippi IV on Jackson and Washington streets, the Catfish Row Art Park on Levee Street, the Riverfront Murals and restaurants and downtown Washington Street.

The walkway is being designed by Natchez firm Waycaster & Associates Architect, along with Richardson, and will be extended to about 60 feet long.

The previous walkways, which were constructed parallel to the railroad tracks on the south side of the depot, were 700 and 900 feet long.

City grant writer Marcia Weaver said the city has received a $52,900 Community Heritage Preservation grant by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

On Monday, the board approved a change in scope and extended the contract to have the exterior completed until Dec. 31, 2011.

Richardson said the city also will need to match the grant by $13,000. Construction will be done in-house, Richardson said, to help keep costs down, but certain labor work such as roofing might be contracted out.

Interior renovations of the three-story building are underway and are expected to be complete by the summer.

The building will be home to a transportation museum on the ground floor and office spaces on the second floor for Vicksburg Main Street Program and the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In other action Monday, the board approved an allocation of $20,682.30 to The Initiative, a 13-unit housing complex and education development center on Hope Street.