Riverfront Rights Group Will Appeal Decision in Case with City of Memphis and Brooks Museum

In the case to protect the public promenade against unlawful development and stripping away its intended use, Friends for our Riverfront vowed to appeal the Chancery Court’s dismissal of the case. The court sided against the public-interest group on a procedural technicality without any ruling on the merits of the case in response to the City of Memphis and the Brooks Museum’s motion to dismiss.

“We’re planning to appeal this technicality so that the facts of this case can play out in a court of law.” said Virginia McLean, Friends for our Riverfront President. “Powerful and influential organizations are spending a great deal of time (and taxpayer money) trying to keep the facts of this case out of the public eye, but we vow to move forward in the interest of law-abiding Memphians.”

Why is this important to Memphians and taxpayers?

The City of Memphis decided to give a private museum precious riverfront property that is not owned by the city. The city does not have the title to the land, and therefore, can not give it away. The land is designated in perpetuity to be a free, open, public riverfront for everyone’s use as a gathering point overlooking the Mississippi River.

The massive project was ushered through at great expense to the taxpayer without ample public input, sharing legal and other vital public information, much less offering alternatives, or canvassing for public input. The project footprint continues to expand, as does the expense, while obstructing and interfering with a public asset that has been in place since 1819.

Our government, the City of Memphis, should not be in the business of simply taking any land that is not owned by the city regardless of the intended use. The stewards of the property support development downtown that’s lawful.

WE HAVE A NEW SITE!!

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FOR THE CURRENT NEWS

The City, Brooks Museum, and a block of the Memphis Riverfront (that's part of the historic Promenade)

What seemingly began as an architect's recommendation for a relatively small "cultural amenity" on the riverbluff at Union and Front Street has ballooned into a massive building project that covers an entire block, leaves no space for a greenway, and violates an easement that provides free access to all Memphians.

Neither the City nor Brooks owns the property. The City has an easement to the land as a Public Promenade, and a duty to protect it. 

Since 2017, Friends for Our Riverfront has been trying to work with Brooks to find a way that a new museum would not cause enforcement of the easement. We have written letters, attended meetings, and entered into formal mediation, but with no success.

Therefore on Tuesday, FfOR filed a Complaint in Chancery Court against the City and Brooks. We are petitioning the court for a Temporary Restraining Order, Temporary Injunction, and Permanent Injunction.

Click HERE to read. 

And a little glossary: 

Promenade: a place where one takes a walk for leisurely pleasure or for exercise, especially by a sea, lake, or river. 

Easement: a legal right to cross or otherwise use someone else's land for a specified purpose 

Detroit riverfront is loved, beautiful, free, public, connected, growing - Voted the best riverfwalk in the US for 3 consecutive years by readers of USA Today.

Memphis, we can do it, too. Protect our right to promenade. Don't let Brooks block the route.

The Good News

Having a continuous greenway along our Riverbluff is possible and momentum is building. It simply doesn't make sense to allow the Brooks Museum to block the route!

The good news - there's a long-standing easement that protects the land as a Public Promenade for all of us.

  

We are currently in talks with the City to resolve the issue and have been assured no construction will begin until we've had a chance to participate in formal mediation in mid-July. 

If you'd like to submit ideas or suggestions, please email us at info@friendsforourriverfront.org

It's possible - a continuous, connected greenway

You know if we work at it, Memphis can have a continuous, connected greenway from The Big River Crossing to Wolf River Greenway. 

If Brooks Museum wants to go downtown, they should play by the rules and not block the route.

MIM International Barbecue Contest Back on the Riverfront

Beale Street Music Fest Back in Tom Lee Park this Weekend

Beale Street Music Fest returns to Tom Lee Park this weekend (May 5-, 2003) !

Thank you, "I Love Memphis". The blog has pulled together all the information you need: a map, link to purchase tickets, and a list of performers showing when they perform and on what stage. Click HERE.

Current Brooks Museum Design is a DEAD END for the Bluffwalk

But it can be corrected. We can have both - continue the Bluffwalk and add a museum. We've been told it's an easy fix. 

We  crossed the Mississippi. We connected to the Wolf River Greenway. We built the Bluffwalk. We cannot stop now. Memphis has wanted a connected system of parks along our riverfront forever.

On Wednesday, April 5, the Design Review Board is scheduled to review the current dead-end design. Tell them you want the review postponed and the design fixed. Email Brett Roler today. It's important. 

Design for Brooks on the Bluff

Plans were made available Wednesday for the proposed "Brooks on the Bluff". You may find them confusing, but please take a careful look.   Click HERE to see the proposal. 

The museum's planned site is the block where the fire station and parking garage were torn down. But there's no Bluffwalk!

Review by the Design Review Board is set for this Wednesday (April 5).  You may send comments to Brett Roler. Ask that the review be postponed until a Bluffwalk is added.