Our deep thanks for your signature, for your sharing, and for your letter-writing!! On June 19, Nashville's Metro Council voted 37-0 in our favor, removing the proposed sale of the Edmondson Homesite Park & Gardens property from the 2019 Metro budget. We did it, together! BUT....this is just the first round of what will be a longer fight. Let me explain. The homesite land currently is owned by the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). They have neither the mission, nor the resources, to manage a public park, much less make capital improvements, such as a proper monument to Mr. Edmondson. That's where it gets complicated, and the property becomes vulnerable to undesirable development. Before anything can be done to improve the park, it needs to be transferred from MNPS to another department who would be willing and able to properly manage and master-plan it. The Metro Development and Housing Authority (MDHA) has wanted the property in the recent past, and has an active bid in to buy it or acquire it in a "land swap". The problem is that their agenda does not necessarily align with the community's with regard to this specific property, as they wanted to put high rise housing on the property instead of leaving the parkland intact. That bid is still on the table. It still is in play. We strongly oppose this move, because it takes control from the people and gives it to an unaccountable quasi-governmental agency whose track record is not great. MDHA does not answer to the people. In theory, the Metro Parks Department would be the best agency to transfer this land to. However, until we have binding assurances that no part of the property will be dealt away to MDHA or developed inappropriately after being transferred to Parks, we feel it is best for it to be held by the Metro Schools (MNPS). Finally, there is a small branch Public Library on a plot of land adjacent to the park. We favor having conversations across the Parks and Library departments, to determine the feasibility of coordinating to integrate a new, enlarged branch library and cultural center into the 7 acre parcel that collectively includes the park, community gardens, historic site, and the empty Murrell school building. Thank you for your support. We may be calling on you again soon. We have proven that a people-powered movement can accomplish something that everyone said was impossible! We may need to "do the impossible" again, and we will need you by our side!