Joe Chambers on “Fox and Friends”
Joe Chambers, founder of the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, was on Fox News’ Fox and Friends this morning (2/22) discussing the recent eminent domain ruling that caused the Museum to shut its doors to make way for a new Nashville convention center. See the video.
The museum closed on Saturday, February 13th after Judge Barbara Haynes ruled in favor of the Metro Development and Housing Authority (MDHA), ordering Chambers and company to be out of The Musicians Hall of Fame within seven days.
The museum represented a key piece of property that the MDHA needed in order to move forward with the construction of the Music City Center.
Although the museum’s new physical location is currently undecided, The Musicians Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Awards Show will take place once again in Nashville in the fall of 2010. Further details will be announced at a press conference in late spring.
Nashville has just witnessed one of the worst cases of injustice ever…that being the taking of the Musicians’ Hall of Fame and Museum by eminent domain. I recall a similar situation within the last couple of years that involved a group of investors planning to build a 4 or 5-star hotel and other retail businesses at the corner of Division and Demonbreun Streets. They were not allowed access to a small piece of property that was necessary to complete the project. Although the owner had been offered more than the appraised value and refused to sell, the MDHA would not allow her property to be taken by eminent domain.
What’s the difference??? The government (city) can do this but a private citizen cannot. Oh my goodness–what an injustice!!!! My prayers are with Joe Chambers.