Long before the first Natchez mansion was ever considered, let alone constructed, Natchez possessed its most amazing and most lasting characteristic — beautiful views overlooking the Mississippi River.

The bluffs are what made Natchez become such a wonderful place to live in the first place for early settlers. Our bluffs continue to be a part of what makes the community special today.

Ironically, though, the two most beautiful pieces of property along the riverfront sit undeveloped.

For years, the City of Natchez has entertained would-be developers who ride into town promising the moon as they hope to build the city’s second casino at the Roth Hill site at the foot of Main Street. So far those dreams have all vanished and their promises floated away.

The city would be wise to move on and consider other options for the site. Thus far, dreams of a casino have yet to materialize. If the market were truly ripe for a second casino, one would have been funded by now.

On top of the bluff, another idea that seemed promising also has yet to materialize. Plans to develop condominiums atop the former pecan factory site also appear to have stalled indefinitely after the developers, the city and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History argued over the site.

Today, just like Roth Hill, though at the moment in private hands, the site sits idle with no real development apparently imminent.

The city sold the land with the understanding that condos would be developed. Since that hasn’t happened, perhaps the city should seek to get the property back?

Two of our most valuable, most timeless pieces of property in the city remain indefinitely idled and that needs to change before this chapter of Natchez becomes history.