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Natchez praised for adaptive reuse of large, vacant buildings.

Article Excerpt
Natchez has come in for its share of LUMPS. In this case, LUMPS stands for Large Unused Municipal Properties, a livable cities program that recognizes excellence in the adaptive reuse of large, vacant buildings in the city.

Most people know that Natchez has done a great job preserving its treasure of antebellum homes and other buildings. Less well known is that the city's dedication to historic preservation has also sparked renovations of post-Civil War structures. Buildings that were eyesores that could attract crime and vandalism have instead been renovated into uses such as homes for the elderly and women and children who have been victims of domestic abuse.

Johnny Waycaster, owner of the architectural firm Waycaster & Associates, said the City of Natchez aggressively seeks to market or re-establish vacant buildings into the best use possible. Vacant schools and a hospital have come alive again being adapted into apartments and other uses.

"Those vacant, existing buildings have been developed by, in some cases,...

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