Renovation of the Lassiter Building on Main Street, Hamlet, is high on the agenda for the city and is scheduled to begin this month, Mayor Jeff Smart said.

“This will give us yet another very attractive building for our artifacts which will accent our current Historic Hamlet Depot,” he said.

Also to begin this year is transforming the interior of the depot into a professional museum.

“Our depot board has worked very hard over the past four years to maintain our current museum,” Smart said. “These volunteers deserve all of the credit.”

He said the renovation stage will take the museum to another level “which should continue to attract tourists from all parts of North Carolina and the Southeastern United States.”

Despite all the economic challenges over the past year, Smart said the city has been able to maintain its current budget by “cutting costs, working smarter and watching every dime that is spent. Our city employees are to be commended for this.”

Hamlet is a recipient of the N.C. Small Town Main Street assistance program.

Smart said, “This program provides us with assistance in working toward revitalizing our downtown areas. The assistance of experienced advisors which comes with the award is unbelievable.”

For the program to succeed, Smart said the city is looking for numerous volunteers to become involved in the planning process.

“All business owners in the downtown area and all concerned citizens should be involved in this program,” he said.

The Small Town Main Street group meets from 6 to 7 p.m. every third Tuesday of each month at Hamlet City Hall.

“With everyone’s help, this program can take us to a another level so we can have an attractive package for current and future businesses,” Smart said. There will be monetary investments needed.

The atmosphere change will also continue with the overall appearance of the city, he said. “The major issues for Hamlet in 2009 will continue to be those about abandoned houses and buildings and abandoned businesses,” Smart said.

The focus of the city will be on how to keep city streets clean on a consistent basis as well as demolishing abandoned structures which have become eyesores.

“If we have to increase our workforce in order to keep our streets and sidewalks clean, then we must do it,” Smart said. “Hopefully our city council members will all agree and work hard to find the funds for this.”

He said the city will continue to grow relationships with neighboring municipalities and the county’s officials. “By working together, all of our municipalities can benefit greatly,” Smart said. “We want to be a part of industrial growth throughout Richmond County. We will do what we have to do to be a team player.”