Nat. Preservation Confrerence TN Scholarship Application

Tennessee Scholarships available for National Preservation Conference:
Nashville, October 13-17, 2009

Applications are due June 1, 2009
Click here for an application

Who is eligible?
College students, retirees, community volunteers, working professionals... anyone interested in enhancing their community through historic preservation and economic development can benefit from the conference and should consider applying for a scholarship. More than ever, historic preservation includes people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, geographic regions, academic disciplines, and professional careers. To support this positive trend and to expand the preservation movement, scholarships are available to attend the National Preservation Conference. Tennessee Scholarships are available to Tennessee residents only.

What is the National Preservation Conference?
The National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual conference is the premier educational and networking event for community leaders, volunteers, and staff working towards preservation goals. With approximately 100 educational and field sessions, special lectures, and networking opportunities, it is an excellent source for information, ideas, and inspiration. Participants return to their communities with successful tactics and lessons from colleagues across the country.

The 2009 National Preservation Conference, "Sustaining the Future in Harmony with Our Pasts," will be held in Nashville, October 13-17, 2009. Whether you are interested in environmental and sustainable practices, Modernism + Recent Past, finance and real estate, downtown revitalization, or one of dozens of other topics, there is something for you. For the most up-to-date information about all aspects of the 2009 conference, go to http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/npc/

What is the Tennessee Scholarship?
A Tennessee Scholarship covers full conference registration and one ticketed educational or field session. It does not cover transportation or lodging. Funded in part by the Tennessee Historical Commission, one hundred (100) scholarships are available to Tennessee residents. These scholarships are intended to ensure that the state's cultural, economic, and geographical diversity are well represented at the conference.

When should I apply?
Now. The Tennessee Scholarship application deadline is June 1, 2009.

Where do I apply?
Applications can be downloaded here and only take about 15-20 minutes to complete. Follow the mailing instructions on the application or fax the three-page application back to 615-898-5614.

Why should I apply?
So that you do not miss this rare opportunity to attend a National Preservation Conference so close to home. Travel and lodging will never be as easy for many of the state's residents as they are this year.

Questions?
The Tennessee Scholarship Program is administered through the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University.
For questions, please contact Anne-Leslie Owens at 615-494-8938 or alowens@mtsu.edu.

Who in YOUR community should apply for a Tennessee Scholarship? Send in an application yourself and forward this email on to others. Thanks!

National Trust Online Auction ends Sunday

At 6:00 PM EDT THIS SUNDAY, MAY 31, our auction closes.

Place Your Bids Today...

These are the last days to bid on the annual National Preservation Month Online Auction. This is it! Here is a chance to win a gift or an historic travel experience, while contributing to a good cause at the same time. You can help us raise awareness and funds.

The annual National Preservation Month Auction features unique get-aways, behind-the-scenes or specialized tours of historic places, stays at amazing historic hotels, books, home items and much more. All the proceeds go toward the mission of helping save places that matter to you, your community and your neighborhood. See the catalog.

Overton Square Article in the CA

Overton Square article in today's Commercial Appeal here.

Levitt Shell Season Opener Tomorrow!

The Levitt Shell in Overton Park will begin it's new season tomorrow night at 7pm. Check their site here for more details. This is a great FREE activity!

Time Change for UDC Meeting

New Development Code, that Memphis Really Needs

We have just been informed that the meeting being held in the City Council Chambers has been changed from 5:30 to 5:00 on Thursday, May 28th.

To go to the UDC website, please click here:

Unified Development Code (UDC)

New Development Code, that Memphis Really Needs

Over the last several years the City and County have been moving towards adopting a new code system for all development in Memphis and Shelby County.

The new Unified Development Code (UDC), as it is referred to, will make good development easier and more effective for our community. Please go to the web site Memphis.Code-Studio.com to read more about this effort and to become more familiar with how this new code system will do.

The Unified Development Code (UDC ) will be reviewed and voted on by the Land Use Control Board (LUCB) on Thursday May 28th at 5:30 in City Council chambers at 125 N Main - City Hall. This is the only issue before the LUCB and is being held at a special time so that people can come to the meeting. This is the first official step in get the new code approved. It would be good if the general public showed up to support the passing of the new code.


June Waddell West
Executive Director
Memphis Heritage, Inc.

Help Needed Saturday

If you can help volunteer for just half a day this Saturday, it would be SO appreciated!

THIS Saturday, May 23 at 9:00 am.

We need Volunteers to help unload Architectural Salvage from a full moving van and into storage. These are items that will be sold at our 2009 Architectural Auction.

