Council approves $820,000 sale of 2685 Plant Road as residents press for scrutiny of XAI and water reuse plan

The Memphis City Council on Feb. 18 approved a resolution to sell a portion of city-owned property at 2685 Plant Road for $820,000, prompting multiple residents to urge closer scrutiny of a proposed gray-water reuse project tied to an XAI facility in South Memphis.

The resolution, sponsored by the administration and approved with same-night minutes, covers parcel ID 05010100054 in District 6, Super District 8. The motion to approve was moved by Councilman Martavius Smiley and seconded by Councilwoman Aisha Thomas. The council recorded unanimous support and the item passed on the council voting screen.

Supporters and opponents said the site sale could enable a water reuse facility that advocates have sought, but many residents warned the sale and related approvals are moving too quickly and lack transparency. "XAI has come here to Memphis not having held a single town hall with residents," said Richard Massey, identifying his address during public comment. Massey told the council he was concerned about gas turbine emissions and cited broader corporate conduct issues he associates with Elon Musk and related projects.

Pamela Moses told the council she had checked with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and said, "Elon Musk and his team at XAI have not applied for any permits through the state," urging council members to "resist the urge to rush the process." Joan Harp and Glenda Hicks also criticized the timing and transparency of the proposal and urged more public engagement before final commitments.

Sarah Houston, executive director of Protect Our Aquifer, said her group has supported a gray-water reuse facility since 2017 and welcomed protections added to the sale agreement, including a reversion clause. Houston warned that Tennessee Valley Authority uses large volumes of aquifer water and said the council and utilities must set clear water-quality expectations and enforcement if the city sells reclaimed water or allows access to wastewater effluent. "We need to decide what our water quality expectations are," Houston said, adding that a pending TDEC permit must be reviewed for community protections.

Council members said the sale includes provisions staff described during the meeting; the resolution was presented with amendments and an associated reversion clause that proponents said gives the city leverage to enforce construction and operational terms within the coming year. Councilman Carlisle moved the previous question during discussion to proceed to a vote.

The council recorded the vote as follows: Carlisle — yes; Easter Thomas — yes; Ford — yes; Green — yes; Logan — yes; Smiley — yes; Espinosa — yes; Swearingen Washington — yes; Walker — yes; Warren — yes; White — yes; Chairman Canali — yes. The item passed.

The sale now allows the administration to move forward with closing under the terms approved by the council; the transcript indicates further steps remain between the city, XAI (the private entity discussed by speakers), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Memphis Public Works regarding wastewater access, water-quality terms and any necessary permits.

Public commenters asked the council to delay further approvals until XAI or its representatives hold public meetings, clarify permit status with TDEC, and supply technical details about gas-turbine emissions and water use. The council did not announce additional hearings during the Feb. 18 meeting; follow-up steps identified by advocates include TDEC permitting and a negotiated agreement between the company and Public Works for access to wastewater effluent.

Votes on this resolution and related same-night minute approvals were recorded during the Feb. 18 meeting.