Enough news, and big news, today to warrant a second post. Yes, all of this is real news, not April Fool’s jokes.
Mayor Wharton has announced that Riverside Drive will go back to four lanes in June, pending further study. EXCELLENT. Us crusty old white men in cars, as our detractors like to refer to us, are happy. (And, by the way, there are more than 6 of us, as I have seen implied this afternoon.) Note that when I wrote about the Riverside controversy, I never once insulted or name-called people who disagreed with me on the issue, and I even said I admired them and respected them for their efforts to make Memphis more livable.
Oh, and one of the people who was pro-bike lanes called for a traffic light at Riverside and Georgia. I agree on that point. It is nearly impossible for cars to turn left from Georgia onto Riverside. There’s just never a break in traffic, unless you’re turning at 4 AM.
Bass Pro has moved its grand opening for the Pyramid back from May 1 to April 29. At 6 PM on the 29th, there will be a special Evening for Conservation event, with celebrities from fields related to Bass Pro on hand. There will be discounts and prizes, and experts in Bass Pro-related fields will be on hand to answer questions. The first full day open to the public will be Thursday, April 30.
It’s official now: The Susan G. Komen Memphis-Midsouth Race for the Cure will be coming Downtown this fall, headquartered at AutoZone Park. 9 AM October 31 is the start time.
Live Nation, the world’s largest producer of live music events, has signed a strategic partnership with Beale Street and will book events for the New Daisy at 330 Beale and the Palace at 380 Beale. East Beale will now be a prominent stop for national live touring acts. MBJ reporters tweeted that the New Daisy will be renovated and although it won’t be rebranded a House of Blues, it will likely be on the same touring circuit.
You know it’s a big news day when the East Beale story is the #4 story in my news post. I am SO HAPPY to hear that Live Nation, and not anyone local, will be booking 380 Beale. Finally the former site of the Plush Club will no longer be a ghetto embarrassment to Downtown Memphis.
Allan Long, owner of dilapidated 107 South Main, will have to appear in environmental court tomorrow. The city has filed a second lawsuit against Long, this one asking the court to declare the building a public nuisance. The lack of maintenance on 107 Main has caused increasing moisture levels in adjoining buildings, and may have even made it a danger to passersby on the street.
Time to go out for a PBR, for there is much good news to celebrate today.