Growth and Development

​Good afternoon good people!! I have great and exciting news!!

​Have you all heard about the $5 million grant awarded to Memphis by Reimagining the Civic Commons?? The grant is for the redevelopment of Memphis' Fourth Bluff Project. Apparently four blocks of property in Downtown Memphis that include Cossit Library, Memphis Park, and Mississippi Park will be getting a serious make over. According to the Commercial Appeal the prototype events along the fourth bluff began last fall with a Tiger Tailgate event at the law school and a pop-up Hattiloo Theatre performance at Cossitt. Some of the preliminary ideas for the area include a grilling station, a playground, other outdoor recreations at Mississippi River Park, reading gardens, a café, public art, outdoor furniture, music, food, and games.

 The ultimate plan for this project is to take on the civic infrastructure that is “underfunded and underused” to create an environment that bridges the residents of the Memphis community together. Displaying an atmosphere for them to come together to experience new things and culture.

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But the bluff isn’t the only area looking to bring new additions and renovations to the City of Memphis. The University District- Highland Row, also referred to as the TIF District, is hoping to continue development along Highland Avenue.  If approved by the State the district would include 601 tax parcels (a division of land developed for the sole purpose of creating a complete, accurate, and equitable unit of taxation in support of tax payers) on or near highland.  Supplying The Tiff District with 83.4 million over 20 years,  with 22.8 percent of that being reinvested in the district by Economic Development Growth Engine, and the rest going to the city and county. Mayor Strickland and University of Memphis President David Rudd attended City Council meeting on Tuesday in support of  the University District proposal.

​Looks like Memphis is trying to regain it's spot as a major southern city and ready to compete with the evolution of time! Hopefully there is more areas of redevelopment to come and we can get some of our high poverty areas equipped with much needed funding.