There were a couple of editorials regarding the Promenade in this past Sunday's Commercial Appeal that were posted on the Friends for Our Riverfront website. Click here to read those: http://www.friendsforourriverfront.org/2008/08/fresh-opportunities-on-horizon.html
Some development is already happening, such as 67 Madison being renovated into apartments, a luxury hotel, The Grade, is being planned for 52 S. Front (the old Prince Mongo's Planet space for those Memphians rooted enough to remember it) and the old Post Office and Customs House at Front and Madison is being renovated to house the U of M Law School. Incidentally, there are still reminders of Mongo on this block of Front Street; ah, it's so sentimental and weird all at the same time. I wonder what people from out of town must think when they walk down Front and see this:
Since I brought him up, Prince Mongo (aka Robert Hodges aka Saint Mongo) is a colorful Memphis character. I really don't know any other way, nor have the energy, to describe him. But if you really want to know click the link below:
http://www.memphishistory.org/People/Notorious/RobertPrinceMongoHodges/tabid/297/Default.aspx
Back to the subject, among some ideas for future development: developer Henry Turley proposes to tear down the Cossitt Library and construct a mixed use development there. The proposed height is no more than sixty feet tall. Understandably, view blocking buildings would be forefront on the minds of those who now have unobstructed river views.
The CA's editorial hinted that The Pyramid, just south of the Promenade area, may finally be getting a tenant soon. Soon is such a relative word, especially as it has been applied to the Pyramid-Bass Pro possibility.
4 comments:
Hello Ms Liminal. One should be as you say an ' enrooted Memphistanian' to understand the subtilities of all these projects. How long should it take to make a tour of all the places involved in these developments ? is it a matter of hours or days ?
K & M
K & M,
Memphis is no mega-metropolis - I reckon it would take a few hours. Or you can keep reading this blog, I'm sure I will eventually get around to posting about all of them.
I have always been mystified why no one has renovated the line of streetfront properties on Front where the bright pink-orange Mongo club was. It looks so old and depressing...Front should be one of the highlights of the city.
Prince Mongo takes me back to my high school days. I have not thought of him ever since. The projects are outstanding. And yes, "soon" is a very relative word. Peace Out!!
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