The Early Word: DMC fights Intrator’s blight; Feagins is over overtime abuse
Bottoms up, Memphis. It’s Wednesday, July 24 — National Tequila Day. You could always go out and enjoy a nice margarita, but since it’s a weeknight, here’s the recipe for Babalu’s signature Baba Rita that you can make at home. Somebody pass the salt, please.
The Downtown Memphis Commission has filed lawsuits against eight properties owned by developer Tom Intrator, including the old T.J. Mulligan’s and Cafe Francisco spots in the Pinch District. Those Pinch properties were involved in Intrator’s $1 billion-plus plan to revive the district, a project that hasn’t seen progress since it was proposed in 2019. The old Royal Furniture on South Main Street, where Intrator planned to develop his Dream Hotel, is also among the properties being sued.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins claims the district has lost $1 million to overtime abuse, and she’s trying to put a stop to it. At a non-voting school board meeting on Tuesday, Feagins said some employees were receiving payments they didn’t earn, and she proposed a new policy that would require advance approval. The MSCS board will consider the new policy next week.
Plus, Friend’s of George’s plans to appeal last week’s drag ban ruling, MLGW could power the city with Tesla batteries and the “Chick-fil-A of entertainment” may be coming to Midtown.
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Bianca Phillips
Bianca Phillips is a Northeast Arkansas native and longtime Memphian who’s worked in local journalism and PR for more than 20 years. She’s a diehard morning person who spends her free time running marathons and ultras. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South.”
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