(05-20-2019 04:53 PM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote:  It's all BS. They hired Carol Coletta to come back from Chicago to totally screw up our park and funnel money to whoever has their hand in the pot this week.

It will RUIN the gorgeous sightlines of the river, the sweeping vista you see as you come down Riverside Drive, and make those condos on the bluff perching points for a constant circus.

It will destroy Music Fest and hurt the BBQ contest. Like what city turns' its back on its greatest asset when it invites the whole world to come and party the whole month of May?

Developers are buying up every square foot of land in this town for building, from our riverfront to house lots in East Memphis and everything in between. WHY? Thousands of Milennials are moving here, and they have very good jobs. HOW? Our Mayor and his cronies are as crooked at they come. We are now probably a more corrupt city than Chicago or New Orleans. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, follow the money. That is the only thing that makes sense about these hideous "developments."

I agree 100%. They are going to ruin that park. It is a fantastic setting the way it is. Its a million dollar view. Why they would want to block all that is insane. I hope the city council and mayor show some backbone and vote to stop this.

What's the old saying? "If it aint broke, don't fix it."

BTW, I wouldn't say Memphis is corrupt as you seem to think it is. All places have fishy stuff going on. And Memphis has always allowed developers to "drive the bus" on many issues. But you are talking a different league when you mention Chicago and New Orleans (lol). The FBI has investigated and sent many politicians to jail over the years in those towns. That's hasn't happened too much here. Some, but not a lot.

Much like crazy weather and unbearable traffic, a lot of people like to think that their city is stupidly corrupt.

Most places are like this. Some cities make us look pristine and without sin with regards to corruption.

Does anyone have the feeling that the political cronies just moved from the fairground to Tom Lee park?

(05-25-2019 09:22 AM)ncrdbl1 Wrote:  Does anyone have the feeling that the political cronies just moved from the fairground to Tom Lee park?

Remind me just were the fairgrounds are again? Landers center?

the fairgrounds are where

the musicfest use to be

great shows with multiple stages

saw stevie for the first time at musicfest

(05-26-2019 08:32 PM)Unionman76 Wrote:  the fairgrounds are where

the musicfest use to be

great shows with multiple stages

saw stevie for the first time at musicfest

That's where I attended the festival back in the earlier part of the 80s...great times had by all!

(05-26-2019 08:32 PM)Unionman76 Wrote:  the fairgrounds are where

the fairgrounds use to be

Fixed

(05-31-2019 05:14 PM)GermantownTiger Wrote:  

(05-26-2019 08:32 PM)Unionman76 Wrote:  the fairgrounds are where

the musicfest use to be

great shows with multiple stages

saw stevie for the first time at musicfest

That's where I attended the festival back in the earlier part of the 80s...great times had by all!

Wasn't the music fest at the Fairgrounds called the Cotton Carnival music festival? How long did they have it? How many stages? I barely remember it.

Is the new riverfront project a done deal or is there a chance of nixing it?

(06-09-2019 10:14 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  Is the new riverfront project a done deal or is there a chance of nixing it?

It's paused for a review by the Corps of Engineers or another agency.

(06-10-2019 02:36 AM)kabluey Wrote:  

(06-09-2019 10:14 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  Is the new riverfront project a done deal or is there a chance of nixing it?

It's paused for a review by the Corps of Engineers or another agency.

And if the Corps approve it will resume mediation between the two parties. It isn’t done yet, but the support to stop it from happening needs to continue.

(06-13-2019 03:39 AM)Dak10 Wrote:  

(06-10-2019 02:36 AM)kabluey Wrote:  

(06-09-2019 10:14 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  Is the new riverfront project a done deal or is there a chance of nixing it?

It's paused for a review by the Corps of Engineers or another agency.

And if the Corps approve it will resume mediation between the two parties. It isn’t done yet, but the support to stop it from happening needs to continue.

Let's talk before we send the bulldozers to Tom Lee Park

Quote:Let's talk before we send the bulldozers to Tom Lee Park
By John Doyle

Published: May 05, 2019 12:39 PM CT

Our city is back in the national limelight and on many travel itineraries as Memphis in May once again stages its world-class events in Tom Lee Park, taking advantage of one of the country’s best venues and, undoubtedly, one of the best vistas of the Mighty Mississippi in the United States.

For over 40 years, Memphis in May has invited Memphians, and the world, to our city’s cherished front doorstep, Tom Lee Park. Both Memphis in May and Tom Lee Park have drawn global media attention to our city; created city pride; provided us with opportunities to come together; brought millions of tourists to the home of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll; and – most important to an East Memphian like myself (and it should be important to everyone throughout Shelby County) – generated many millions of dollars in economic impact and tax revenue. Regardless of whether you ever step foot in Tom Lee Park, that economic impact helps to strengthen our city – its schools, its safety, its roads, its infrastructure.


John Doyle

I am not against Tom Lee Park renovation. I appreciate the energy and ideas that the Memphis River Parks Partnership has brought forward. However, as significant as Memphis in May is, and as critically important as Tom Lee Park is – as Memphis River Parks Partnership claims – let’s make sure we get it right.

