Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell’s vision for improving technology at the Natchez Convention Center is good.

Grennell recently outlined his belief that the city’s convention center is dated.

He’s correct. It is dated, but it’s also been poorly maintained in a few areas and perhaps never brought up to high quality standards in other areas.

Since its inception, the building’s sound system has been less than acceptable.

And the last time we were inside the main auditorium, paint was peeling from the underside of the main hall’s ceiling.

Grennell envisions more technology in the works for the center.

But before the city throws money into building or creating a convention center app, the city would be wise to first simply stop, examine the current status of the facility and focus on improving the basics that go into making a a high quality meeting space.

A quality sound system and fresh paint should likely come before apps and high definition monitors.

Of course, all of these items need to wait until the city’s review of the building’s finances is complete.

The convention center is an important building in the city’s repertoire, but it also must be managed well to fully reap the benefits.