MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – There are buildings in Europe that have stoodthe test of time for centuries.
Memphis City Hall is a little more than 50-years-old, and it’s gottroubles.
Last year we talked about how pieces of the marble siding werefalling, coming right off the sides of the building. It could cost as more than$10 million to fix this.
According to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, “We’re pricing outhow much it would be to replace the siding, and that in part is the reason forsome of the flooding.”
Yes. He said flooding.
City Hall has had troubles with water for decades.
Remember the fountains that once flowed next to Main Street? Theyhave been shut down for a couple of years because they leak water into thebasement of City Hall.
Soon a new hotel will go up on this location – a fancy one – andnobody wants visitors to see a beat-up Memphis City Hall.
“The deferred maintenance on city hall is crazy high,” saysMayor Strickland. “People would rather spend money, my predecessors wouldrather spend money in the community. So as a result, City Hall has taken abeating.”
City Halls are symbols for the community. The main municipalbuilding is supposed to look good, to give people a good impression.
This one looks like a wrestler that went a few too many roundswith Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Just look at the nailed-shut entrance to the Memphis City CouncilChambers. Council is supposed to have their meetings in that room, along withseveral other agencies.
It was a beautiful place in 1968, when the then state of the artChambers opened, bathed in natural light.
“You know those skylights?” Mayor Strickland asks.“They’ve just worn out over time. Literally, water leaks in there. Theyhave to put buckets out to hold the water. So I think for six months or so,they’ll (city council) be out of there.”