Central Avenue will be getting a facelift thanks to a $3 millionbudget approved June 3, by the Memphis City Council.
Councilman John Vergos originally opposed funding for therenovation project because his constituents are worried that TheUniversity of Memphis will develop between Central and PoplarAvenue.
Neighborhood residents want assurance that The University won'tdevelop between Central and Poplar Avenue, said Vergos at the June3 meeting.
University officials reached an agreement with the neighborhoodassociations that are affected.
After Vergos learned that the area residents and The U of M hadreached a provisional agreement he approved funding for the CentralAvenue Project.
The U of M has had a long history of "half-baked" plans, saidVergos.
According to the councilman, "at one time Poplar had wonderfulhomes, but The University of Memphis bought them, leveled them, andbuilt a parking lot."
"I am still no fan of the (budget) approval," said Vergos.
"I just can't imagine that the state has enough money to lower astreet when the state is losing faculty and staff to budget cuts,"he said.
Student safety concerns are one argument The U of M cited tohave the funding approved.
Students have been seriously injured or killed while crossingCentral Avenue to the central parking lot of The University, saidassistant vice president of campus planning and development PhillipPoteet.
Councilman Vergos has a different opinion.
"I think (the safety issues) are false arguments, and not tosound callous, you just can't protect students who choose tojaywalk," Vergos said.
The University's remodeling of Central Avenue will includelowering Central Avenue and fencing along the central parking lot,according to Poteet. This will encourage students to walk to thepedestrian walkway.
Vergos sites historical reasons for his opposition to universityexpansion. He concedes "Dr. (Shirley) Raines understands theneighbors' concerns," and has done more than previousadministrations "to allay those fears," said Vergos.
"If this is going to work this will take everyone'scooperation," from the campus and Memphis community, saidPoteet.
