Overton Square Update

Straight from the Memphis Heritage blog:

May 20, 2009

Our plan to have a conversation with AWG (Associated Wholesale Grocers) about their proposed development at Overton Square has not been successful. After many attempts to reach various officers of the company we have yet to be given the courtesy of a returned call. Our request for a meeting to discuss their plans and possible alternates fell on deaf ears. We had hoped that they would be willing to meet with Memphis Heritage and other groups/stakeholders that are concerned about the plan they are proposing.

Since they will not communicate with us it appears we must rally the voices of those that do not want to see this area of Overton Square bulldozed for an inappropriate and undesired development in the heart of midtown. The owners of the property (Fisher Capital) and the proposed developers (AWG) do not seem to understand the importance of this area to local residents and other Memphians. Unfortunately they see it as just another piece of land for low suburban sprawl, strip development. We feel it needs to be a much more defined urban space with more density such as a town center or an entertainment district, etc.

Fisher Capital continues to say that the buildings are "obsolete" and are not worth saving. The owners have not been willing to make needed repairs to the property to prevent its deterioration. In addition,based on information we have received from past tenants, the present owners have forced the relocation of over 7 retail/shops after saying in public that they have not been able to rent the space after trying for over 10 years!

We are asking that you let your opinion be known to the developers, AWG, and to the present owners, Fisher Capital. We are asking that they enter into a dialogue with stakeholders in the area to change their present development plans for Overton Square. Below is their contact information.

Thank you,
June
June Waddell West Please email and call them today. Thank you!
Executive Director
Memphis Heritage, Inc


Contacts at Associated Wholesale Grocers:
Name/Position/Email

Jerry Garland, President and CEO: jgarland@awginc.com

Bob Walker, Executive Vice president and CFO: bwalker@awginc.com

Mike Rand, Chief Operating Officer: mrand@awginc.com

Steve Dillard, Vice President Corporate Sales Development: sdillard@awginc.com

Corporate phone: 913-288-1000
Fax: 913-288-1587

Mailing address: Corporate offices for AWG

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc.
5000 Kansas Avenue
Kansas City, Kansas 66106

A W G Memphis Division
8561 Aaron Ln.
Southaven, MS 38671
Phone: 662-342-4410
************************************************************************************
Owners of property: Fisher Capital
5619 DTC Parkway, Suite 1150
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Blake Fisher, real estate: bffisher@fisher-capital.com

Don Fisher, co-founded Fisher Capital
Scott FIsher, finance
Phone: 303.414.9900 No other emails available other than info@fisher-capital.com

Zoo Brew

Now that I've actually bought my tickets for this event I don't mind sharing it with everyone else. Last year, it sold out before I had the chance to get tickets so I didn't want that to happen again, so I waited until now to post about it.

If you don't already know, Zoo Brew is similar to Art on Tap, in that you get to go around and sample TONS of different beers, but it's less stuffy and actually held in midtown instead of the middle of East Memphis. Closer to home is always better, in my opinion.

So if you like beer, being outside on a nice night, the Zoo, and are generally entertained by drunk people in public situations, then click the links below to find out more about Zoo Brew and get your tickets now. Trust me, they will freaking sell out!

http://www.memphiszoo.org/zoobrew

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Memphis-TN/Memphis-ZooBrew

Update on Kingsbury soccer

I wrote yesterday about the Kingsbury Soccer article in the Commercial Appeal.

I'm happy to say that because of that article over $15,000 was raised IN A SINGLE DAY!!

I don't know if any of that was due to someone reading this blog but I'd like to think at least 1 or 2 people found out via this site. So thank you to whomever you are.

Anyway, if you're having a down kind of day, then read today's article about all of the support that poured in yesterday and is continuing today. With all of the constant shitstorm that goes on in this city, it's nice to read something positive for once.

Check out the article HERE.

Kingsbury Soccer Article

Kingsbury High School probably doesn't get associated with soccer very often. For that matter, it doesn't seem to get associated with very many positive things, period! But I stumbled on this article in today's CA and was surprised to learn that something great was indeed going on over there. On top of that, the article is written by Geoff Calkins, whom I normally can't bring myself to read, seeing as how every sports story that he ever does is tainted with his negativity and bitterness. However, this article focuses on the great surprise of a soccer team that Kingsbury has fielded this year. They've actually made it to State this year but are lacking a few things. Check out the article HERE for the full story but the gist of it is that this amazing team is made up of players from literally around the world. They speak Spanish on the field, English to the coach, and a mix of language to each other. A kid from the Sudan had to learn Spanish to even converse with half of the team! Of course, this being Kingsbury, there isn't a lot of money to go around for team supplies and the 26 year old coach doesn't even have the money to get them a bus to take the team to the State Championships. Read this story. It'll brighten your day and make you realize that there are still good stories out there, happening all over the city. After reading it make sure you give serious thought to helping this team out as well. Here is the contact info for Kingsbury High Athletics if you want to help donate any money to the soccer team and their attempted State adventure...

The number of the financial secretary at Kingsbury is 416-0551

And great job to Geoff Calkins, which I never thought I'd say, for actually being positive for once. This is actually hsi 2nd positive column of the week. I don't know what's come over him but I hope it sticks.

New Tony Hawk Skateboarding Game

I want this more than almost anything for my birthday this year. It's the new Tony Hawk Skateboarding game coming out on June 2. They've taken things up a notch and designed a completely revolutionary new board to use on the game and taken hand held controllers completely out of the equation. The board looks great and the video below, while kind of long, gives you some AWESOME looks at the game itself as well as how the board works in real life. Check out the last segment to see how the board reacts to a person actually playing it. I've gotta say, I'm really impressed with it and I freaking want one of these ASAP!

Toy Machine

For those of you that grew up around the same time as I did and were into skateboarding, then this video will take you back.

In my opinion, it's one of the best all time skate vids. I'm sure for my friend Eric, this brings back lots of memories. So enjoy....the soundtrack kicks ass as well.

Toy Machine: Welcome to Hell (circa 1995)

Emo Lawns

I just found this funny and wanted to share.

Overton Square history lesson and a Birthday shout out

With all of the discussion and debate surrounding the Overton Square property and proposed grocery store, Memphis Heritage decided it would be a good time to give a history lesson on the Square and it's various incarnations over the years....

Memphis Heritage Inc. will meet Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to give an historical overview of the Overton Square area from the 1880s to the present.

Neely Woodson Powell (the daughter of Ben Woodson, who in the 1970s transformed the area into a booming business district), Jeanne Arthur, who previously oversaw operations and events at Overton Square, and local architects Cristina Ross and Sarah Hadsky will host the program.

The meeting is open to the public and will be at the Memphis Heritage headquarters, Tap into millions of public records, notices and articles on The Daily News.

Property Search
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Speaking of history....I got an email from a reader informing me about a local midtowner named Gertrude Perdue that is turning 100 today! So happy birthday to Gertrude and keep on doing whatever it is that you do to keep going so strong! Apparently Gertrude has kept pretty active even in her advanced age. Even though she is turning 100, she stills looks and has the mobility of a 70-year-old, according to her friends and she still volunteers at the Memphis VA Medical Center twice a week, acts as the chairwoman of The Salvation Army’s Women Auxiliary League of Mercy Committee and participates with the Optimist Club and Quota Club. Nice work and Happy Birthday!

I don't normally do birthday shout outs, but a 100 year birthday doesn't come along too often so I felt it was a good reason for an exception.