Top 10 Things You Need to Know!

Tchulahoma Road
Soon there will be a new gated community near Memphis’ International Airport. Located between 4503 and 4563 Tchulahoma Road the 6 acres of the area will have about 25 homes selling for $170,000. The hope is to bring new life and attention to an area where most of the homes were built in the 1950s. 


Explore Bikes
I’m sure you’ve seen all the explore bikes stationed around downtown almost on every block! Well, soon there will be even more bikes in other locations. This fall 60 new bikes will be placed at The University of Memphis and in surrounding areas. The university received a $580,000 grant from congestion mitigation and air quality for the expansion. 


Museum Lofts
A four-story, 68-unit apartment building will be replacing a long-time vacant building next to the Lorraine Motel. 138 Huling Ave will soon be demolished (if not started already) and replaced with 580-square foot micro units, 830-square-foot studios, 10 two-bedroom units that will be at least 1,200 square feet with large windows that open into the courtyard, 3,300 square foot courtyard, secure parking below the building and a fitness center. For more details and photos click on the Memphis Business Journal link below. 


Lifestyle Hub
64 S. Main Street will soon be a lifestyle hub. Local businessman Gabriel Velasquez was recently approved for a 15-year PILOT incentive and will be turning the vacant building into a space geared toward helping you pursue a healthier lifestyle and all-around better life. Each floor will be different with some of the options being a boutique, fitness and wellness center with personal training and group classes, meal-prep services, and healthier eating options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There will also be retail space for small pop-up shops for local businesses and a co-working space for business owners to focus or hold meetings, in addition to permanent office space for interested parties. Eventually, Velasquez also wants the lifestyle hub to have a high-end, intimate restaurant. Velasquez will be hiring local artists to paint murals and design custom light fixtures. No information on how that selection process will take place.
 

MATA
On the last things you need to know I informed you all that MATA would be adding 10 new electric buses and a new route to help our public transportation system be more reliable. Well, now a new transportation fee may be headed our way.  As the city works on making public transportation more reliable, they are also looking for ways to fund these necessary changes. This transportation utility fee is “something charged to property owners or users based on the estimated amount of vehicle trips their property generates” according to the Memphis Business Journal reporter Samuel Hardiman. Change is good and imperative for Memphis to grow, so we must remember that most times it comes with a price. Hopefully, while the city is considering fees to fund projects, they are also considering our pockets and increasing working wages.
 

SkyCops
The SkyCops surveillance cameras have been a big thing in recent years so much that more and more neighborhoods are wanting them installed. It has been said that some neighborhoods are donating cameras to other areas, Belle Meade being the first to do so in 2016. Now the Castalia Apartments and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis want to donate two cameras (totaling $24,760), Fairfield Circle residents would like to donate one camera ($5,980), Kellogg's is planning to donate two cameras ($9,410) and Loeb Properties plans to donate two cameras for ErinWay Shopping Center ($13,540). I found it interesting that all donated cameras have to be approved by city council.
 

Downtown Dining Week
Tomorrow starts DOWNTOWN DINING WEEK!!!! From November 5th- 11th participating restaurants will have special menus with lunch and dinner specials. Restaurants will have 3-course meals for 20.18 and two for one lunches for 10.18! There are also available parking garage discounts for guest to utilize! This event features restaurants such as 117 Prime, Aldos, Automatic Slims, Evelyn&Olive, Felicia Suzanne’s, Rizzo's, The Majestic Grille, Cupcake Cuties for your sweet tooth, and MUCH more!! There are a total of 49 restaurants so allow this week to be your cheat week, loosen your belt buckle and dig in! Visit http://www.downtowndiningweek.com the full restaurant list and more information about the week.
 
 
Bicentennial
Memphis’ bicentennial celebration is racking in funds.  Memphis and Shelby County may be helping to fund the project by giving $600,000 and Shelby County Commission moved forward with a $300,000 contribution. Bicentennial planners are also seeking $1.4 million in private funds for activities. This will be a yearlong celebration and a few of the activities have already been planned. May 22nd will be the kickoff event, May 25th will be a celebrate Memphis day dedicated to showcasing new and old Memphis musical talent, and November 24th will be the closing event. Full details of the events have yet to be made public.

 
City Gear
First of all, I’m late because I did not know that City Gear was a Memphis based company but that makes a lot of sense. City Gear was acquired by Hibbett Sports which is Birmingham-based for $88 million. City Gear has 135 stores in 15 states will operate as a subsidiary of Hibbett and the senior management of City Gear will continue to lead the company out of its Memphis headquarters. The two companies are hoping that the acquisition will lead to growth financially for both and help the companies reach a new customer base.   


November 6th
I saved the most important for last. Early voting ended last Thursday, and Tuesday, November 6th is the absolute last day to allow your voice to be heard!  These last few years have shown us exactly why voting and being informed is important. We cannot continue to allow individuals who don’t consider us as human beings to make decisions that affect our every day. We have people in positions of power who are creating hostile environments allowing ignorance to have a place in society and it is time to bring an end to it. We must let elected officials know who put them in these positions and who really has the power. Don’t let fear or a lack of knowledge hinder you from exercising your right to vote. No more acting like we don’t care, or things don’t affect us because they do. Your life can end up a news story just like anyone else. We have rights for a reason, apply and know them! Links below can tell you who will be on your ballot as well give you some data on the election. If you Google "Where do I vote in Memphis, TN"
there will be a search bar for you to enter your address, once entered click the magnifying glass icon for it to generate the search and your voting locations will be listed. 
. Also, if you’ve seen these campaign ads, they really tell you all you need to know about some of these candidates. Happy voting, polls open at 7:00 am and if you need a ride call 901-570-0307!
www.ballotready.org/v/positions/46229
​www.whenweallvote.org
www.commercialappeal.com/data/elections/2018/outlook/senate/