Judge allows time for plan to save Franklin home
Environmental Court Judge Patrick Dandridge on Tuesday gave parties involved in redeveloping Aretha Franklin’s birthplace more time to settle on a plan, but Dandridge said he wants to see progress by the next court date Dec. 17.
Jeffrey Higgs, the court-appointed receiver of the property at 406 Lucy Ave., and Marty Regan, attorney for current property owner Vera House, appeared before Dandridge and said they need more time to bring all the moving parts together.
“We still have a ways to go,” Higgs told the court. “We have some plans, but there are still some issues.”
Regan said he had only begun representing House recently and was just getting up to speed on the case.
Tuesday’s hearing before Dandridge was the latest action in the years-long saga to preserve the dilapidated South Memphis home where Franklin, who died Aug. 16 in Detroit, was born in 1942.
Efforts to save the home have accelerated since Franklin’s death.
Dandridge told Higgs and Regan they can meet with him privately in chambers at the Dec. 17 update if they aren’t ready to discuss plans publicly, but he wants a clear idea at that time of plans for the property. He said his concern was letting the case drag on forever.
Dandridge’s predecessor, retired Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter, came close to declaring the abandoned home a public nuisance in 2016.
Higgs, of the South Memphis Renewal Community Corp., said after the hearing he’s confident a plan that takes into consideration House’s interests is close, and he expects to be able to discuss it in December.
“We’re real close,” Higgs said.
“Most private developers will only reveal what they’ve got when it’s ready. We’ve got the pretty pictures, but I’m not going to reveal it until everything is in place.”
Higgs said some funding is lined up and he feels there’s a “solid plan” that the community will be proud of.
House, who raised 12 children in the Lucy Avenue home, is maneuvering to make sure she isn’t shut out of redevelopment plans.
Community activist Patricia Rogers, speaking on behalf of House, was ready to present Dandridge with a plan Tuesday she has helped House draft that calls for rehabilitating and preserving the house as a museum and gift shop. The plan was not presented after Dandridge agreed to extend discussions until December.
To strengthen House’s stake in advance of Tuesday’s hearing, Rogers has paid off outstanding property taxes and weed-cutting fees totaling about $1,500 since an initial court appearance in August. Higgs said he is including House’s interests in all discussions.
“We’re working with Ms. House in everything we do,” said Higgs, who added that stabilizing the home is the first priority.
House’s plan, unveiled in advance of Tuesday’s hearing, calls for partnering with an unspecified nonprofit and using donated building materials to renovate the 1920s clapboard cottage.
Rogers said sponsors will donate roofing, siding, drywall, flooring, landscaping, security and other items.
The Rev. Hubon Sandridge Jr., a former Memphis City Schools board member, also was in court in support of House.
He said he was concerned about keeping the home at the Lucy Avenue location rather than moving it as has been discussed.
“The authenticity of the house is 406 Lucy,” Sandridge said. “It must remain in the community.”