The city officially backed down and the expansion plans are dead. My neighborhood can finally sleep soundly knowing our streets are protected. Thank you for staying by my side while we held them to the promises they made decades ago.
November 30, 2020
Final supporters
The University of Memphis, via President Shirley Raines, entered into an agreement with The City of Memphis, Various Neighborhood Associations including Belle Meade NA, Bremington Place NA, Red Acres NA, The Village NA and the University Area Neighbors Association in 2003. This agreement, as it relates to the proposed PD 20-14, insured the following;
- that the University will not construct additional facilities between Central and Poplar other than the ones I specifically identified in my letter of May 27, 2003 to you, and that any facilities the University builds or operates between Central and Poplar will be designed and operated with the intention that they cause no increase in Poplar Avenue traffic;
- that the University will not add any additional entrances or exits on Poplar between Patterson and Goodlett, will not widen Conlee and will not seek or support any request for an additional stoplight on Poplar between Highland and Goodlett;
- that the University will prevent vehicular traffic between Central and Poplar via Conlee by constructing a permanent physical barrier between the existing paved parking lot on Central and the proposed parking lot on Poplar. This barrier will run in an east-west direction along approximately the same line as the old wooden fence which separated the grass fields along Conlee from the paved, Central parking lot. The barrier will be designed to permit pedestrian traffic, but to prevent vehicular traffic between the Central and Poplar parking lots.
- that the University will do everything reasonably possible to focus all University traffic on Central Avenue, not Poplar.
We the residents of these neighborhoods, oppose this application. This proposed Planned Development Application violates the provisions of the 2003 agreement in many ways. In addition to the items 1-4 above;
The nature of apartment/student housing in inconsistent with the surrounding neighborhoods.
The 24/7 traffic as well as the overall volume of traffic poses many threats and dangers to the surrounding neighborhoods.
The University should honor its agreement and should it elect to continue to disregard its obligations it will regrettably leave us no option but to enforce our legal and equitable rights through all available administrate and judicial forums.
Updates
October 25, 2020
We just hit 250 signatures and it is clear that our neighbors are not willing to let these broken promises slide. I have lived here long enough to know that a handshake deal should mean something, and seeing this many people back that sentiment gives me real hope.
Reached 250 supporters
October 23, 2020
October 16, 2020
Seeing this momentum grow reminds me of how much our neighborhood values the promise made to us two decades ago. Knowing so many of you are protecting the character of our streets makes me feel less alone in this fight.
Reached 100 supporters
October 14, 2020
140 Comments
David Rudd's statement that former president Shirley Raines 's agreement in 2003 on behalf of the U of M with the City of Memphis and Neighborhood Associations was not binding because it was beyond her authority is hogwash and he knows better. Beware, this man cannot be trusted.
I disagree with the President's answer about keeping agreements with neighborhood associations; University Presidents regularly commit their institutions to debts and plans beyond their tenure. Furthermore, the building plan is insensitive in scale to the houses to the West of the proposed project.
Stick to the agreement. Consolidate parking into building additional garages and erect resident housing over vacated existing areas wasted on surface parking—there is plenty of space for such construction within campus boundaries.
In addition to the "grown-ups" in the neighborhood - consider the potential intrusive effect on the safety of children attending the Lipman School (children two through six years of age). Please do not impair the neighborhood with the proposed student housing development on Deloach.
As a neighbor of Red Acres I have lived on Poplar Avenue for 22 years and I strongly oppose this project, which will create much more traffic on my street. A student housing project is not consistent with the surrounding single family residential neighborhoods all around it.
this is a beautiful neighborhood with families that have lived there for decades. please do not build and destroy this neighborhood.
Please do not build~ this is an increidbly stable neighborhood with historic homes. Some families have been there for 70 years~
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The city officially backed down and the expansion plans are dead. My neighborhood can finally sleep soundly knowing our streets are protected. Thank you for staying by my side while we held them to the promises they made decades ago.
