NATCHEZ — He showed up.

Dr. Thomas Vaughan, owner of the dilapidated historic landmark that is Arlington, pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of demolition by neglect and abandonment of a motor vehicle — a violation of a historical preservation ordinance, Municipal Judge Jim Blough said.

Vaughan’s trial is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 2 in Natchez Municipal Court, Blough said. But before then, Vaughan is scheduled to appear at a status conference at 11 a.m. Nov. 20.

“(Vaughan) is in the process of trying to finalize some plans to take care of problems on the property,” Blough said. “What we’re looking for is a written plan of how (Vaughan) is going to cure this.”

Blough said plans for the property must be written and signed by Vaughan.

Building Inspector Paul Dawes doubted Vaughan would appear in court, telling the Natchez Preservation Commission Thursday he did not anticipate such an outcome.

“Bless his heart. I’m glad to hear he did (show up),” Dawes said. “Apparently he’s going to be cooperative to some extent, but it all remains to be seen how it’s all going to shake out.

“We’ve got a ways to go yet.”