Memphis, is it time to repay the favor to Tom Lee? In 1925 he was there for those in need. It's a different task at hand here in 2019 but I think we should be there for him; Memphis - Save, Tom Lee Park.
Tom Lee’s exploits are the stuff of local legend. Lee became a national celebrity in 1925, when he pulled more than 30 people from the swirling waters of the Mississippi River after the steamer M.E. Norman overturned. "Shine on, Tom Lee. Shine on."
Say NO to the massive renovations that will cause Memphis in May Festivals to not be held in Tom Lee Park for the next two years; 2020, 2021 and who knows, maybe even 2022? Say NO to changes to Riverside Drive from 4 lanes to 2! Say NO to Private Individuals spending our tax dollars on a riverfront park that MRPP has made mistake, after mistake.
Say YES to modest upgrades that work with the continued successes of Memphis in May International Festivals! Say YES to MRPP listening to MIM officials and our Local businesses, Local residents, Local citizens and all our out of town tourists that come to our Great Riverfront! Say YES to supporting our Downtown Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife, Local Shops and all their Local Employees!
MRPP has publicly projected the costs to be over $100 million; what happens with "cost overruns" that push it to $150 million, $175 million, $200 million? Will we the taxpayers once again, be forced to bear the brunt, such as when the massive cost overruns that happened with Beale Street Landing.
Say YES to full transparency per the MRPP! Say YES to someone following the money trail!
Say NO to MRPP promoting this project as "privately" funded and then we citizens find new discoveries of Local Taxes, State Taxes, Federal Taxes being used to take over our Local Park Lands with your pet project.
If you are concerned, share the petition, join the FB pages, openingly discuss with your sphere of influence and please contact your Local and State politicians.
Attached is a picture of the bronze statue of Tom Lee reaching to save a drowning man from a sunken riverboat; I think it's time for us to lend him a helping hand!
Notice this statue is located in Tom Lee Park, which was completely flooded in Spring of 2011 just a mere 8 years ago. This is exactly where MRPP wants to invest over $100 million dollars planting trees, building covered basketball courts, digging up the current infrastructure w/o filing the correct permits and or consulting the Corp of Engineers that built the park expansion years ago to safely protect the Memphis Bluff.