We are asking our volunteers to meet us at Memphis Heritage/Howard Hall, 2282 Madison at Edgewood at 9:00am. We expect to be finished between NOON or 1pm at the latest. Chooch Pickard will now be leading the crew. If you can help or have any questions, please call him at 901.491.3354.

Elements that we store will be sold at our 2009 Architectural Auction. This auction is held every two years to raise dollars for Memphis Heritage to continue to exist and to be the voice of Historic Preservation in Memphis and Shelby County.

If you can come to this Posse roundup
please call Chooch at 901.491.3354 and let him know.


Thanks for your continued support!

June

URGENT Overton Square Notice!!!

May 20, 2009

Our plan to have a conversation with AWG (Associated Wholesale Grocers) about their proposed development at Overton Square has not been successful. After many attempts to reach various officers of the company we have yet to be given the courtesy of a returned call. Our request for a meeting to discuss their plans and possible alternates fell on deaf ears. We had hoped that they would be willing to meet with Memphis Heritage and other groups/stakeholders that are concerned about the plan they are proposing.

Since they will not communicate with us it appears we must rally the voices of those that do not want to see this area of Overton Square bulldozed for an inappropriate and undesired development in the heart of midtown. The owners of the property (Fisher Capital) and the proposed developers (AWG) do not seem to understand the importance of this area to local residents and other Memphians. Unfortunately they see it as just another piece of land for low suburban sprawl, strip development. We feel it needs to be a much more defined urban space with more density such as a town center or an entertainment district, etc.

Fisher Capital continues to say that the buildings are "obsolete" and are not worth saving. The owners have not been willing to make needed repairs to the property to prevent its deterioration. In addition,based on information we have received from past tenants, the present owners have forced the relocation of over 7 retail/shops after saying in public that they have not been able to rent the space after trying for over 10 years!

We are asking that you let your opinion be known to the developers, AWG, and to the present owners, Fisher Capital. We are asking that they enter into a dialogue with stakeholders in the area to change their present development plans for Overton Square. Below is their contact information.

Thank you,
June
June Waddell West Please email and call them today. Thank you!
Executive Director
Memphis Heritage, Inc


Contacts at Associated Wholesale Grocers:
Name/Position/Email

Jerry Garland, President and CEO jgarland@awginc.com

Bob Walker, Executive Vice president and CFO bwalker@awginc.com

Mike Rand, Chief Operating Officer mrand@awginc.com

Steve Dillard, Vice President Corporate Sales Development sdillard@awginc.com

Corporate phone: 913-288-1000
Fax: 913-288-1587

Mailing address: Corporate offices for AWG

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc.
5000 Kansas Avenue
Kansas City, Kansas 66106

A W G Memphis Division
8561 Aaron Ln.
Southaven, MS 38671
Phone: 662-342-4410
************************************************************************************
Owners of property: Fisher Capital
5619 DTC Parkway, Suite 1150
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Blake Fisher, real estate bffisher@fisher-capital.com

Don Fisher, co-founded Fisher Capital
Scott FIsher, finance
Phone: 303.414.9900 No other emails available other than info@fisher-capital.com

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************

For those of you who have not already seen this, below is an excerpt from an article in the MHI May June Keystone:

More tenants moved out to make way for Proposed Demolition at Overton Square

Memphis Heritage is continuing its coverage of the proposed plans for the south side of Overton Square. We have recently been told that the owners of the property chose not to honor the last year of Fantastic Sam's lease.
This raises suspicion that the owners are clearing out the tenants of the first two structures on the south side in order to move forward with the plan for demolishing the historic buildings that face Madison and Cooper............

Preliminary plans released by the local media have said that the historic buildings along Cooper and Madison would be demolished and a box type grocery store would be developed in the southwest corner of the large parking lot area. MHI held an earlier meeting several months ago that brought local architects, planners and community representatives together to discuss alternative types of development that might better suit the neighborhood. If you are interested in participating in this ongoing discussion please email jwest@memphisheritage.org and asked to be put on our MHI email list.

As always,
Thank you for your support and for helping Memphis Heritage give our past a future.

Thanks,
June
June Waddell West
Executive Director
Memphis Heritage, Inc.

