Not At Any Price

By Kleinheider Posted on July 22, 2008 at 8:05 am

Nate Rau reports on Joy Ford’s fight against the Metro Development and Housing Agency’s attempt to seize her land:

Metro Councilman Michael Craddock said a group of “half the Metro Council members” was ready to support a bill that could intercede on Ford’s behalf if necessary.

Craddock did not explain the details of the bill, but said a draft was completed and ready to be filed.

“It’s been prepared,” Craddock said of the bill. “I’m so concerned about what MDHA is doing that I’m looking for any alternative possible to stop them. The bill has been drawn. It has been prepared. I’m waiting for the outcome of this and whether or not MDHA will come to their senses.”

The 23 Music Center East property is part of a redevelopment district instituted by Metro Council in 1999. The redevelopment plan labeled Ford’s Country International Records property as “blighted” and MDHA subsequently sought to negotiate with her to purchase the property. Ford has steadfastly refused.

In order to take the blighted claim off Ford’s property, Council would possibly have to remove the redevelopment district, which is a move Craddock said he did not take lightly.

SEE ALSO:
Photos and reporting from the press conference by Old Broad.
A WPLN report

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Tags: eminent domain, Joy Ford, Lionstone, MDHA, Michael Craddock, Music Row