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Let’s get on the same page, Natchez
Published Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Destruction on Main Street symbolized something very wrong and something very right Monday.
The caved in roof, the pane-less windows and the missing rain gutters of First Baptist Church told the sad story, for years, of what happened to the 1920s structure after the congregation moved out and government stopped working.
Retracing the history of the building for the last three decades shows several missed opportunities to save a piece of downtown history. The preservation commission warned of trouble, but city aldermen did little to stop, and one could argue may have helped, the structure’s demolition.
Overriding or ignoring ordinances and severing the power of the appointed commissions allowed several owners to destroy the building slowly.
The city’s involvement in the destruction of the former FBC is wrong.
But late this summer, St. Mary Basilica entered the picture, followed procedures and is now doing something very right.
Because of previous damage, the building had to go. Less than three months after purchasing the structure, St. Mary is clearing the lot in favor or green space.
It’s a victory for this community when the private sector makes lemons with lemonade. It’s happening more and more lately, thankfully.
But what if public and private worked together and sang from the same hymnal? What kind of beautiful music would we have then?
Comments
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 5:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is the National Park Service given a special "pass" on delapidated structures? How about the Historic Foundation? Don't they own the Ritz which is a huge pile of rubble in the center of downtown? I'd appreciate some answers from anyone "in the know".
Posted by nhs08 (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"...makes lemons with lemonade." Not sure how that works, but I have made lemonade with lemons. Way to go again ND.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
making "lemons with lemonade" is the same theory that a breeder reactor uses to make nuclear fuel.
If someone at the Democrat knows how to do that maybe they could fill a bank account with spending -- or get smart by being dumb.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OGD
Yes the Ritz was bought and donated to the foundation.
The front has had a little restoration but the rest is just filled with some rather large trees.
I don't understand the logic of adding $ 100,000 worth of neon lights to a building with no roof or electric.
(Ever seen roofers work? - that neon won't last long if they even tried to restore more than the facade).
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
natchez1, thanks. You have any idea what the plans are for the lot, empty shell, pile of rubble or whatever else you can call the Ritz? There's a little more than trees inside what's left of the building. I'd call it a potential snake pit. But I'm seriously wanting to know if there is a gross double standard going on - one for out-of-towners and another for the Historic Foundation. Honestly, by Ritz standards, if Arlington had a fence that hid it from public view, there would be no problem and we'd never read of it in the paper. If I'm missing something, I'd love to be educated on it.
The National Park Service, unless I'm incorrect, seems to be incubating some rotting structures on one of our prime entrances into our downtown. This looks awful and I'd love to know why they have not had these removed. They should be expected to be responsible just like everyone else. Actually, they are operating just like everyone else, but that's not the point. If we are going to enforce actions against delapidated structures, NO ONE should be exempt.
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OGD, are those park service people that I see cutting and weedeating that grass down that side of that road? I'm going to be more observant next time thru there.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, but I haven't paid attention to the grass cutting. It could be park service or they may out-source the cutting. But sadly, you've reminded me that I need to cut my own grass. I reckon I'll be busy tomorrow.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OGD
I have no idea what the foundation's long term plan is -
I had heard talk of hoping some dreamer would restore it and open as a classic movie/dollar movie type place.
The foundation wanted to restore the facade and then hope it inspired someone.
The Park Service does own most of the houses along Canal - but they have several people who held out. Some of these are the properties in disrepair. The Park Service has been cleaning up the site - it is better than it was - but much worse than it was before the Park Service wanted to make it a Park.
Kathleen (NPS superintendant) is determined to finish the buying the last few properties and then we will need funding to finish the landscaping etc.
It has taken too long and it has looked awful for too long - but I think it will finally start to improve.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
natchez1, Thanks. I'm glad that someone here is "in the know". This town needs a serious cleanup and some postive direction. The business we get from out-of-towners is all we have left. We really need to look good.
Posted by houstonhustler (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It all goes back to good quality leadership or the lack of.Good leadership and input from those who care about Natchez could have saved this structure.when you have UNQUALIFIED people in place the end result is quite clear,you get nothing done.They bring nothing to the table in the form of positive thinking and looking down the road to the future,for years nothing was done to keep the road along the bluffs from falling into the river then some one had a brain storm and finally started to work on the problem.It takes leadership,common sense,education and effort to preserve our past.It is a sad thing when people cant work together for the good of all who live in the community.any one can hold office but it takes a person with insight and vision to make a difference and gain the support of the community to make things happen.A good start would be to clean up the junk cars off the streets,driveways,clean up the trash in the yards and paint the houses to make it look half way descent,all this creats a health hazard in the neighborhood not to mention fire hazards etc,Its going to take a lot of work.But it can happen
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