Memphis’ mayor’s office has rallied together, to help figure out the future of Aretha Franklin’s dilapidated birth home.
Per Page Six, Alan Crone, special counsel to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, appeared before a judge on Thursday, March 23, to pitch the idea of working with other stakeholders concerned about the preservation and future use of the historic landmark, where the soul singer was born in 1942.
Though currently only in talks, Crone revealed they have been contacted by “serious people,” who are interested in preserving, restoring, or maybe even relocating the home — to a safer area, where visitors, including out-of-town tourists can soak up a little piece of the “Respect” vocalist’s history.
“If we can get one house right, no matter where it is, that’s a victory,” Crone told Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter during the hearing. “But this is a historic property, and it’s part of our heritage as Memphians that all kinds of music was literally born here.”
Franklin, known as the “Queen of Soul,” was born in the house in the early 40s. However, two short years later, the family relocated. Still, the community isn’t ready to give up on the property just yet.
In the meantime, the residence, which has been abandoned — with windows boarded up — for several years, has been placed in a receivership, headed by the president of LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corporation, Jeffrey Higgs. Last month, Higgs reportedly began discussions with a producer at the DIY Network on a plan to repair and move the home for one of its programs. Though Potter admitted he’d rather see the home rescued by local entities, if the DIY Network and other outside groups want to assist, then, okay.
“I’ll go out and help them,” Potter said. “I’m not going to be nailing up anything because it would be crooked if I nailed it up. I’m not a carpenter. But I’m serious about the fact that I want that building rehabbed.”
Though nothing has been set in stone, the roof could be fixed as soon as the end of the month.
