Opposition swells as mediation continues
$60M set for park that hosts Memphis in May’s festivals
Mediation between Memphis in May organizers and the Memphis River Parks Partnership is still a tightly kept secret, but Carol Coletta said it is expected to wrap up “soon.”
“Mediation is ongoing and we continue to work through some final details,” said Coletta, who is president of the Memphis River Parks Partnership. “We’re very optimistic that we’re going to reach an agreement soon for a great signature park that will host a great festival.”
Although plans for the riverfront redesign will have to be reviewed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, mediation itself was never on hold, according to Robert Griffin, vice president of marketing for
“I don’t think any city-funded entity should try to ram a renovation of Tom Lee Park down the public’s throat.”
Memphis in May.
“I think the hopes are the same as what every Memphian hopes just like what MRPP says, that we have a fantastic park that can accommodate Memphis in May activities and perhaps have enhancements to an already great park,” Griffin said.
Griffin said no end date is set for mediation.
Amy Howell Public relations executive
Retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Janice Holder began mediating the talks between the two organizations in March after they clashed over whether the festival’s events could fit within the proposed renovations, which include three open lawns surrounded by trees, landscaping and rolling hills. Other features of the plan include a habitat tower and shaded activity courts.
As mediation continues behind closed doors, opposition to the proposed $60 million renovation of the park that hosts Memphis in May’s signature music and barbecue festivals has continued to swell.
On July 1, the Memphis Metropolitan Hotel & Lodging Association, Memphis Restaurant Association and the Beale Street Merchants Association issued a statement saying, “If Memphis in May events are relocated or restructured it could have a devastating effect on downtown businesses and cause a loss in critical tax revenue.”
Memphis in May has a $137 million economic impact and brings in $3.5 million in local tax revenues.
Others are also weighing in, including citizens on Facebook groups where posts have lobbed accusations of corruption and incompetence at the people behind the proposed renovations.
A petition to “Save ‘Tom Lee’ Park, Memphis in May, Riverside Drive” has garnered more than 5,500 signatures.
Earlier this week, public relations executive Amy Howell also posted a blog saying that she is “against poorly planned, rushed taxpayer-funded projects like what the MRPP has planned for Tom Lee Park.” She has participated in Memphis in May’s barbecue competition in the past.
Howell said she’s seen a number of projects in Memphis go poorly: Beale Street Landing, the Memphis Pyramid, neglect on Mud Island.
“I’ve been a longtime supporter of downtown Memphis, and I love Tom Lee Park. We enjoy the wide open space,” Howell said. “I don’t think any city-funded entity should try to ram a renovation of Tom Lee Park down the public’s throat.”
Some opposition to the project has revolved around how Memphis River Parks Partnership has not pulled permits with the Army Corps of Engineers, although MRPP says they can’t do so until a plan is finalized and that the group has been involved along the way.
Yet even as some oppose the project, the Memphis River Parks Partnership has continued building funding. Just last month, the Shelby County Commission committed $10 million to be disbursed over three years. Previously, the City of Memphis had initiated $10 million in funding from tourism development funds and the state had matched with $10 million.
The balance will come from private money, where they’ve had a “great start,” Coletta said.
While they don’t have a petition for their supporters, Coletta said the recently renovated River Garden park is being used more than ever before and that people are flocking to Mud Island to see the new Memphis sign, indications of the successful work being done on the riverfront.
“We truly believe we’re close,” Coletta said. “We always know that anytime you do something, you take a big step forward, controversy always comes along with it.
“This is just part of what you do to get to the future. We’re very upbeat about the future of the riverfront and of Tom Lee Park, of Memphis in May and our city.”
Katherine Burgess covers county government, religion and the suburbs. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com, 901-5292799 or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.