Judge Spares Aretha Franklin House From Demolition - For Now

A judge has seen enough progress on the dilapidated home where singer Aretha Franklin was born to keep it from being demolished.

News outlets report that Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter on Thursday gave the current homeowner three weeks to present a financial plan to make final repairs to the Memphis house.

The homeowner, Vera House, says her plan doesn’t require the house to be relocated as did an alternate plan from the court-appointed receiver. House says she thinks she can get the financing in place on time. The receiver, meanwhile, says Franklin has indicated she’ll make a contribution.

Photo: AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster

"International Jazz Day," South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C.

Franklin was born in the cottage in 1942. On June 7, Potter put the home into city receivership, with an order to “abate nuisance through demolition.”