Preservationists, members of Friends for Our Riverfront, and the
Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC) all agree on one thing: The
riverfront’s historic cobblestone landing is in dire need of
repair.
But the groups don’t see eye to eye on how to go about the
renovations.
In a standing-room-only meeting last week at the Balinese Ballroom
downtown, RDC president Benny Lendermon shared restoration plans for
the nation’s largest remaining intact cobblestone landing. Opponents
expressed concerns with parts of RDC’s plan, such as the use of riprap
(rough boulders) at the base of the landing, the construction of
east/west walkways to the river’s edge, and suitable water access for
canoes and kayaks.
Thanks to erosion, dredging, and boat operations, many stones on the
lower western edge have fallen into the water. Missing cobblestones
throughout the six-acre landing have made for an unsafe walking
surface.
“One of our objectives is to stabilize the western edge of the
cobblestone field. Right now, it’s unraveling like a baby’s blanket,”
Lendermon said.
The RDC wants to build a one-foot-thick barrier wall at the base of
the landing to hold remaining stones in place. Below that barrier,
plans call for a stone revetment created from a combination of large
and small boulders similar to the embankment in Tom Lee Park.
The use of riprap seemed to be opponents’ number one concern at last
week’s meeting. “Riprap is a trash collector, and once that trash gets
stuck in the rocks, there’s no way to get down there and clear it out,”
June West of Memphis Heritage said.
West and several others suggested the RDC build a poured concrete
slope, but Lendermon said that would double the cost of the
project.
“He says that’s more expensive, but Memphis Heritage is willing to
help raise money to do the right thing,” West said.
While no one voiced concern over plans to replace missing cobbles
with salvaged stones or restoring the old river gage at the site, Sue
Williams with Friends for Our Riverfront opposed the RDC’s proposal to build three
walkways leading to the river’s edge.
“Sidewalks don’t fit with historic preservation,” Williams said.
But Lendermon contends that such walkways will be necessary if
people intend to use the cobblestone landing for recreation, such as
floating restaurants.
“I’m a little baffled that everybody wants floating restaurants but
they don’t want walkways to get down there,” Lendermon said. “For
historic reasons, we’re not doing anything to 75 percent of the
cobblestones. It’ll still have the weaves and the ups and downs like it
did originally. The walkways would provide an even walking
surface.”
Though not in its original plans, Lendermon said the RDC is
considering covering the existing mud flat at the south end of the site
so kayakers can load in there.
The Corps of Engineers, who issues permits for this project, will
take written public comments through September 1st. Once comments are
collected, some of the RDC’s plans may be reworked.
