Council votes to dissolve Beale Street tourism board

The Memphis City Council voted Tuesday to dissolve the Beale Street Tourism Development Authority, which had lapsed into inactivity after deciding against hiring a street manager last year.

The council unanimously approved a resolution immediately ending the board's authority and starting the transfer of the board's assets back to the city. Council members Martavius Jones and Jamita Swearengen co-sponsored the resolution.

The vote follows months of debate and accusations proffered without evidence that the BSTDA's decision not to hire street manager finalist 21 Beale Street Inc. was motivated by racism. Board members said the decision was based on the group's lack of experience managing an entertainment district and several "red flags" in the past of some of its principals.

Council attorney Allan Wade recently said the council overstepped its authority by creating a task force to find a manager because Mayor Jim Strickland has sole contracting authority.

City Chief Operations Officer Doug McGowen said the administration will meet with the interim street manager Downtown Memphis Commission before deciding next steps. The DMC has offered to manager the street long term.

Reach Ryan Poe at poe@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at @ryanpoe.