MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For almost three decades, Robert Lipscomb has been the point man for every key city project during both the administrations of Mayors A C Wharton and W.W. Herenton, but now the city’s go-to guy is facing serious allegations of having sex with a minor a decade ago.

“While Director Lipscomb has been a significant contributor to the growth and development of this great community for nearly 30 years, these allegations are disturbing,” Wharton said.

Lipscomb is viewed as the powerful head of both the Housing and Community Development Agency and the Memphis Housing Authority. Under his leadership, he oversaw the reuse and opening of the Bass Pro Pyramid, the demolition of the city’s major public housing developments and plans for an amateur sports tournament complex at the Mid-South Fairgrounds.

Memphis City Councilman Myron Lowery said it’s hard to overlook the influence Lipscomb has had on Memphis.

“Without Robert Lipscomb we wouldn’t have the Bass Pro Pyramid,” Lowery said. “Under his leadership, we’ve obtained five Hope VI grants and revitalized public housing throughout the city.”

Some question whether it will be business as usual for the city without Lipscomb at the helm.

Councilwoman Wanda Halbert appeared this morning on News Channel 3 Live at 9.

“It absolutely impacts business,” she said. “I am not sure who would carry on the day-to-day operations in Director Lipscomb’s absence. That’s something I would have expected the mayor and CAO (Jack Sammons) to share with the Council, but we haven’t heard anything.”

Wharton said key city projects are not in jeopardy.

“These projects will keep going without missing a beat,” he said.

Some council members said because of Lipscomb, Memphis is in the running again for receiving another Hope VI grant, a grant they said would help many people living in public housing.