For Natchez

IN CALENDAR YEAR 2016, THE CITY OF NATCHEZ CELEBRATED ITS TRICENTENNIAL AS THE OLDEST PERMANENT EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. DURING THIS YEAR, F.O.R NATCHEZ FOCUSED ITS PROGRAMMING ON EVENTS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN "THE NEXT 300 YEARS: THE DOWNTOWN NATCHEZ REVITALIZATION PROJECT," A PROFESSIONAL STUDY AND CITY PLANNING PROCESS THAT WAS OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY THE CITY OF NATCHEZ IN OCTOBER 2015. THE STUDY AREA INCLUDES THE ENTIRE DOWNTOWN, ANCHORED ON ONE END BY THE 200-FOOT BLUFF OVERLOOKING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ON THE OTHER END BY THE TRADITIONAL BLACK BUSINESS DISTRICT ALONG MARTIN LUTHER KING STREET. IN 2016, THE FOR NATCHEZ BOARD MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND/OR CITY PLANNING CONSULTANT PHIL WALKER MADE A DOZEN OR MORE PRESENTATIONS TARGETING CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS, BUSINESS LEADERS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE . THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED PRESENTATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL, THE PLANNING COMMISSION, PRIVATE CLUBS AND GROUPS, PUBLIC MEETINGS, A 5K RUN TO GARNER THE ATTENTION OF YOUNGER RESIDENTS, AND A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FEATURING NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, RADIO PROMOTIONS, AND A SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN. THE OVERALL GOAL WAS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE UPCOMING 2017 STUDY AND THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INPUT INTO THE STUDY PROCESS. ALSO, IN 2016, FOR NATCHEZ SPEARHEADED THE FORMATION OF A PUBLIC-PRIVATE ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE CITY, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, ZION CHAPEL AME, THE HISTORIC NATCHEZ FOUNDATION, THE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE, THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY, AND FOR NATCHEZ TO ESTABLISH THE TRIANGLE BLACK HISTORY STATION IN THE OLD TRIANGLE FILLING STATION IN THE HEART OF THE BLACK HISTORY DISTRICT. THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY AND WILL FEATURE A MUSEUM QUALITY DISPLAY ON BLACK HISTORY IN A PAVILION. THE FOR NATCHEZ REVITALIZATION STUDY OFFICIALLY BEGAN IN MARCH 2017. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN PHASE 2 OF FOUR PHASES.