There is a photo and story on Page One of today’s Tate Record that shows part of a building being torn down in downtown Senatobia.
That portion of the building had a long history and some of you reading that story will have long memories of that building. But time marches on and while the memories remain the building had seen better days.
That leads your Tate Record to point out that nothing lasts forever and property that is not maintained or made useful to the community needs to be torn down for something new.
Downtown Senatobia has changed a lot over the past few years and more change is coming. A new restaurant is on the horizon and several retail shops opened before Christmas.
Our downtown is quaint, compact and surrounded by a Courthouse, Library, Post Office, City Hall, Police Station and even has a round-about on one end. It has so much potential. There are communities that wish they were so lucky.
But there are problems, too. Some of our downtown buildings are in very poor shape, they are a fire hazard and danger of falling in or on someone. No one wants that to happen.
Spring will soon be upon us and your Tate Record urges those downtown property owners to plan for renovations and repairs during the 2026 construction season. If owners don’t have the capital for repairs, maybe it is time to look at selling the property to someone who does.
We also hope downtown property owners realize Senatobia’s downtown is the heart of this community and community development always starts with a renovated and remodeled downtown and spreads outward.
We urge city leaders, code enforcement, planners and developers to stay on downtown property owners who are not being good neighbors.
At this point your Tate Record would like to say it is very hard to tell someone what to do with their property. This is still America and your really can’t make independent-minded property owners do anything they really don’t want to. No one can tell you what price to charge for your property.
Not every old historic building filled with memories and long line of local owners can or should be saved. There comes a point when it is time to make room for a new building, a new idea and a new place for someone to run a new business.
Let’s make Downtown Senatobia a place where people want to come and eat, shop, get their hair cut and maybe visit their accountant, attorney or doctor.
Let’s build something for our children to make a memory in. Let’s build something for the future.
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