November 30, 2020
Final supporters
The University of Memphis, via President Shirley Raines, entered into an agreement with The City of Memphis, Various Neighborhood Associations including Belle Meade NA, Bremington Place NA, Red Acres NA, The Village NA and the University Area Neighbors Association in 2003. This agreement, as it relates to the proposed PD 20-14, insured the following;
- that the University will not construct additional facilities between Central and Poplar other than the ones I specifically identified in my letter of May 27, 2003 to you, and that any facilities the University builds or operates between Central and Poplar will be designed and operated with the intention that they cause no increase in Poplar Avenue traffic;
- that the University will not add any additional entrances or exits on Poplar between Patterson and Goodlett, will not widen Conlee and will not seek or support any request for an additional stoplight on Poplar between Highland and Goodlett;
- that the University will prevent vehicular traffic between Central and Poplar via Conlee by constructing a permanent physical barrier between the existing paved parking lot on Central and the proposed parking lot on Poplar. This barrier will run in an east-west direction along approximately the same line as the old wooden fence which separated the grass fields along Conlee from the paved, Central parking lot. The barrier will be designed to permit pedestrian traffic, but to prevent vehicular traffic between the Central and Poplar parking lots.
- that the University will do everything reasonably possible to focus all University traffic on Central Avenue, not Poplar.
We the residents of these neighborhoods, oppose this application. This proposed Planned Development Application violates the provisions of the 2003 agreement in many ways. In addition to the items 1-4 above;
The nature of apartment/student housing in inconsistent with the surrounding neighborhoods.
The 24/7 traffic as well as the overall volume of traffic poses many threats and dangers to the surrounding neighborhoods.
The University should honor its agreement and should it elect to continue to disregard its obligations it will regrettably leave us no option but to enforce our legal and equitable rights through all available administrate and judicial forums.
Updates
October 25, 2020
We just hit 250 signatures and it is clear that our neighbors are not willing to let these broken promises slide. I have lived here long enough to know that a handshake deal should mean something, and seeing this many people back that sentiment gives me real hope.
Reached 250 supporters
October 23, 2020
October 16, 2020
Seeing this momentum grow reminds me of how much our neighborhood values the promise made to us two decades ago. Knowing so many of you are protecting the character of our streets makes me feel less alone in this fight.
Reached 100 supporters
October 14, 2020
140 Comments
I own a home on Central close to Patterson - the current university traffic is already difficult, with many accidents occurring at the intersection of Central/Patterson. More traffic, as well as more congestion due to too many students living in dorms nearby, will negatively impact our neighborhood
David Rudd's statement that former president Shirley Raines 's agreement in 2003 on behalf of the U of M with the City of Memphis and Neighborhood Associations was not binding because it was beyond her authority is hogwash and he knows better. Beware, this man cannot be trusted.
I disagree with the President's answer about keeping agreements with neighborhood associations; University Presidents regularly commit their institutions to debts and plans beyond their tenure. Furthermore, the building plan is insensitive in scale to the houses to the West of the proposed project.
Stick to the agreement. Consolidate parking into building additional garages and erect resident housing over vacated existing areas wasted on surface parking—there is plenty of space for such construction within campus boundaries.
In addition to the "grown-ups" in the neighborhood - consider the potential intrusive effect on the safety of children attending the Lipman School (children two through six years of age). Please do not impair the neighborhood with the proposed student housing development on Deloach.
As a neighbor of Red Acres I have lived on Poplar Avenue for 22 years and I strongly oppose this project, which will create much more traffic on my street. A student housing project is not consistent with the surrounding single family residential neighborhoods all around it.
this is a beautiful neighborhood with families that have lived there for decades. please do not build and destroy this neighborhood.
Please do not build~ this is an increidbly stable neighborhood with historic homes. Some families have been there for 70 years~
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I own a home on Central close to Patterson - the current university traffic is already difficult, with many accidents occurring at the intersection of Central/Patterson. More traffic, as well as more congestion due to too many students living in dorms nearby, will negatively impact our neighborhood