Grants Buy Lots in Kensington PD

Three companies related to the Grant family of homebuilders have bought the remaining 105 lots in Arlington’s Kensington Planned Development for a combined $2.6 million from BancorpSouth Bank. Kensington was approved for 109 lots on 45.4 acres.

L1 Properties, an entity related to Keith and David Grant Homes LLC, bought 64 lots in Kensington for $1.6 million. L1 Properties and Keith and David Grant Homes LLC together financed the purchase with a $3 million loan through Independent Bank.

Kim Grant Homes LLC bought 21 lots for $509,500, financing it with a $750,000 loan through Independent Bank.

And Richard Grant Homes LLC bought 20 lots for $507,700, financing it with a $800,000 loan through Independent Bank.

The homes will all be marketed by Grant & Co., said Keith Grant of Keith and David Grant Homes LLC.

The seller, BancorpSouth Bank, bought the 105 lots in March from West TN Land Co. GP and Chamberlain and McCreery Inc. for $1.4 million.

Grant said four of the lots in Kensington were built out by its previous owners.

Kensington Planned Development is on the south side of Forrest Road west of the Fayette County line in Arlington. Milton Wilson Road runs through the middle of the development.

The parcels being developed are vacant lots on Noni Valley Drive, Lubiani Valley Drive, Addie Glen Drive, Warren Ridge Lane, Garrett Valley Lane, Dusty Field Lane, Milton Wilson Boulevard, Garrett Valley Place, Eldridge Ridge Drive and Jean Ridge Circle.

Source: The Daily News Online & Chandler Reports

– Kate Simone

MED Opens Renovated Emergency Department

The Regional Medical Center at Memphis opened its newly renovated area in its Emergency Department Monday, July 11. The goal of the construction was to improve patient access and comfort with its new registration and triage areas, as well as the new emergency parking lot, which opened June 30.

The renovations complete phase 1 of the Emergency Department construction. The next phase, to build a main entrance to the hospital on Jefferson Avenue, is already under way. The entrance and a new emergency waiting room are slated to be finished by September.

The renovations at the MED are part of a continuing effort to increase efficiency, upgrade the physical plant and improve patient access in the hospital.

– Estes Gould

Mays Is Assigned Union Lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Hardy Mays has another high-profile case on his schedule. Mays has been assigned the lawsuit filed Monday, July 11, by the municipal unions representing city employees.

The unions are seeking class-action status for the lawsuit that contests the city’s decision to cut the pay of city employees by 4.6 percent in the fiscal year that began July 1. It also calls into question the $13 million voluntary buyout plan for city sanitation workers that is part of the new city budget.

The lawsuit claims both violate the terms of contracts negotiated with the labor unions and that changing the terms means the city and the unions are at an impasse. The unions are seeking injunctions to stop both.

Already on Mays calendar is the schools consolidation case, which he is in the process of deciding. June 30 was the deadline for all sides in the sprawling case to make their final arguments in the form of written motions.

No hearing date had been set at press time for the newest lawsuit.

– Bill Dries

Fite Road Design Wins Approval

Shelby County Commissioners approved Monday, July 11, funding for design work on the long-awaited improvements to Fite Road in north Shelby County.

The vote came after Commissioner Henri Brooks ran aground in her continuing pursuit of compliance with Title 6, the non-discrimination plan that is part of the Civil Rights Act. Adding language to any resolution involving federal funds to require a Title 6 plan was Brooks’ best known cause during her tenure as a state representative. And she brought the cause with her when she was elected to the commission in 2006.

She brought it up again this week with the resolution to accept $138,542 in federal grant funds passed through the state to partially pay for the design of improvements to Fite Road off Highway 51 between Frayser and Millington.

County Public Works director Tom Needham told Brooks a Title 6 plan wasn’t needed by the county because the state Department of Transportation included one. It’s the second time the Luttrell administration has challenged Brooks on the point. The first time was earlier this year with an assistant county attorney ready with a legal opinion.

Commissioners Terry Roland and Chris Thomas said Brooks was trying to delay a much-needed project for a predominantly African-American community that needed the improved road as what Roland termed a “lifeline.”

“My intent is to be in compliance with the law,” Brooks said, insisting she was right and was not unnecessarily delaying the project. Needham said a delay might cause the county to lose federal funding.

Her move to delay approval of accepting the funding was defeated, and acceptance of the funding was approved.

– Bill Dries

Blues Foundation Moves Into New Home

The Memphis-based Blues Foundation has moved into its new home at 421 S. Main St., suite 104.

The move, which happened July 5, puts the foundation into a space most recently occupied by Public Storage. The foundation bought the retail portion of the Hotline Lofts three-story condo in December.

Design 500 and archimania are developing a master plan that will convert the space into an educational and entertaining destination for blues music fans from around the world.

– Andy Meek

Center City Honors Memphis Farmers Market

A Visionary Award from the Center City Commission will be awarded to the Memphis Farmers Market at the group’s annual luncheon to be held July 21 at The Peabody hotel.

It’s the same day the CCC takes on its new name: the Downtown Memphis Commission.

The Downtown Vision Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact toward the advancement of downtown Memphis. A selection committee comprised of the chairs of the five boards that make up the CCC determined the recipients of the awards.

The Memphis Farmers Market is being recognized for launching a successful effort to make a somewhat dormant area of Downtown a place that engages hundreds of local families each week. The MFM has grown into one of Downtown’s most successful community ventures in fewer than five years. The market offers access to locally grown foods as well as indigenous products, educational programs and local entertainment. The award also recognizes MFM’s successful $300,000 expansion project goal in the past year.

– Houston Cofield

Int’l Folk Alliance Conference Announces Keynote Speaker

The Folk Alliance International has announced that Bob Lefsetz will be the featured keynote speaker at the 24th annual International Folk Alliance Conference at the Downtown Marriott, 250 N. Main St., Feb. 22-26.

Bob Lefsetz, based in Santa Monica, is the author of “The Lefsetz Letter,” an email newsletter offering insights fueled by his stint as an entertainment business attorney, majordomo of Sanctuary Music’s American division and consultant to major labels.

The conference also will celebrate the centennials for folk music legends Woody Guthrie, Bill Monroe and Robert Johnson.

Early-bird conference registration is now open and official showcase applications are now being accepted. The early-bird deadline for all showcase applications is Sept. 24, with a final deadline slated for Nov. 19. The early-bird rate for conference registration also ends Nov. 19.

For more information, applications or to register for the conference, call 522-1170 or visit www.folkalliance.org/conference.

– Taylor Shoptaw