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The missing link can be in seeing the future
Published Friday, May 9, 2008
Pointing out the bad and the ugly in a situation is easy. Seeing the potential for good is a little more difficult, but mighty important if the ugly and bad things are ever to be cleaned up.
But that level of vision is exactly what Ferriday’s downtown needs.
Years of neglect and little historic preservation regulation have caused the city’s historic downtown to be a bit rough around the edges.
Again, that’s the easy part — pointing out the problems.
The difficult part is seeing what Ferriday’s downtown could be — and should be — and working hard to get it there.
Fortunately, the difficult part just got a little easier thanks to a long-sought-after designation that the Town of Ferriday just received.
As an official certified local government, the town will receive a $124,000 grant. Those funds likely will be turned over to the Ferriday Downtown Revitalization Committee, which is an excellent place for it.
Ferriday’s downtown needs some help and the money, if used wisely, can go a long way toward helping at least a section of downtown look a bit better.
Until Ferriday begins cleaning up how it looks, it may struggle to fully take advantage of its world-renowned music history.
The Delta Music Museum is great, but Ferriday needs more to become an attractive place for people to visit.
Having the vision to turn the current eyesores into the shops and restaurants of tomorrow only takes some hard work and a little money. The recent designation and the grant money will help get the wheels greased. Now the community leaders just need to keep pushing.
Comments
Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Has the Democrat’s editorial staff taken a look at the old A&P building, the building they own? Over a year ago, the public was notified by the Democrat that the building renovations would start soon. The Democrat continues to criticize everyone else. They need to take a look themselves. That building is neglected and is beyond ugly.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oldsaw, other people's money is always a lot easier to spend. Never mind that Ferriday evolved the way it did because it was a town that grew up around the economy in existence at the time of the formation of what they are calling a historic district, and that then history changed and the economy changed and the town looks different now.
Let's say the town is put back like it was. Then what? Build a big time machine over the whole town and bring back the past? Or is Ferriday slated to be another tourist town, for all the millions of people so eager to come see a southern river town the river abandoned, to see a logging town that bustled while the virgin forests were cut and is now dead?
Let's see, a historic district with crack available on every corner.
Maybe the Natchez Preservation Commission can give Ferriday some architectural guidelines for crack houses.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 3:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've posted about the Democrat's old A&P site a couple of times and the silence was deafening. My guess is it ain't gonna happen. From what I've been reading, newspapers (nationally) are not doing a great job financially and I doubt our own local paper would be any different.
If I'm correct, I hope our city officials will take a long hard look at that site. Its probably our last best hope for a good downtown parking area.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about a parking garage downtown...it could have magnolias and old houses painted on the outside so downtown clowns and hoopskirt mafia would like it....as long as it does not have a vent pipe....lol...
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The old A&P site would be an excellent place for a parking garage, and much needed if that new hotel across from the convention center ever gets filled to the brim.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Part of the original plan for the Convention Center in 1992 included purchase of the Fry Building and the adjacent empty lots for erection of a five story parking gargage to support both the Eola and the Convention Center which was supposed to occupy the current bank building and the old A&P...it could have all been solved so many years ago for much less than we are paying now...oh, well, so much for foresight...LOL.
Posted by unclered (anonymous) on May 10, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ferriday looks like a ghetto. I find it depressing to drive through the town.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on May 10, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me get this right. The mofia crews downtown are going to allow a 5 story parking garage to be built but, a vent isn't allowed?? Ok now that makes alot of sense.. How many 5 story parking garages have you ever read or saw in a history book?
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 10, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Strange things are happening! The best of all is that PW is leaving!
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 10, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When i mentioned parking at the old A&P site, I really never figured on a "garage". A gravel lot would be good enough. That would certainly be more than is being provided now. Towns that welcome tourists provide places to park. In some towns the parking is free. In others you have to pay. In Natchez you trust to providence that you might find a spot. If you are pulling a trailer you probably make a circle and leave......
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 10, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A gravel lot is 2nd Class-let's go first Class with concrete!
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 12, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At one time, I thought that the ND had bought the property and was planning to rebuild? Does anyone know the current status on this situation? It sure would be nice for our news Media Outlet!
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