There are 42 article(s) tagged Tom Lee:

• August 2019

  • Herrington: Nine observations on Tom Lee Park

    Mediation at Tom Lee Park hasn't quieted public debate about the future of the Memphis riverfront. Here are a series of observations on what we talk about when we talk about Tom Lee Park. 

    By Chris Herrington August 29, 2019

  • Friends, foes trade barbs on plans for Tom Lee Park's transformation

    Owners of 70 Downtown businesses signed off on a June 26 letter to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland supporting Tom Lee Park transformation, but critics are keeping the heat on.

    By Wayne Risher August 24, 2019

  • Memphis River Parks Partnership cranks up grass-mowing frequency

    The Memphis River Parks Partnership takes steps to increase the frequency of grass mowing in riverfront and Downtown parks under its jurisdiction.

    By Wayne Risher August 13, 2019

• July 2019

  • Strickland: Memphis In May to move temporarily in 2021

    Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland says the Memphis in May International Festival will move to an alternate site temporarily in 2021 to accommodate construction in Tom Lee Park.

    By Bill Dries July 27, 2019

  • Critics of Tom Lee Park plan question larger riverfront plan

    The group Get Our Riverfront Right agrees some of the proposed changes to Tom Lee Park would help the Memphis in May festival. But on "Behind the Headlines," they say a larger riverfront plan is being handled piecemeal and would disrupt the festival as an economic engine.

    By Bill Dries July 26, 2019

  • MRPP should be 'dismantled, fired and replaced'

    The Memphis River Parks Partnership has not disclosed to taxpayers how they plan to generate $1.1 billion in revenue by adding hills, trees and basketball courts to Tom Lee Park.

    By Amy Howell July 25, 2019

  • Herenton rips Tom Lee Park plan, says Strickland delaying decision until after election

    Memphis mayoral contender Willie Herenton says plans to change Tom Lee Park are “asinine” and he accused Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland of delaying a decision on the changes proposed by the Memphis River Parks Partnership until after the Oct. 3 race.

    By Bill Dries July 18, 2019

  • Group seeks pause in Tom Lee Park mediation, new public input

    Business executives with ties to Memphis in May have formed Get Our Riverfront Right to push for reexamination of plans for Tom Lee Park.

    By Wayne Risher July 14, 2019

  • Tigers strength coach wants to create 'beasts'

    Memphis basketball strength and conditioning coach Darby Rich brought his “Beast of the Week” tradition from Texas A&M to the Tigers.

    By Drew Hill July 01, 2019

• June 2019

  • Tom Lee Park is 'land too precious for compromise'

    As Memphis in May and Memphis River Parks Partnership negotiate a plan for the park on the Mississippi, city residents should recall other Memphis projects born in conflict.

    By Henry Turley June 30, 2019

  • What's the plan for Tom Lee Park?

    Documents obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers depict design plans for Tom Lee Park as of May and a Corps summary of a meeting about the plans.

    By Wayne Risher June 28, 2019

  • Corps weighs challenge of analyzing Tom Lee Park proposal

    The Army Corps of Engineers says it could be a daunting task to analyze the Tom Lee Park revamp to make sure it doesn't harm 30-year-old river control dikes.

    By Wayne Risher June 26, 2019

  • SAVING TOM LEE PARK

    After input from 5,300 people and 65 meetings, a Tom Lee Park transformation plan has drawn opposition from 4,000 petitioners and 2,200 Facebook followers. Will mediation settle hard feelings?

    By Wayne Risher June 25, 2019

  • Inside the Tom Lee Park project

    The Memphis River Parks Partnership's Tom Lee Park plan has prompted many questions about maintenance, funding, oversight and another road diet for Riverside Drive. Here are some answers.

    By Wayne Risher June 24, 2019

  • Hyde backs Tom Lee Park changes, likens stand off to 'whack-a-mole'

    The philanthropist supporting the remake of Tom Lee Park says there have been a dozen changes to plans by the Memphis River Parks Partnership since the Memphis In May International Festival raised objections to the plan this spring.

    By Bill Dries June 21, 2019

  • Memphis' month-long party a backdrop for park dispute

    As a successful Memphis in May International Festival unfolded in Tom Lee Park, there was plenty of symbolism and drama building in the controversy over what happens next to the30-acre Downtown Memphis park.

    By Bill Dries June 02, 2019

• May 2019

  • Commissioners introduce budget amendments for MATA, Tom Lee Park renovations

    The Shelby County Commission is considering 26 amendments to the 2019-2020 budget, including one that would provide county funds for MATA public transportation for the first time. 

    By Omer Yusuf May 30, 2019

  • Higher hotel rates in Memphis in May drive health of lodging industry

    May isn't the strongest month for hotel occupancy in Memphis and Downtown, but it consistently generates the highest room rates, because of the Memphis in May International Festival, officials say.

    By Wayne Risher May 27, 2019

  • Strickland puts Tom Lee Park mediation on hold for study of park terrain

    Mayor Jim Strickland wants the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study planned changes to Tom Lee Park, adding contour to the mostly flat park. But Strickland said he remains committed to the idea of a park that is more active year-round.

    By Bill Dries May 25, 2019

  • Conaway: Looking at Tom Lee Park

    We’re about to spend $50 million to fix something that’s not really broken, and throw chump change or nothing at all at opportunities for true transformation.

    By Dan Conaway May 23, 2019

  • Parks partnership says Tom Lee Park changes to start in fall

    Memphis River Parks Partnership plans to begin making changes to Tom Lee Park in the fall. The fall construction appears to steer clear of most, if not all, of the park used by the Memphis In May International Festival.

    By Bill Dries May 14, 2019

  • Tom Lee's story remembered 94 years after river rescue

    The hero who rescued 32 people on the Mississippi River south of Memphis in 1925 has a simple story but a complex legacy. It includes descendants dedicated to making sure he is remembered and connections to those he rescued as well as those rescued by others.

    By Bill Dries May 09, 2019

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

    Let’s not lose valuable green space to concrete structures before determining this is what citizens want, as well as the impact on tourism, traffic flow and celebrations. 

    By John Doyle May 04, 2019

• April 2019

  • Senate budget restores Tom Lee Park funding to full $10M

    NASHVILLE – The state Senate is restoring $2.5 million to a Tom Lee Park improvements project and earmarking $2.5 million from a different source for a Germantown Performing Arts Center amphitheater.

    By Sam Stockard April 30, 2019

  • Serve the collective good at Tom Lee Park

    We’ve got to decide if we want Tom Lee Park to be merely a space for hosting events, or a distinctive place that inspires and unites us.  The clock is ticking.

    By William Murray April 20, 2019