NATCHEZ, Miss. — City aldermen are getting an architect to draft designs to finish renovating the old Broadway Street railroad depot, an historic landmark the state is helping Natchez convert into a visitors center.
The long-delayed renovation — which was stalled in 2016 after nearly $1 million was spent to refurbish the century-old building’s exterior — is to resume with about $190,000 the city has to finish the interior. Plans call for it to have public restrooms, a visitors information center and a small theater to show films about Natchez.
Natchez in January received a $144,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives & History for the city-owned train depot. The Natchez Board of Aldermen has allocated an additional $48,000 for the building’s restoration.
The board voted 4-1 Tuesday to hire Natchez architect Johnny Waycaster to draw up plans. Alderman Billie Joe Frazier was the lone dissenter. He said he’s “leery about spending taxpayers’ money” on the building after years of sinking so much money into its restoration and still more to do.
Mayor Dan Gibson said he hopes to come up with more money for pavement needed outside the building. Interior restoration plans are focused only on the southern half of the depot.
Built circa 1915, the train station is a state-designated Mississippi Landmark. It was built for the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad and later used by the Illinois Central Railroad. Its passenger train service ceased in Natchez by 1945, according to historical accounts. The building later became a restaurant and souvenir shop.
It was leased in 2020 to movie producers Tate Taylor and John Norris to refurbish into a restaurant and music venue, but that got scrapped last year because it wasn’t financially feasible.
Thanks for the update.