Reminder: Overton Square Meeting Tonight 4-6

On Wednesday May 20 from 4pm til 6pm Memphis Heritage will be presenting an overview of the history of the Overton Square Area starting with what the area was like in the 1880's up to present day. Neely Woodson Powell (daughter of Ben Woodson who reestablished the district as a booming business area in the 70's), Jeanne Arthur (who handled operation and events for the Square during it's hey day), local architects Cristina Ross and Sarah Hadsky
will present the program.
This presentation is open to the public. Representatives from the surrounding neighborhoods, local businesses and stakeholders will be invited to give their comments on the revitalization of the area that has been called the "jewel of midtown".

Volunteers Needed This Saturday

The Memphis Heritage Preservation Posse will be at it again THIS Saturday, May 23 at 9:00 am.

We need Volunteers to help unload Architectural Salvage from a full moving van and into storage. These are items that will be sold at our 2009 Architectural Auction.

We are asking our volunteers to meet us at Memphis Heritage/Howard Hall, 2282 Madison at Edgewood at 9:00am. We expect to be finished between NOON or 1pm at the latest. Sheriff Dave Early will yet again be leading the crew. If you need to reach Dave, call his cell at 901.355.6516.

Elements that we store will be sold at our 2009 Architectural Auction. This auction is held every two years to raise dollars for Memphis Heritage to continue to exist and to be the voice of Historic Preservation in Memphis and Shelby County.

If you can come to this Posse roundup please call Dave's cell at 901.355.6516, or email jwest@memphisheritage.org and let us know.

Thanks for your continued support!

June

Join Memphis Heritage on Facebook

Join the Memphis Heritage group on Facebook for great information and updates!

Click the link here.

Overton Square Meeting at Howard Hall

More tenants moved out to make way for Proposed Demolition at Overton Square

Memphis Heritage is continuing its coverage of the proposed plans for the south side of Overton Square. We have recently been told that Fantastic Sam's lease was not renewed by the owners of the property. This raises suspicion that the owners are clearing out the tenants of the first two structures on the south side in order to move forward with the plan for demolishing the historic buildings that face Madison and Cooper..

On Wednesday May 20 from 4pm til 6pm Memphis Heritage will be presenting an overview of the history of the Overton Square Area starting with what the area was like in the 1880's up to present day.

Neely Woodson Powell (daughter of Ben Woodson who reestablished the district as a booming business area in the 70's), Jeanne Arthur (who handled operation and events for the Square during it's hey day), local architects Cristina Ross and Sarah Hadsky will present the program.

This presentation is open to the public. Representatives from the surrounding neighborhoods, local businesses and stakeholders will be invited to give their comments on the revitalization of the area that has been called the "jewel of midtown".

Preliminary plans released by the local media have said that the historic buildings along Cooper and Madison would be demolished and a box type grocery store would be developed in the southwest corner of the large parking lot area. MHI held an earlier meeting several months ago that brought local architects, planners and community representatives together to discuss alternative types of development that might better suit the neighborhood. If you are interested in participating in this ongoing discussion please email jwest@memphisheritage.org and asked to be put on our MHI email list.

May 13 , 2009
Here's where we are:

Memphis Heritage spoke with James Raspberry (Rental agent for the property) on Friday, May 1, and asked that we set up a conference call with some of the Overton Square area stakeholders, i.e. neighborhood groups, property owners in the area, Fisher Capital and the developer AWG (if they , Fisher) wanted to include them).

On Tuesday May 5th Mr. Raspberry called us back and said that he had spoken to Blake Fisher (one of the owners) and that Memphis Heritage should call Mr. Fisher direct. We spoke to Blake Fisher for about 30 minutes on , May 7th. We had a good conversation however he (Blake Fisher) feels we should take our concerns to the City Planning Department not to his group or to the developer (AWG). He says that is how they do it in most of the places he holds property.
He spoke the same words we have heard before about not being able to rent the space out.....that it was costing them a large amount to maintain the buildings and that the buildings are not worth saving. The buildings are obsolete, etc.

We have contacted AWG and ask them for a face to face meeting to discuss their plans. As of this email they have not returned our calls. We hope that they will be willing to meet with Memphis Heritage and other groups that are concerned about the plan they are proposing. We will keep everyone in the loop about whatever we hear. We do not want to spread rumors or untruths. This is one of the reasons we want to have a meeting with AWG as soon as possible to defuse
any issues.
More to come...

Thanks,

June

June Waddell West
Executive Director
Memphis Heritage, Inc.

Art Reception Reminder - Tonight!

Architecture and Our Youth:
2009 Design Competition Reception

Sponsored by Art Center

Just a reminder that all are invited to the reception tonight from 5:30 -7:00!

