[7/8/03]City officials are seeking plans to redevelop a vacant building under downtown urban revitalization.

The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Monday to advertise for proposals for the property at 1501 Washington St., purchased in April for $68,000. The building is one of 20 properties identified in the first phase of urban renewal for redevelopment as part of the $5.6 million downtown improvements.

“We’ve been looking hard for some people who are interested in renovating properties downtown and this is our first one,” said South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman. “I think we’re going to see something really exciting.”

City officials did not give any details, but said they have already been contacted by a developer interested in the building at South and Washington streets. City Planner Wayne Mansfield said that several other properties will be offered up for redevelopment while others, such as Walnut Towers at 1500 Walnut St., will be held by the city for public use.

The last tenant in the Washington Street building was a bar that many downtown merchants complained about after several incidents including gun shots from the area. Mayor Laurence Leyens, who is out of town, said later in a telephone interview that the developer has begun architectural drawings for the property that include professional office spaces.

“It’s exactly what we’re looking for,” Leyens said.

Leyens, whose family owns the former Valley Department Store building directly across South Street from 1501 Washington St., said he has become used to criticism from people who say he will personally benefit from downtown revitalization.

“My family has owned The Valley since 1881, and I didn’t run for mayor just to improve its property value,” Leyens said.

In addition to his interest in The Valley building, Leyens owns property at 1208 Washington St. and his home on Cherry and South streets. He also is part-owner of the B’nai Brith Literary Club on Clay Street, which is rented out for receptions and other gatherings.

Each of those properties was left out of plans for downtown improvement, although Leyens admits his interests will be helped by improving all of downtown.

“I don’t win until everybody else wins, too,” he said.

State law allows the city to buy property identified in an urban renewal zone, rehabilitate the buildings and then sell them to private developers or keep them for public use.

Appraisals are done on each property, and the value is reviewed by a second appraiser before the city makes an offer. Acquiring property in downtown is part of the city’s $5.6 million revitalization plan being funded out of a $17.5 million in bonds issued in November 2001.

In all, the city plans to acquire 48 properties during the next 10 years and sell them to people who pledge to improve them or set them aside for public use. Plans also call for 20 businesses to be moved.

City officials said they will be offering more properties for redevelopment as they identify people interested in renovating those buildings.