NATCHEZ – Use of the old Carpenter School No. 1 as apartments for the elderly is close to becoming a reality, Community Development Director James Johnston told aldermen during their Tuesday meeting.

&uot;The inspection went well,&uot; Johnston said, referring to a recent inspection by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. &uot;The building will be occupied by the end of this year.&uot;

The North Union Street building, which has been vacant since the 1980s, has been converted into 38 apartments for those 55 and older.

Johnston also announced that Natchez census tracts 3 and 4 have been designated as a revitalization community.

That will allow educators and law enforcement personnel to purchase U.S. Housing and Urban Development properties in those areas at half price, he said.

Also during Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting:

*Aldermen voted to get Brown to draft a resolution asking that the track field at Natchez High School be named for longtime teacher and coach Henry &uot;Doc&uot; Woods.

The resolution will be sent to the Natchez-Adams County School Board and the Adams County Board of Supervisors.

*Aldermen voted to set up a meeting for Joyce Arceneaux, Ricky Gray, Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith and David Gardner to discuss drainage problems on Buckner’s Alley and Oak, Maple and Wall streets, and Ward 2.

*Aldermen voted to convert a loading zone on Main Street to another parking space.