While Brookhaven has always enjoyed a strong downtown, recentefforts have the potential to make the area more energetic andvibrant than ever.

The most recent effort, begun last week, involves the replantingof flowers in 77 planters around the downtown. Residents Terry andHollie Pappas, in conjunction with Brookhaven Beautiful, areleading the volunteer effort that includes many businessessponsoring the flower-planting plan.

The Pappases are among a growing number of people who now calldowntown home thanks to business owners’ decisions to renovateupstairs areas for apartments. Just a few short years ago, barely ahandful of people lived in the downtown area.

Mississippi Arts Commission Director Malcolm White, whiledelivering a brick to commemorate MAC funding for a renovationproject at The Haven, applauded Brookhaven’s downtown for thenumber of residences developed in recent years. Brookhaven LittleTheatre leaders are also to be commended for their plan to restorethe historic building, which is another positive downtownattraction.

Like White, others are taking note of the things that downtownBrookhaven has to offer.

Just last week, a group of homeschoolers from Jackson made thetrip to Brookhaven to see its downtown, which the students’ leadercalled “charming.”

“Our kids don’t get to see much like this at home,” said NatalieCriss.

And that’s a key point to remember when talking aboutBrookhaven. We need to continue to look for ways to capitalize onthe unique atmosphere that exists in downtown.

City and community leaders have worked hard to maintain a strongdowntown. Recent efforts will go a long way toward ensuring itstays that way.