The nonprofit behind a controversial proposed biomass campus in north Memphis has reportedly axed the sawmill project.
The proposal was scheduled for a vote in Memphis City Council on Tuesday. As far as items on the docket were concerned, it was a particularly frequent topic of discussion before the upcoming meeting.
Memphis Urban Wood promised to turn a blighted property in North Memphis into a facility that would upcycle lumber into other useful products, creating around 10 new jobs.
Still, neighbors and some city councilmembers were concerned about potential health issues the plant could cause.
Roshun Austin — CEO of The Works (who oversees Memphis Urban Wood) — released a statement saying they are looking at other ways to move forward, and that they are hopeful they can "find a solution that makes sense for the whole community."