Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NATCHEZ — The work of the Downtown Natchez Alliance was honored last week by the Mississippi Main Street Association annual award banquet.

The Mississippi Main Street program is celebrating its 40th year.

The Downtown Natchez Alliance received the award for Best “Main Street” Plan for its site plan for Hiram Revels’ Plaza, which will be constructed at the MLK Triangle, located on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street and St. Catherine streets.

In addition, the Downtown Natchez Alliance was among 30 in the state to receive the Main Street Circle of Excellence award, recognition for its notable efforts in running efficient local programs and excelling with all MMSA requirements of a designated Main Street program.

“Seeing the dozens of awards given to Main Street communities from across the state was inspiring,” said Kevin Miers, Downtown Natchez Alliance executive director.

“It really gave me a wider perspective of the work that DNA can accomplish, as well as tons of ideas. I was really impressed with the size of the network that Mississippi Main Street Association has created,” he said.

Norma West is a trustee of Zion Chapel Church, which owned the triangle property and has since donated it to the City of Natchez only to develop Hirams Revels Plaza. She is chairperson for the project and represents Zion Chapel in the Downtown Natchez Alliance.

“It was an honor,” West said. “I was able to be there for the presentation of the award. We were very pleased about our project getting that award. Some of the trustees and our pastor — the Rev. Birdon Mitchell Jr. — were also able to travel for the award ceremony.”

“We are so grateful for the team who has worked so hard to make these plans for Revels Plaza now so close to being implemented,” said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson.

“This great man from Mississippi was a trailblazer in so many ways. Our country has not properly honored him, but the time has now come to change that. Words are inadequate to say thank you to Zion Chapel, Friends of the Riverfront, the Downtown Natchez Alliance, and so many others who have worked behind the scenes,” Gibson said. “Great things are happening in Natchez!”