Problem Properties Collaborative

Complete Streets bill introduced in Senate (S.2686)

The movement for livable streets received a push forward this week, as Sen. Tom Harkin (Iowa) introduced an important piece of legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Tom Carper (Delaware). The Complete Streets Act of 2008 would encourage towns, cities, and metropolitan planning organizations to consider the needs of all users when building new roads or improving existing roads. The legislation can be viewed at (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.2686:).

 

In his press release (http://harkin.senate.gov/pr/p.cfm?i=294064), Sen. Harkin said, "Making our streets bike and pedestrian friendly is a win-win for us all. It not only promotes healthier lifestyles, it lowers the amount of traffic congestion that many people deal with every day.”

 

Those of you who participated in the first Smart Growth Advocacy Day in conjunction with the New Partners Conference back in February may remember lobbying your representatives on behalf of this bill. Co-sponsors are still needed, so if you would like to get involved, call your senators and tell them why they should sign on to Sen. Harkin’s bill and more importantly why they should vote for it once it hits the floor.

 

The Complete Streets Coalition would be happy to provide you with talking points or other information you may need. Contact Stephanie Potts at spotts [at] smartgrowthamerica [dot] org for more information. You can also find more information on their website at http://www.completestreets.org/.

 

We also expect companion legislation to be introduced in the House down the road, so stay tuned for developments on that front.

Soulsville

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, located at the original site of the legendary Stax Records in the heart of Soulsville USA in Memphis, Tennessee, welcomes you to all things Stax. This 17,000-square-foot facility with more than 2,000 cultural artifacts, music exhibits, video footage, and items of memorabilia is designed to preserve and promote the legacy of American soul music, particularly that of Stax Records.

Please visit the following links for more information on Soulsville.

www.staxmuseum.com

www.staxmusicacademy.org

www.thesoulsvillecharterschool.org

Sexually-Oriented Businesses in Memphis/Shelby County

Several of our PPC members are actively involved with having a Sexually Ordinance Business ordinance passed.  A number of you participated in the marathan City Council meeting this past Tuesday.  I want thank all of the PPC members that showed their support on this issue.  Here is a quick update from the Cordova Leadership Council....

The moratorium passes with unanimous vote at City Council!

The moratorium which prevents granting of compensated dance permits, those needed by new topless dance establishments, passed Tuesday evening towards the end of an almost six-hour long city council meeting.  The moratorium, in effect until early December, will give additional time for the city to develop and pass new ordinances regulating sexually-oriented businesses.  In the meanwhile (early July), the city will be formally reviewing the findings and suggestions presented by the expert consultants who reviewed the status of Sexually-Oriented Businesses in Memphis/Shelby County.

Thank you again to everyone for their support and a special thanks to those of you who took time from their day to attend the meeting, regardless of how long you were able to stay.  The concern from citizens in Cordova and across the rest of Memphis was certainly noticed and well-received!

The restaurant that sparked the attention towards the matter of sexually-oriented businesses in Cordova had its 'stop work order' lifted.  The second floor, or mezzanine, was not in the original plan but is now approved and construction will continue.  The moratorium, as well as the lifting of the 'stop work order' led to additional demand of CLC comments and appearances by local media. 

We would like to stress that Committees (Alcohol Commission, SOB Ordinance & Regulations, and Site Monitoring) will begin to meet in the next 30 days.  We urge volunteers to continue contacting us about serving on a committee.  The matter is far from over and we must stay at the forefront!

Mark Chambers, President

901-870-7050
Brian Stephens, Community Building Chair

901-270-0492

Cordova Leadership Council
8501 Macon Rd. Suite #100
Cordova, TN 38018
www.cordovaleadershipcouncil.org