Earlier this month, a standing-room-only crowd of riverfront
advocates and preservationists piled into the Balinese Ballroom
downtown to give the Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC) a piece
of their minds.
Many of those present weren’t happy with the RDC’s plan to place
rough stone (called riprap) at the base of the historic cobblestone
landing. Some also expressed concerns about RDC’s plans to install
east-west walkways leading to the river’s edge. No one seemed to argue,
however, with the RDC’s plan to replace missing cobblestones in the
historic landing.
But this isn’t a new project. According to a September 2000
Flyer story by Chris Przybyszewski, “the RDC has begun
supplementing the historic Memphis cobblestone walkway that lies
between Confederate and Tom Lee parks with both new and old
cobblestones. This $4.5 million project … will provide a safe and
attractive way to walk from the Tennessee Welcome Center into downtown
and south to Beale Street and Tom Lee Park.”
RDC president Benny Lendermon told the Flyer this week that
the $4.5 million cobblestone upgrade is the same project under way
today. Only, now the cost has inflated to $6 million.
Przybyszewski also reported that the RDC had plans to add medians,
pedestrian walkways, and flashing signs along Riverside Drive. At the
time, Lendermon said it looked “too much like the expressway.” Those
upgrades are in place today.
