By Erica R. Williams, Special to The New Tri-State Defender
“Do the right thing.”
That’s what Lucille Catron, executive director of the Beale Street Development Corporation (BSDC), said she’s asking of Mayor Jim Strickland.
In a meeting on Monday, Catron and her attorney met with the mayor asking for two things: inclusion of the African-American community in making pivotal decisions that affect the city and to honor the master lease she said the BSDC should still have over Beale Street.
“All of the leases of the buildings are under our umbrella,” Catron explained. “There would be no FedExForum or Hard Rock Café if it wasn’t for the Beale Street Development Corporation signing off on them.”
In the 1970’s, Catron’s husband, Randal Catron, was part of a group of African Americans who formed the BSDC, securing $23 million in funding along with the federal rights over the notable entertainment district for 52 years.
Randal Catron died in 2015. City officials allege that shortly before his death, he signed over his rights to the master lease during a settlement agreement. That’s when the city formed the Beale Street Tourism Authority Board to take control; but last month the board was abolished after Memphis City Council members voted for its elimination.
Now Catron and her team are fighting for what they say is theirs: the rights to the master lease of Beale Street.
Tuesday, a judge ruled that there was a 2015 settlement agreement signed by both parties, leaving the city with the rights to the master lease; but Catron believes that her husband’s signature was forged. That’s why she’s suing the city for breaching the master lease. The case is currently in litigation.
“He was on his dying bed and in no position to sign anything. If he did, then where are the assignment papers?” she asked, referring to the documents that show proof of the handing over of contractual rights or responsibilities. To date, those documents have not been presented. Without them, Catron said the city’s claim is null and void.
“It’s a shame that the city is forcing us to litigate,” Larry Parrish, the BSDC’s attorney said. “Beale Street Development Corporation’s greatest desire is that all of the disputing between them and the city be settled immediately so that the business of Beale Street can go on without the cloud of litigation.”
Despite the BSDC’s objections, a representative from Mayor Strickland’s office said the mayor plans to hire a new management firm for Beale Street within the next 60 days. Catron continues to dispute that authority.
“We are in court to prove that the BSDC still has the power to hire the next manager.”
She has connected with members of the management firm 21Beale. The company consisting of attorneys, real estate executives and a nightclub owner, was formed to bid on the management of the entertainment district. The bidding process lasted for more than a year, with 21 Beale beating out the competition. It ended in October after the Tourism Development Authority voted to terminate the process. Dwayne Kyles of 21 Beale cites race as a factor in that decision.
“What has happened on Beale is an implication of what is wrong with Memphis,” Kyles claimed. “You have a small group of people who can affect the decision of an entire city while disregarding others.”
Catron and Kyles are calling on the mayor to stand behind his proposed initiatives to support minority-owned businesses in the city.
“The mayor has been very vocal about his commitment in supporting black-owned businesses. This is his opportunity to practice what he’s been preaching,” Kyles said. “He has signature power.”
The New Tri-State Defender reached out to representatives from the mayor’s office, who issued this statement: “Mayor Strickland has shown through words and actions that he is serious about finding opportunities for minority-owned businesses. The city has increased its spending with minority-owned businesses by 30 percent within the past year.”
Catron said there is more to be done.
“The mayor has the power to create change and stop the litigation with just a stroke of a pen.”
Both she and Kyles said the issues are bigger than the case between the BSDC and the city, acknowledging that the fight is far from over. Catron and her team plan to move forward with the lawsuit to re-obtain the rights to the master lease of Beale; and Kyles and his counterparts are still hoping to be the firm chosen to manage the street.
“We hope to present a living, breathing example of how it is you should fight for change,” Kyles said. “We aren’t going anywhere. Beale Street is our legacy.”
