Hope for Revival

The First National Bank of Waynesboro recently purchased several lots on West Sixth Street with plans to demolish existing dilapidated structures and beautify the property.

Now, members of the historic Thomas Grove Baptist Church are pursuing plans to build a family center in the same neighborhood, across from the church and behind the city-owned playground next to the old cemetery.

The Waynesboro City Council seems willing to cooperate by trading some city owned lots in exchange for the church demolishing dilapidated structures on the property. There are, however, legitimate legal concerns about the deal as expressed by City Attorney Chris Dube. A suggestion that the city utilize the newly formed Land Bank Authority is a good one. The land bank is a city/county authority created to facilitate the return of property seized for tax delinquency to taxable status. Although the church-owned lots may, in fact, be non-taxable, the improvement of the neighborhood could increase nearby property values.

That part of town has been a high crime area for a long time. Now, private entities are stepping up to make an effort to make things better for the residents of the area.

First National Bank has taken the lead in downtown development efforts for a number of years and we're glad they've expanded their efforts to West Sixth Street. The Thomas Grove project could give the neighborhood the impetus it needs to begin a revival.

We urge city officials to work expeditiously to help make it a reality.