In Honor of National Preservation Month

2009 Youth and Architecture Competition
Sponsored by Memphis Heritage, Inc. and AIA Memphis

A special reception honoring the students, teachers
and announcing the winners.

Tuesday, May 12 at Howard Hall
2282 Madison Avenue at Edgewood
5:30 - 7:00 pm

Open to the Public!

Overton Square Updates

Check the Daily News and Memphis Business Journal for Overton Square updates. The new issue of the Memphis Heritage newspaper The Keystone has and article as well. June has has sent an e-mail with more details to Memphis Heritage members. If you need more information contact jwest@memphisheritage.org.

Memphis Business Journal: Overton Square Property Under Contract to Sell

Memphis Business Journal: Grocery Store Chain Signs Contract for Overton Square Development

Vote for Memphis as one of America's Favorite Cities!

Vote for Memphis as of of America's Favorite Cities in Travel & Leisure Magazine! Follow the link here to vote for the Bluff City!

This Weekend at the Memphis Farmer's Market

Learn How To Make Food into Art and Celebrate Mother's Day this Saturday!
Food as Art
Enjoy the creations of vendors and patrons with the first ever MFM Food as Art contest.

Watermelon Carving
Watch the famous Robert Hayes as he takes a whole watermelon and carves away bits and pieces until an incredible work of art unfolds.

For the Kids
Kids can have fun painting with fruit and flowers from the Market and take home a special card they made just for Mama.

Music
7:00-8:00 Ron McDonald
8:00 - 10:30 The Pot Likker Stringband
10:30 - 1:00 Daniel Foster Johnston

Harvesting Good Health
Get a blood pressure check and pick up some heart healthy recipes between 8am and 10am at the Harvesting Good Health table. Find out why blood pressure checks are important, and get some heart healthy tips, nutritional updates and recipes.

Products available this week
Find even more strawberries this week as May 1st through 10th is peak strawberry season for local growers.
Look for a bounty of greens, kale, chard, spinach, romaine lettuce, arugula, mesclun mix. Try mild spring onions, french radishes and broccoli rabe and sweet potatoes.

Need a gift for Mom? Think about hand made herbal soaps, a recycled garden luminary, hand thrown pottery, or an engraved reusable bottle for water, olive oil or dish soap.

Grab Mom some sweet treats directly from the baker, a bouquet of fresh cut flowers or a rare single stem rose.

Planting a kitchen garden? You'll only have a few more weeks to pick up vegetable plants or herbs and get them planted in the ground.

Youth Design Competition Reception

Architecture and Our Youth:
2009 Design Competition Reception
Sponsored by Art Center
You're Invited!
In Honor of National Preservation Month
2009 Youth and Architecture Competition
Sponsored by Memphis Heritage, Inc. and AIA Memphis

A special reception honoring the students, teachers
and announcing the winners.
Tuesday, May 12 at Howard Hall
2282 Madison Avenue at Edgewood
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Open to the Public!
Students were asked to explore the historic buildings and spaces around them through an art medium of their choice. In addition, participants submitted a short essay describing why they chose the building/space and how they feel about the historic property they chose.
This project generously supported by:
Art Center | 1636 Union Avenue | www.artcentermemphis.com
For information call Memphis Heritage, Inc 901.272.2727.

Wine Tasting Tonight at the Brooks

Celebrate Chile with AIA Memphis
and the Brooks Museum Tomorrow Night!

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Come early and enjoy:
a Chilean Wine Tasting
view the exhibit Treasures from the National Museum of Fine Arts, Santiago de Chile
and experience one of the beautiful cities of Chile through the eyes of architect Eduardo Rojas
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tuesday, May 5
The Rehabilitation of the Historic Quarter of Valparaiso, Chile
honored guest speaker and noted Chilean architect Eduardo Rojas

Eduardo Rojas is a Principal Specialist in Urban Development at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDP). The IDB provides solutions to development challenges in 26 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, partnering with governments, companies and civil society organizations. The IDB lends money and provides grants in addition to offering research, advice and technical assistance to improve key areas like education, poverty reduction and agriculture. Clients range from central governments to city authorities and small businesses. The IDP also seeks to take a lead role on cross-border issues like trade, infrastructure and energy. Rojas' primary areas of work include housing sector reform and low income housing programs, urban heritage preservation, and integrated urban development.

