The mayor of Moss Point would love to be in a new city hall by Christmas next year.

Mayor Aneice Liddell said that construction could begin this month for the two-story brick building with a $3.2 million price tag, although recent rains may push the starting date past the holidays and into 2010.

Preliminary work began in August so the city could meet the governor’s September deadline for construction projects paid for by Katrina-recovery money.

The flooded city hall building is under renovation and should be ready for employees to move in to by January or February.

Employees will use the renovated building for at least a year while waiting for the new building to be finished.