NATCHEZ &045; Former mayors said Monday they understand well the type of pressures a mayor faces when trying to balance economic development projects while still being sensitive to historic preservation interests.

&uot;That’s an issue anywhere, but it’s always been a major issue in Natchez,&uot; former Mayor David Armstrong said Monday.

&uot;It’s a very tight rope to walk for the mayor and the Board of Aldermen,&uot; said Tony Byrne, also an ex-mayor. &uot;We have to be very sensitive to our local preservation ordinances.&uot;

But Byrne also knows economic development must be a concern. That was his concern when, during his administration, the city decided to go ahead with the extension of Main Street and Melrose-Montebello Parkway, which impacted antebellum properties.

&uot;I caught the devil,&uot; Byrne said. &uot;But it’s funny &045; the people who drove down those streets on their way to social functions a few years after that happened loved it and forgot they ever opposed it.&uot;

Both Armstrong and Byrne said they doubt the Natchez Pecan Shelling Co. building itself has any major historical significance and said it should probably be demolished, but that the mayor should follow existing laws and ordinances &045;&160;if for no other reason but to keep himself and the city from being sued.

Mayor Phillip West, on Friday, said the city will tear down the building despite the Department of Archives and History’s statement that, under state law, it has the right to review the site to see if it qualifies as a state historic landmark.

If it does qualify as such a landmark, Archives and History would have the right to OK plans for any development on the site.

Some locals have said the $19 million condo development proposed for the site doesn’t fit in with the character of the surrounding buildings or comply with city ordinances and design guidelines. City officials have said the condos would bring in $300,000 a year in tax revenue and spur further riverfront development.

&uot;I should have probably torn (the pecan factory building) when I was mayor and would have, but the law is very clear that Archives and History has a legal right to review it,&uot; Armstrong said.

&uot;I would caution the mayor to follow those procedures. Š And if Archives and History (didn’t approve), I would challenge their decision.&uot;

While cautioning that &uot;there may be things about this situations that Mayor West knows that I don’t,&uot; Byrne said his action in such a situation &uot;would depend on what the city attorney told me.&uot;

But the two former mayors did have things for current public officials to keep in mind.

For one, Armstrong said, officials should note that &uot;this type of controversy sends a bad message to prospective investors in this town. The condo developers should meet with the Preservation Commission and get this thing worked out.&uot;

And far as how to balance preservation and economic development is concerned, Byrne said officials should judge projects on a case-by-case basis.

Other than that, he said, &uot;you have to let common sense be your guide.&uot;