Eduardo Rojas
Eduardo Rojas is this year's featured architect for the AIA Memphis Distinguished Architects of the World Series
an annual event in partnership with Memphis In May International Festival

Chilean Wine Tasting | 5:30 pm
Rojas Lecture | 6:30 pm
@ Brooks Museum of Art . 2009 Series Partner | 1934 Poplar Avenue
lecture: with museum admission ($7 adults | $6 seniors | $3 students) / Brooks members free
wine tasting: $20 includes sampling of four wines + hors d'oeuvres (not included in admission)

tickets for tasting and lecture will be available at the door

Sponsored by Crow Friedman Group

> Also on view before the presentation:

Treasures from the National Museum of Fine Arts, Santiago de Chile
This exhibition is designed to illuminate life and artistic excellence in Chile through a collection of 12 important Chilean paintings from the XIX and XX centuries. The collection is on loan from the National Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago and includes such noted Chilean artists as Juan Francisco González, Juan Mauricio Rugendas, Fernando Laroche, and others.

Open to the Public ~ Bring a Friend!

Riverfront Cobblestones - URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED

PLEASE RESPOND BY MAY 6th

Dear Friends of Memphis Heritage and Historic Preservation,

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a public notice which we have copied below, regarding a proposed plan of work for the historic cobblestone landing on the Memphis riverfront. We encourage you to read this notice and to pay particular attention to the description of work. This work includes restoration of damaged and poorly maintained areas of the cobblestones, which is needed. However, it also includes other changes to the cobblestones which could potentially detract from its historic authenticity and impair its use as a public boat landing, including:

construction of three 10' concrete walkways across the cobblestones from Riverside Drive to the water; and
construction of a sidewalk and rip rap embankment along the entire western side of the cobblestone wharf.
These changes have previously been explained as necessary for pedestrian access and to stabilize the cobblestones. Unfortunately, they could also have an adverse effect on the site's historic authenticity and on its continued use as a public landing to access the river.

This project will be funded with federal grant funds, and therefore is subject to federal environmental and historic preservation regulatory reviews. As part of this process, it is critical that the citizens of Memphis have the opportunity to give input on the plan.
In short, the project plans should be presented to the public in a public hearing. However, the notice makes it clear that a hearing will be held at the discretion of the Corps of Engineers-it is not a given.

We urge you to write or e-mail the Corps of Engineers requesting a public hearing so that the project plans can be presented and discussed by concerned citizens and stakeholders.
The name, address and e-mail where your comments can be sent are provided in the public notice. We have also provided a simple letter below at the bottom of this email, requesting a hearing which you can copy and modify to express your own viewpoint on the project and either mail or e-mail by the due date, May 6, 2009

Thank you for your dedication to preserving our past for future generations!

Sincerely,

June W. West
Executive Director
Memphis Heritage, Inc.

Public Notice Corps of Engineers


REPLY TO ATTN: Mitch Elcan
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 167 North Main Street, Room B-202 Memphis, Tennessee 38103-1894 Telephone: (901) 544-0737 Fax (901) 544-0211 EMail:James.M.Elcan@usace.army.mil

PUBLIC NOTICE NO: MVM-2009-093(jme)
PUBLIC NOTICE DATE: April 6, 2009
EXPIRATION DATE: May 6,2009


AUTHORITY: Pursuant to 33 CFR 325, as published in the Federal Register dated November 13, 1986, this notice announces an application submitted for aDepartment of the Army permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

APPLICANT: Mr. John Conroy AGENT: Mr. Robert Kurtz
Riverfront Development Corporation Tetra Tech, Inc.
22 North Front Street, Suite 960
65 Union Avenue, Suite 300
Memphis, Tennessee 38103 Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(901) 312-9190 (901) 523-9500


