An update on mediation and costs
Yesterday’s City Council action does nothing to affect Overton Park Conservancy’s commitment to finding parking and traffic solutions for the park. If anything, it underscored the value of the mediation process, which is being informed by the participation of the community and park partners in the Transportation and Parking Report. That input is invaluable in mediation, where we are advocating for solutions that respect the historic design of the park and protect it from further encroachment.
While we signed a confidentiality agreement that prevents us from speaking to specific items being discussed, we are committed to continuing to bring a high level of care and maintenance to the park. Over the past four years, the Conservancy has raised and invested $6 million into capital and operating improvements for this high-quality, free resource available to all Memphians. We think the results of this investment are evident, and we will continue working hard to make Overton Park the excellent community gathering place that it is today.
What we can tell you is that this process is expensive. To date, we’ve incurred $12,000 in fees for mediation, and another $25,000 for legal representation. Those costs will only increase. That’s on top of the $75,000 we spent to commission the Transportation and Parking Report. When we set our annual budget in fall 2015, none of these costs were anticipated. Our original 2016 budget of $805,000 has climbed by 14% (and counting).
We need your support. The only way to offset these costs is with a direct gift to the Conservancy, either online, by mailing us a check, or at an official Conservancy fundraiser. We’d like to thank Kathy & Kelly Fish, who generously hosted the only event this year (March’s Cocktails for a Cause) that has raised funds for our legal fees. We depend on your gifts to help us not only as we work to solve this issue, but as we work to maintain high standards elsewhere in the park. Thank you for your patience, your feedback, and your love for the park.
