West Memphis council pauses tear-downs

Some structures may be saved due to historical relevance

news@theeveningtimes.com The West Memphis City Council drew its purse strings tight on Mayor Marco McClendon’s request to raze condemned buildings on East Broadway. Alderman authorized funds to teardown the old train depot at 501 Broadway, but the Building at 801 S.

Broadway got a two week reprieve as council voted 63 to halt that demolition.

Main Street Director Deborah Abernathy pitched an idea for a partial teardown at 801 Broadway with the remaining ruins of the building artistically framing a venue for busking street musicians. Main Street would in turn fund a tribute to the historic KWEM radio which broadcast live regional blues and early rock talent, The proposed parklet plans provided for a homage to the long gone but not forgotten Eighth Street music and club scenes around the corner and down the block.

“We want the partial walls torn down,” said Abernathy. “We want to keep the beams and create an open air KWEM studio format. We can include murals down the road and history. This would be showing a way to reinvest in downtown.”

Abernathy said tearing down old buildings added to the naked blight in the Main Street District.

“I realize some of these buildings must go,” said Abernathy. “When you teardown all you are doing is showing blight. On this case shows a way to rehab the building, teach our young people history and what influences we’ve had in town.”

The discussion got heated but ultimately two-thirds of city council voted to provide a reprieve for plans to develop until the next city council meeting.

“I understand what you are

Continued on Page 3 TEAR DOWNS (cont.)

saying but why haven’t this came up before now?”

asked McClendon.

“We have tried to contact you,” replied Abernathy, “and have contacted other people in city hall about this project. We want you to take that building, that land as a donation. We (Main Street) cannot take property, but we can put money into that facility to create this vision of KWEM. This is an opportunity to make a nice statement. We realize 8th street as a historical district and this would tie into the music that was very prevalent on Eighth Street.

Abernathy hoped to move its giant guitar and KWEM bench from the old city court house to an east Broadway location close to the KWEM headquarters to create a parklet.

“The last thing this city needs is another park,” said McClendon with Councilwoman Helen Harris offering an Amen echo.

“I think this would be a win for the city, something progressive,” said Abernathy.

McClendon vowed to veto the project when it returned to city council during the meeting In August.

“I have driven down that street everyday of my life,” said McClendon. “This building has to go. We have the funds to do it. You saw where they tore down the building at 7th Street (Saig’s store). it looks nice.”

City council retained the appropriation power to withhold funds to tear down the building at 801 East Broadway.

McClendon indicated $109,000 Price tag two raze the depot and 801. He said the designated city fund had a balance over one million dollars.