A Mississippi Landmark in Natchez may soon have a new life if bills passed by the Mississippi House and Senate become law soon.

The Senate unanimously passed an amendment to a general bond bill that would provide up to $6 million to help renovate the former Margaret Martin School building on Homochitto Street.

The facility is desperately in need of significant renovation after years of neglect.

Several outspoken citizens have suggested the building doesn’t need to be renovated because it’s simply too far gone and the cost of repair will outweigh the cost of building a new facility.

That myopic viewpoint missed the most critical piece of Margaret Martin — it’s a historic building that represents an important period of architectural significance.

Saying Margaret Martin should be demolished is like suggesting that Stanton Hall or Rosalie are simply old buildings that should not be saved.

Margaret Martin is a beautiful facility that can — and should — be repurposed.

We are glad the state appears to be poised to step up and help preserve the historic building for generations to come.

We realize the bills are not final yet, but we congratulate the small but determined group of people who were working and lobbying for the building to receive the state funds it deserves.