LOCATION: The project is located on the east side of Wolf River Harbor, west of Riverside Drive, north of Beal Street Landing and south of Jefferson Davis Park in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee at approximate latitude 35.14472° and longitude -90.05639° on the USGS Northwest Memphis, Tennessee
7.5 minute quadrangle map.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the project is to restore the historic Memphis Cobblestone Landing, providing for long term preservation, improved public access and to add interpretive enhancement.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The applicant proposes to protect and improve the Memphis Cobblestone Landing by stabilizing the bank at the base of the cobblestones, repairing the cobblestone field, adding walkways and staircases to enhance public access and removing above ground utilities. Bank stabilization is needed to protect the cobblestones from future damage caused by wave action and dredging in the Wolf River Harbor, which has led to slippage of the cobblestones into the harbor.
Repairs will be accomplished by removing extraneous concrete and asphalt that has been placed over cobblestones; removing silt; filling in large depressions and eroded areas in the cobblestone field; adding runoff and erosion control features; and repairing and restoring cultural features such as mooring rings and the river gage.
Pedestrian access will be improved by adding stairs and walkways that extend from the top of the cobblestone field to its bottom and along the western edge. The walkway along the western edge will provide an accessible path from Jefferson Davis Park on the north all the way to the new Beal Street Landing. Additionally, above ground utilities will be removed and replaced with underground systems and interpretive signage will be added to educate the public to the historical significance of the area.
To accomplish this, approximately 14,800 cubic yards of sand and silt material will be hydrology dredged from below ordinary high water along the length of the project (approximately 2,200 linear feet). This material will be discharged via a floating pipe downstream of the Wolf River Harbor into the Mississippi River. Approximately 8,650 cubic yards of clean earthen fill will then be placed to stabilize the slope. The proposed north-south walk to be constructed along the western edge of the Memphis Cobblestone Landing will be astructural concrete slab with supporting foundation. To stabilize the edge of the cobblestone field, the foundation wall will be installed along the top of the bank and extend down to geo-technically stable soil. This sidewalk will frame the cobblestones to the east and prevent the soil from degrading, stopping the cobbles from being carried into the Wolf River Harbor. To the west of the foundation wall and walk section, riprap will be notched into the bank's 3:1 slope to protect the bank from washout associated with continued riverboat operations and erosion. The overall quantity of riprap being placed is approximately 7,700 cubic yards.

WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION: The applicant should contact the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Pollution Control (TDEC) at (615) 532-0713 or TDEC, 7th Floor L. & C. Annex Building, 401 Church Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1534 and request water quality certification. This certification or evidence of this water quality certification or waiver of the right to certify must be submitted prior to issuance of a Corps of Engineers permit. The Department will consider all relative comments in the decision to grant or deny water quality certification for the proposed activity. The Corps of Engineers' evaluation of the impact of the activity on the public interest will include application of the guidelines promUlgated by the Administrator, EPA, under authority of Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: No endangered or threatened species, or their critical habitat, are known to exist in the project area. This application is being coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Any comments they may have regarding endangered or threatened wildlife or plants, or their critical habitat, will be considered in our evaluation of the described work.
CULTURAL RESOURCES: The Memphis District will evaluate information provided by the State Historic Preservation Office, Federally-recognized Tribes, andthepublicinresponsetothispublicnoticeandwemayconduct, orrequireasurveyoftheprojectarea.Apreliminaryin-houserecordssearchindicated that the cobble-stone landing is part of the Cotton Row Historic District.
FLOOD PLAIN: In accordance with 44 CFR Part 60 (Flood Plain Management and Use), participating communities are required to review all proposed development to determine if a flood plain development permit is required. Flood plain administrators should review the proposed public notice and apprise this office of any flood plain development permit requirements.
PUBLIC INTEREST REVIEW: The purpose of this public notice is to advise all interested parties of the activities for which a permit is sought and to solicit comments and information necessary to evaluate the probable impact on the public interest.
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including cumulative impacts of the activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concem for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the project must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the project will be considered, including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and in general, the needs and welfare of the people.
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the pUblic; Federal, state, and local agencies and officials; Federally-recognized Tribes; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers to determine whether to issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
PUBLIC HEARING: Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice that a public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests for a public hearing shall state, with particularity, the reason for holding a public hearing. The District Engineer will determine if the issuesraised aresubstantial andwhetherahearing isneededformakingadecision.
COMMENTS OR REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you wish to obtain additional information or to submit comments on the application, please contact Mitch Elcan at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 167 North Main Street, Room B-202, Memphis, Tennessee 38103-1894, telephone (901) 544-0737. Copies of all comments, including the names and address of commenters, may be provided to the applicant for consideration and response prior to a decision by the Corps.
Comments should be received by May 6, 2009.

Larry D. Watson
Chief Regulatory Branch

Sample Letter for you to copy and modify to express your own viewpoint. Again, this must be mailed or emailed by the due date, May 7, 2009.



Mr. Mitch Elcan
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE)
167 North Main Street, Room B-202
Memphis, Tennessee 38103-1894

Re: PUBLIC NOTICE NO: MVM-2009-093(jme)

Dear Mr. Elcan:

This is in response to the above notice on the Riverfront Development Corporation's (RDC) permit application for the cobblestone landing project. I am writing to request a public hearing on this project.

The cobblestone waterfront is part of the Cotton Row Historic District, and is one of the most significant historic sites in Memphis. A public presentation of the plan for this site should be given to insure that the public understands the nature of this project and supports the proposed improvements.

Sincerely,



Your Name