Top 20 Things You Need to Know! Pt. 1 (1-10)

Hey loves! I've been gone for a while but I've missed letting you all know what's going on in the city so I'm back! Some of these things you may already know but if not I'm still of use to you.

Curry n Jerk
Did you all know there was a new Caribbean style restaurant downtown?? When I found out I was too excited! I loved my trip to Jamaica so anything that can remind me of drinking Blue Hawaiians on the beach and eating jerk chicken is a win! Curry n Jerk opened on June 15, 2018, at 126 Monroe Ave. Focusing on Jamaican and Panamanian family dishes Curry n Jerk was opened in honor of the owner's mother Sharon Rose B. They occasionally have live music and karaoke on Friday and Saturday in the downstairs lounge from 11 p.m -2 a.m. You may also experience a Jazz dinner menu on Friday and Saturday as well as happy hour 4-7 Mon-Thur(Full-service bar). 


Poplar Corridor
Back in June, the Commercial Appeal stated that a group of Memphis investors presented a plan to reinvest $42 million of property taxes back into the Poplar Corridor district. The plan was approved in July and I'm sure you've already seen some of the construction. Poplar Corridor is a 600-acre district consisting of Yates westbound, Park on the south, Kirby on the east and Shady Grove north. This is a 20-year TIF (Tax-Increment Financing ) could possibly add 7,000 permanent jobs and grow local taxes.
Below is a breakdown of what some of the funding will be used for:  
10.6 million will be spent on traffic signals on poles instead of dangling from wires, $9.3 million on road improvements, $9.2 million on street light improvements, $5.1 million to improve streetscapes and pedestrian walkways, $4.8 million on gateways and street signs, and $3.2 million to move utility poles back from the streets and increase the spacing between them. The hope is to make this district a magnet for investments that would benefit all of Memphis.


South City
The city of Memphis may be buying Georgia Avenue Elementary and Martin Luther King Jr. Student Transition Academy to be a part of a $200 million South City redevelopment project in downtown. The ideas for what the buildings may be becoming are a small business incubator, a grocery store, farmers market, and temporary housing and services for refugees. Also, a literacy and technology initiative, wraparound social services, a restaurant, and a fitness facility. The option for the city to purchase the schools expires in February. The redevelopment could be a part of the of the initiative started by the redevelopment of the old Foote Homes housing project.  


Pocket Neighborhoods
A Memphis developer named Andre Jones is planning to build a neighborhood of tiny and small homes located on the block southeast of Main Street's intersection with Saffarans Avenue. The neighborhood will include 22 residences, ranging from 360 to 1,120 square feet in size and priced from $600 to $1,350 per month. The developer is hoping these homes will merge the gap between the single family home and the uptown flats.


Recess
In April 70 Flicker Street became a new adult playground. Ropes, monkey bars, swings, an outdoor field, equipment, strength training, soft mat space, and more now makeup Recess. Recess is a workout and health facility that focuses on fun, creating a healthier lifestyle, and helping you achieve your desired level of fitness. Created by Brooks Meadows recess offers classes, personal training, and physical therapy. Educators receive a 20% discount and adult membership begins at $99 a month. They offer a $30 intro week that starts on your first visit and one day $15 passes. You are required to sign a waiver that is available on the website. Minors must be signed for by a parent or legal guardian. www.recess901.com


Overton Square
A $24 million hotel is being proposed for Overton Square by Loeb Properties. The 109 room hotel has a scheduled start date of November 2018 and hopes of being opened by early 2020. Possibly being called "The Memphian" the hotel will be a much-needed addition to the area. Check out the Memphis Business Journal for pics on more information on the hotel.   
https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2018/08/07/new-details-revealed-for-overton-square-hotel.html


Peabody Flats
A plan has been submitted to construct a high-end apartment complex called the Peabody Flats at the corner of Peabody Avenue and Waldran Boulevard. The 20 unit complex will be gated, have an elevator, covered parking, and rent starting at $1,000. The developers are hoping that the construction plan for the complex is approved at the proposed height listed in the plan if so the building will be taller than the property's zoning normally allows. 


MATA
A $20 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation will be spent on aiding MATA in becoming a reliable public transportation option for Memphis residents. 13.9 million will be spent on 10 electric buses and establishing the electric charging stations, the other $6 million will be spent on the new route that will service the Memphis International Airport and southeast Memphis area. No projected start date for the project
as of now.


The Artery: Stereo to Escape
The DMC (Downtown Memphis Commission) has been seeking artists to be apart of a new project to improve Maggie H. Isabel Street and Rendezvous alley. Over the next four months, there will be repaving, added string lighting, and art installations. There was an application process to be considered and an interested artist had to apply by October 8th, which was yesterday. By December the DMC will make its selections and the installation will begin soon after with a projected wrap-up being before mid-April of 2019. See link for full details on the project. 
http://www.downtownmemphis.com/theartery/ 


Central BBQ
This one is bittersweet. The Lyfe Kitchen on Poplar is now closed, well both Lyfe Kitchens are now closed but at least the building on Poplar has a new tenant. 6201 Poplar Avenue is now home Central BBQ! The restaurant opened its latest location in August of this year.