The Marshall Municipal Utilities Board of Public Works approved a motion to begin the first phase of a project to construct a new customer service center during its meeting on Tuesday, October 14.

The new Customer Connect Center would support the growth of MMU’s IT and Broadband Department and provide more space for administration and customer service.

The board reviewed a contract with SOA Architects during its October 1st meeting, but decided to table any action because project estimates exceeded what MMU had budgeted by about $800,000. Board members got the chance to speak with SOA Architects since that last meeting and decided to move forward with the first phase of the project.

The board voted to request the Marshall City Council to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with SOA Architects for the first phase of the project in the amount of $351,349. The project will take about two years to complete.

The board’s next meeting will be held Wednesday, October 29.