Graceland vs. City of Memphis In Townhall

Above, a view down Elvis Presley Blvd. Graceland is at left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A townhall meeting was held last night in Memphis, pitting the City of Memphis against Elvis Presley Enterprises.

According to Fox 13 Memphis:

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - An attorney for Elvis Presley Enterprises went head-to-head with the City of Memphis at a town hall meeting Wednesday night in Whitehaven.  

Elvis Presley Enterprises has plans in place for several major projects, including an 80,000 square foot convention center, a 6,2000-seat performance arena, and a new wing of the Guest House at Graceland, which would add 325 new rooms. 

As part of the plan, Graceland says its “Made in Memphis” initiative would also bring a manufacturing plant that would employ about 1,000 people.  

Each of those projects is on hold, because of an unusual legal battle over the proposed arena.  

In the City’s contract with the FedEx Forum, a clause prevents any entertainment venue from competing directly with the home of the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s currently up to a Shelby County Judge to determine whether the 6,200 seat arena in Whitehaven would violate that clause. 

The City of Memphis has asked the judge to dismiss the case.

The new development around Graceland has already drawn a new Holiday Inn Express, which is located a half mile south of Graceland on Elvis Presley Blvd. It includes a guitar-shaped swimming pool.

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