NATCHEZ — Now that the bean field is in city hands, officials are looking at what to do with the 37-acre plot.

However, the land’s use comes with a few stipulations.

Former city attorney Walter Brown said because the bean field borders the Natchez Trace Parkway, St. Catherine Creek and Natchez High School, several stakeholders need to be involved in the “bean field conversation.”

“It has to be developed for educational or recreational use,” Brown said. “The land needs to complement the school and the parkway.”

The land transfer was first conceived in 1999 as part of a big picture plan for long-term development of a recreation complex.

And although plans for the complex were discussed, Brown said no action was ever taken.

Ideally, Brown said he would like to see the property used as a park commemorating Natchez history.

“I would like to see something like a tricentennial park established,” Brown said. “That’s something that I — and the city — could be proud of.”

For any kind of construction to begin, Brown said city leaders and National Park Service representatives would first need to collaborate and come to some consensus of what that park would look like, and what amenities it would offer.

Outlined in recently passed House Bill 787, the city also acquired two other land plots near the bean field, which also must meet a certain criteria for future use.

According to the legislation, the three parcels of land — 21 acres, 37 acres (the bean field) and 30 acres — must all be used for public recreational or educational uses that are compatible with the Natchez Trace Parkway.

However, when those “uses” will actually be implemented is still to be determined.

“Right now, we’re at a point where the city needs to collaborate with stakeholders, like the park service,” Brown said. “A collaborative concept needs to be met.”

Because these properties now belong to the city, Brown said the board also has the option of selling land.

Specifically, Brown said the board has considered selling the 30-acre plot for potential commercial use.

“The sale of the property of the 30-acre track certainly needs to be well thought out for the best use of the land not only to produce the maximum amount of money, but we want it to be compatible with the highway,” Brown said.

Once appraised values are given to these properties, Brown said a more comprehensive plan can move forward.

Currently, Brown said he hopes for the city to begin mapping out a concept by June 1.