The building was undergoing fix-ups to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. MSA Director of Maintenance, Transportation and School Safety Richard Caraway said the changes should make the building much more friendly and accessible for people with handicaps.

"They'll be able to move about freely, and it will be much easier to go to the restroom and through the doors," he said.

Workers from Scarbrough Construction have been on the job since around March, installing brass handrails on the outside entrance, going up to the stage, and on the balcony. They also installed a men's and women's handicapped-accessible restroom and a new set of stairs on the back of the building, in addition to other handicap-friendly improvements, Caraway said.

Scarbrough Construction owner Jan Scarbrough said the project was finally finished this last week.

He said MSA officials will need to review the work and approve it, and then it will be theirs to do with what they wish. He said he's pleased with the teamwork on the renovation.

"I think it's a nice job done by the architect and nice job done by all," Scarbrough said.

The project was paid for by a federal ADA grant handled through the Mississippi Bureau of Buildings and Grounds. Caraway said the cost of the project will not be final until the project is finished completely.

Scarbrough said in addition to being proud of the job his men have done, he's also glad his company won the bid and had the opportunity to do the work in the first place.

"We're just glad to get a job in these times," he said.

Caraway said MSA officials are excited to have their building back, and are ready to begin using it for academic endeavors.

"We're going to use it for classrooms, and we're anxiously anticipating the day they turn it back over to us," he said.