Judge spares Aretha Franklin house from demolition - for now

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A judge has seen enough progress on the dilapidated home where singer Aretha Franklin was born to keep it from being demolished – for now.

News outlets report that Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter today 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.

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."