Beale Street developer John Elkington and his company, Performa Entertainment, were the subject of a major news feature in the Birmingham (AL) News recently. Birmingham is planning to hire Elkington to develop an entertainment and retail district, so reporter Stan Diel takes a hard look at Elkington and his various projects around the country.
An excerpt: “Officials in communities where Performa Entertainment Real Estate CEO John Elkington has pitched projects call him a charlatan, a pioneer, a liar, and a visionary.
“Performa, the Memphis company that has struck a tentative deal to develop the area around the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, has a long history of commercial development that has made it both friends and enemies. The company’s plan could come to a vote before the BJCC board as soon as April 18.
“The controversy surrounding Performa begins, critics say, with the development of Memphis’ Beale Street, the crown jewel on Performa’s resume. …”