Judge Postpones Demolition Of Aretha Franklin’s Memphis home

The Commercial Appeal reports that Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter on Thursday told the person who’s responsible for the house to return to court on Aug. 11 to submit a timeline and economic proposals to save the home.

Potter cited the city’s satisfaction that the property had been somewhat repaired and secured, the home’s importance in “the history of R&B in this city and this country,” and his own love for Franklin’s music when he announced his decision.

Franklin was born in the small cottage on March 25, 1942. On June 7, Potter put the home into city receivership, with an order to “abate nuisance through demolition.”