click to enlarge “Historically hip” Cooper Young



A Memphis City Council committee recommended Tuesday to halt demolition for 45 days within the proposed Cooper-Young historic overlay district.

This decision comes two weeks after the council delayed its vote on Cooper-Young’s historic designation at the request of council member Frank Colvett Jr., who said he needed certain questions answered before voting.

As a result of holding the vote, Colvett said residents of the neighborhood expressed concerns that developers would take advantage of that window to pull demolition permits.

Tuesday’s move is meant to “give residents some comfort,” while eliminating the opportunity for developers to “pull a fast one,” Colvett said.



Unnecessary demolition is among the key concerns of Cooper-Young residents who are pushing for the neighborhood's historic designation.





Under the moratorium, demolition projects that receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Commission, as well as those that are court-ordered will still be permitted during the 45-day period.



The proposed historic overlay district is roughly bounded by Mclean, Central, East Parkway, and Southern.

A public hearing concerning Cooper-Young’s landmark status is set for Monday, April 9.