MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It was vacant for years, but soon the home of the old French Quarter in Overton Square could be home to a new hotel.
New owners have moved forward with plans to demolish and rebuild at the corner of Madison and Cooper.
There was interest in the old French Quarter before, but this was the first concrete plan that has been put in place.
Midtown resident Sammy Marten lived right next door to the former French Quarter hotel in Overton Square.
“It’s basically become an eyesore over the last six, seven, eight years,” he said.
He said has been waiting for something to be done with the property, and soon, he could get his wish.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m sure everyone in Midtown’s finally glad,” he said. “I think they’re going to start demolishing soon, if I’m not mistaken.”
Josh Whitehead of the city’s Office of Planning and Development said the new owner, NCE Realty and Capital Corporation LLC and Solomito Land Planning submitted their plan for a new hotel to the Land Use Control Board.
“The property building meets the objectives of the zoning of the area much more than the existing building,” Whitehead said.
The plans called for a modernized hotel called Hotel Overton.
“It pushes the building closer to the street,” Whitehead said.
The Land Use Control Board scheduled to hear the proposal on June 11.
Then, it would go before City Council.
Marten said he hoped the plan could move forward and bring Midtown what it has been missing.
“Midtown needs a hotel. The only thing here is right across the freeway on Union Avenue,” Marten said. Whitehead added, “It’s also kind of one of the last missing pieces to the whole redevelopment of Overton Square.”
A public meeting on the redevelopment plan must be held by the owner by May 20.
No word yet on when that meeting will be held.