Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Progress: Cumberland Presbyterian Building

Memphis Heritage sent the following this afternoon.
Although nothing is completely resolved, we wanted to update you on the status of the Cumberland Building and our discussions with Chick-fil-A. On Wednesday May 7 several local architects, on behalf of MHI, toured the Cumberland property to see what possibilities existed for the adaptive reuse of the building as a CFA restaurant. The next day these same architects met with Chick-fil-A's architect, construction specialist and VP's of Real Estate and Construction who flew in from Atlanta to review the findings.

It was a productive meeting. While both groups agreed that using the entire building is virtually impossible for CFA's needs, Chick-fil-A has agreed to review the plans that were discussed on May 8 and get back with MHI within the next several weeks regarding the possibility of some sort of compromise. After meeting with the representatives for CFA face to face we were impressed with their sincere concern for the Mid Town community and their willingness to have an open discussion. They went the extra mile to meet with us and we both agreed that if we had met sooner things would have gone more smoothly in regards to our concerns about their plans.

Because we feel CFA is working with us to come to an acceptable compromise we would like to ask you to call their offices or email and thank them for coming to the table.

Bubba.Cathy@chick-fil-A.com
Dan.Cathy@chick-fil-A.com
Erwin.Reid@chick-fil-A.com
Perry.Ragsdale@chick-fil-A.com

CFA Phone: 1-404-765-8000

We thank all of you for your help in emailing and calling the CFA corporate office. It made the difference. Without your support there would not have been a meeting!

Thank You!

June Waddell West
901.272.2727
Memphis Heritage, Inc.
2282 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
www.memphisheritage.org
info@memphisheritage.org


Thanks everyone for help making this good news!

Cumberland Presbyterian Archives Building from Idlewild Historic District

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6 Comments:

Blogger nathanwberry said...

Terrific news!

2:28 AM  
Blogger Harvey said...

Gates,

Got a question for you. Does this make you willing to go to Chick-Fil-A more than any other fast food restaurant? Personally, I am given to eating local if possible. I do give in to the occasional fast food temptation and

I am thinking, because I have finally seem some humanity arise from the corporate quarters of Chick-Fil-A, that I am going to eat at one of their restaurants when I do in fact eat fast food. I would love to hear your's and anyone's thoughts on this.

9:57 AM  
Blogger nathanwberry said...

I don't want to start an argument, but I would dare call this humanity. I'd wait to see if any real effort arises; and the outcome, especially. To me, corporate feigning interest is simple and easy marketing. Sincerity is the hard part.

1:44 PM  
Blogger Harvey said...

Good point. You aren't starting an argument at all. It will be interesting to see what happens.

1:47 PM  
Blogger cdel said...

Harvey - I can tell you that I haven't eaten at Chick-Fil-A since I found out about their initial plans because it would have made me feel like a hypocrite.
Before, I ate there at least a few times a month. I work in the office building attached to Oak Court Mall so it's one of the best choices for a quick bite.
If they do come through, I'll feel a lot better about eating there again.

2:31 PM  
Blogger gatesofmemphis said...

Harvey, believe it or not this issue hasn't made me want to eat there less or more because they have neither demolished it (or have a bad history of doing that kind of stuff, afaik) nor have they actually saved it.

My personal position will be "hold" until they do something good or ... bad.

But the meeting was a good step and I appreciate it.

10:36 PM  

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