Let’s not lose more of Tom Lee Park’s valuable green space to concrete structures before first determining that this is what citizens want, as well as the impact on tourism, traffic flow and celebrations. Surely a renovation of this magnitude calls for 100% transparency, and surely it’s important enough that all citizens have a right to be fully informed and involved, especially now that $10 million in taxpayer dollars are involved.

Bring us together (the same way Tom Lee Park does) along with MRPP, Memphis in May, our mayor, council and city leaders to ask and answer any questions. I want to hear that Memphis in May is fully on board, and is excited about these changes, but I have yet to hear that. Memphians do hear, however, that dirt starts turning in June.

Let's slow down.

It wasn’t too many years ago that we were shown beautiful renderings generated by the Riverfront Development Corp. to accomplish the same “world-class riverfront” that MRPP offers. Again, dirt started turning before funding was complete. Plans were scaled. There were no “floating platforms” as depicted in the beautiful models and renderings. Precious green space was taken away for a painted parking lot (I hear Joni Mitchell) and a closed-down restaurant and gift shop. Tom Lee Park continued to be used by Memphians, but the droves of people didn’t come … except during Memphis in May.

Aside from being a native Memphian, I’m also proud to work in the tourism industry, and I know what May means! So do restaurants, museums, attractions and retail stores as thousands of hotel rooms are booked by guests eager to spend their money in Memphis every single May. Why jeopardize that?

Tourism continues to be one of our city’s most powerful industries. It paves our streets. It lowers our taxes. Before we start shoveling dirt, any renderings that jeopardize the presence and effectiveness of Memphis in May – for tourists, and for Mid-Southerners – should be fully transparent. Is the Habitat Tower part of the plans or not? Who will maintain landscaping to assure it doesn’t become littered or overgrown? (Sorry, but Riverside Drive medians failed to pass the “beautification test” for our city and guests.)

And what is wrong with massive green space as an oasis at the foot of our Downtown? The Downtown Memphis Commission says to “stroll along the elevated Riverwalk” and touts Tom Lee as one of the most Instagrammable spots in Downtown. If you want to stroll among mature trees, there's Greenbelt Park, with 105 acres of trees, a 1.5-mile pedestrian trail, three parking lots. Or Fourth Bluff, which received $5 million in funding to match renderings with walking paths, dining carts, ambient lighting and mature trees. Or MLK Park, or Ashburn-Coppock Park or Chickasaw Heritage Park? There’s always Overton, Audubon and Shelby Farms Park. Don’t forget Mud Island, which already has terraced concrete walkways, water features, an amphitheater and the infrastructure for intimate picnic spots – these same amenities, but no success. Why not fix Mud Island first (or link it to Tom Lee), rather than dissecting one of the most breathtaking expanses along the Mississippi in Tom Lee Park?

Before replacing green space with concrete for water features, concrete topography, concrete activity courts, find out if citizens and tourists have been asking for these. The MRPP website offers renderings, but there are still questions. What will reducing Riverside Drive to two lanes do to traffic and access to our riverfront, Downtown, Bass Pro and Welcome Center? Do the carved terraces of Cutbank Bluff destabilize the bluff? (Remember the Riverside-closing mudslides of 2016?) Who is going to manicure and maintain the experimental garden, landscaping and the vegetation growing over the Habitat Tower? Who is going to manage the lockers and concession areas touted? Who is going to program activities, basketball games and concerts for these concrete structures?

People respond to programming – like Memphis in May. Structures and concrete terraces don’t draw people; programming draws people to the river, like the Star-Spangled Celebration and Stone Soul Picnic once did; like RiverArtsFest does. Why not engage other organizations like Memphis in May to activate our riverfront – for tourists and for Memphians – other weekends and months of the year? Why not work towards connecting Beale Street to Riverside, or bring life back to closed down riverfront facilities like The Pier? Tom Lee Park isn’t what's broken.

Why are we so eager to fire up bulldozers in June before all questions are answered? It’s important that we all get on board. This is our welcome mat. Let’s catch our breath, enjoy Memphis in May, park the bulldozers and talk about this first.


.

almost 4 years later

and they are still working on the park

(02-13-2023 06:22 PM)Unionman76 Wrote:  almost 4 years later

and they are still working on the park

Hard to believe it's been that long. BBQ is going to be there this year isn't it?

he annual music festival is set to return to Tom Lee Park in Memphis May 5-7 this year, with an eclectic lineup of performers led by 2023 top-liners Greta Van Fleet, The Lumineers and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.

For rock and metal fans, you can also look for Hardy, 311, Gary Clark Jr., Young the Giant, Halestorm, Live, The Struts, Gov't Mule, Toadies, Living Colour and White Reaper among others.

The lineup also includes such top acts as Earth, Wind & Fire, Jazmine Sullivan, The Roots, AJR, Glorilla, Ziggy Marley, PJ Morton, Dru Hill, Andy Grammer, Los Lobos, Lucinda Williams and more.


Read More: 2023 Beale Street Music Festival Lineup Revealed | https://loudwire.com/2023-beale-street-m...m=referral

It’s time. The crowds and rain are psyched. Anyone know the over/under for how many days it will take to destroy everything related to the development?

(05-04-2023 10:58 AM)Browning Hall Wrote:  It’s time. The crowds and rain are psyched. Anyone know the over/under for how many days it will take to destroy everything related to the development?

The "development" already did a good job of that.