Natchez Preservation Commission tables Regions design

Published 12:26 am Thursday, November 10, 2016

 

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Preservation Commission voted Wednesday to postpone action on a request to approve the design of a new Regions Bank building downtown.

Commissioners voiced concerns and opinions about the design of the proposed bank to be built at 373 S. Canal St. in the location of the former Isle of Capri warehouse.

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The commission voted to allow the demolition of the current structures on the property that have sat vacant since the closure of Isle of Capri in October 2015, but asked for changes to be made to the building’s design.

Concerns included the appearance of some sides of the building, with commissioners saying that the visible back of the building needed to look like the front of the building that will face Canal Street.

Concerns were also raised about the usage of the neon green color Regions uses in marketing on the building.

The commission asked architect Jack Marshall to bring back renditions of the building with no neon green and minimal neon green to its next meeting.

Commissioner Liz Dantone said she understands that the color is part of Regions logo, but asked Marshall to consult Regions on whether the usage of the color could be scaled back on the building.

Dantone also said that she has thought since seeing the early sketches of the building that its design is not “a suburban building in a suburban area.”

Although improvements have been made since the initial design, Dantone said, she asked the architect to make adjustments to the design in order to improve its attractiveness.

A couple of residents shared concerns about the building with the commission.

Bill Smith said the property has been a longtime eyesore in the community, so “in a sense, anything built there” would be better than an eyesore.

Smith said, however, since the property is vital to the area, the project cannot be taken lightly.

He suggested the building be surrounded by a brick wall and the building made to look more residential.

“Right now, it resembles a fast-food restaurant,” he said.

Bill Dale, who owns property to the south of the bank’s proposed location, shared concerns about light spilling over onto his property as well as landscaping.

Dale said Marshall had agreed to meet with him, and they would discuss Dale’s concerns.

Marshall agreed to take the commission’s points of discussion to Regions and offer a revised plan for the building.

The commission tabled the application until its Dec. 14 meeting.

The bank building is set to go before the Natchez Planning Commission, which will hear requests to combine two lots on the property into one, approve a variance of a requirement that prohibits drive-thrus to be built within 100 feet of a residence and to zone a portion of the property from residential to commercial.

In other news from the meeting:

-The commission approved the construction of an open-air pavilion at the Rhythm Night Club Museum on St. Catherine Street.

Owner Monroe Sago said the pavilion is needed because it will offer shade or shelter from rain for visitors waiting to go inside the museum for tours.