The City of Natchez floundered in its handling of the renovations of former train depot on Broadway Street.

Few people familiar with the situation would disagree with that statement.

The city initially entered into a deal with a handpicked developer before eventually rethinking the deal and starting over.

City leaders said they planned to seek out proposals for developers who have ideas for how best to use the historic building.

Thus far that request for proposals has not been made.

The very public building, which serves as the head of the Natchez Trails, has sat vacant for far too long. It’s time for the project to move ahead.

We believe the city would be wise to simply finish the interior renovations of the depot by themselves. Once the building is substantially completed then the city can determine how best the building may be utilized.

The building is a beautiful, historic building in one of the most public, most used areas of the city — used by visitors and locals alike.

Having it sit vacant and unfinished poorly reflects our city’s leadership in the minds of residents and visitors alike.

Let’s get the project rolling again and make the building a site in which all of us can take pride.