There are mixed emotions when it comes to the formation of an additional historic district within Yazoo City.
Both supporters and objectors were present during last Thursday’s public hearing on the creation of a new historic district in central Yazoo City.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen took no action on the matter, but they will vote on the district’s future at the next city council meeting.
The proposed district will include certain areas from Clay Avenue to East Powell Street and Canal Street. A large section of Grand Avenue, College Street and Calhoun Avenue will fall into the proposed area.
Supporters of the new district are excited about the possibility of preserving Yazoo’s rich history, as well as improving the quality of life and increasing real estate value.
But objectors are uneasy about the regulations that will come with a new district. Many have said it is a “fear of the unknown.”
The Supporters
Katie Heckler, who serves on the Historic Preservation Commission and lives in the current historic district, said the proposed district has great benefits.
“People are passionate about their homes,” she said. “This is especially true of people who live in old houses because we have to work on them so much.”
Historic homes are scattered throughout Yazoo City, Heckler said. The district will preserve and protect many of those homes.
“Yazoo City is a one of a kind place,” Heckler said. “We moved to Yazoo City because we wanted an old house. We moved here because of all of the good things about Yazoo City, including her people. But it was also because there was a historic district. A historic district meant the community was progressive yet honored its past.”
Heckler said an added historic district will bring a lot to the table for Yazoo City. Not only will it instill pride, but Heckler said she feels it will give the community “something to work with” in the future.
“Having a historic district, historic homes and historic buildings make Yazoo Cit appealing...” Heckler said. “Yazoo City has a reputation throughout its history with people in leadership and entertainment...Yazoo City is important in that direction.”
But Heckler said the city could also add historic structure to its list of appealing attractions.
Another historic district would also increase the local tax base and tourism, Heckler said.
“Yazoo City is the only Yazoo City in the world, and we are one of a kind,” Heckler said. “Since we don’t have millions of dollars in an advertising budget and we can’t afford a national public relations campaign, we need to take advantage of what we do have...historic homes and buildings.”
Paul Cartwright, who was instrumental in compiling the historic district’s proposal, said he personally began the process in 2008.
The proposed district has an abundance of local history, Cartwright said.
“After the Fire of 1904, a lot of merchants began to develop up Grand Avenue,” he said.
Cartwright said the surrounding area has about 107 Victorian-era homes. The North and College Street areas have many homes from the 1920s to 1930s. The Clay Street area also many African-American historic structures.
Michelle Jones, with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, said 61 communities in the state have local preservation ordinances. But she said the city council is the “end governing authority.”
“If you think the boundaries should be re-drawn, our department will be more than happy to talk to you about it,” she told the city board.
The Objections
Sarah Sheffield, a member of local preservation foundation, said she would be very excited about adding another historic district to the community. But she has reservations.
“But what will you do with it when you can oversee the one you already have,” Sheffield asked the city council. “How are you going to enforce the ordinances that are not enforced already.”
Sheffield said she has pleaded with the board to enforce building codes within the already established historic district. But she said with the council’s lack of response, she almost “feels stupid.”
“It’s too much,” she added. “You can’t take care of what you have in the historic district.”
Bobby Barton, who owns a home in the proposed area, said he had too many questions before he can support the proposed district.
“I would still like to have some freedom,” Barton said. “If I wanted to put a tin roof on my house, what is the historic preservation tells me that it needs to be shingled? I don’t want anybody prohibiting me from doing what I want to do with my property.”
Rev. Clint Richie, pastor of First Baptist Church, said has a lot of concerns about “the unknown.” The church falls into the proposed area.
“There are always changes being made in our church, upgrades,” he said. “What freedom will we have to do that?”
The church owned the historic Ingram House on Grand Avenue, which was recently demolished.
“The termites ate it up a long time ago,” Ritchie explained. “Any future plans we have for that property could be limited.”
Ritchie added that when he and his family moved to Yazoo City, he didn’t see historic homes.
“All I saw were the people,” he added.
Jones said the proposed district would not restrict people in certain projects
“They (the historic preservation) are not going to tell people what they can do to their homes,” Jones said.
