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Residents flood commission with objections to New Chicago as potential jail site
Summary
Dozens of residents spoke at committee hearings urging the commission to remove New Chicago (Firestone site) from consideration for a new county jail, citing soil contamination, proximity to schools, racial equity and economic harms; speakers pressed for a publicly transparent selection process and environmental studies.
During the law enforcement committee’s extended discussion of a master plan for the county jail, more than a dozen residents rose to urge removal of New Chicago/Firestone from the county’s list of possible sites. Speakers, many identifying themselves as members of North Memphis community organizations, described the neighborhood as historic and raised concerns about contaminated soil, standing water on parts of the property and proximity to schools. Several referenced the county’s own assessment as noting ‘‘unknowns’’ about site development and environmental remediation.
Clerk Tammy Sawyer and community leaders asked for broader community engagement and objected to any private‑first approach to site selection. Commissioners and staff said they heard the comments and that the October referral would be used to expand stakeholder engagement and clarify procurement steps.
