P&H Cafe
A petition was recently launched to prevent the closure of the one-way alley behind the P&H Cafe on Madison.
The alley would become closed and gated off if developer 1544 Madison Partners’ proposal of constructing a 230-unit apartment complex in four building near there comes to fruition.
The four buildings would be bounded by Madison, Court, Avalon, and the property that contains the P&H, and would only be accessible with two gated driveways on Madison and one on Court.
Petitioners say this will hinder public access to the P&H, as the one-way alley behind the cafe would no longer be an option.
“We are asking the old and new alike who have found refuge and came to love this historical local watering hole to help us fight against this closure,” the petition reads.
Petitioners are also concerned about the effect the new complex could have on parking availability for P&H goers.
“Parking is already a hassle as it is,” another comment reads. “ Let’s not make it worse.”
So far the petition, posted to the site Care2, has 1,201 supporting signatures, but that number is rising steadily.
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“The P&H is a Memphis institution,” one supporters comment reads. “Please don’t keep chipping away at the character of Midtown by letting spoiled-brat developers get whatever they demand.”
The developer’s application will be heard by the city’s Land Use Control Board at its Thursday, March 8th meeting. The meeting will begin at 10:00 at City Hall in the Council Chambers on the first floor.
If approved by that board, the Memphis City Council will make the final votes on the plans later.
