With the help of local businesses, neighborhoods and The University of Memphis, one organization plans to transform the areas surrounding The U of M campus into a safe, exciting center for commerce.
The University Neighborhood Development Corporation, an 11-member group of businessmen and alumni, has worked to create a new, more attractive atmosphere in The University area since 2004.
Brent Alvord, president of UNDC and a U of M graduate, said the organization was founded to make The University area a great destination zone for people to live, work and play.
"The UNDC wanted to help promote development in the entire U of M area and to really increase the cool factor in that area," Alvord said.
The group's plans include the construction and development of Highland Row, a space of over 113,000 square feet of retail stores, with more than 230 residences located on the three upper levels and a parking garage, which will be shielded from the neighborhood by 30 townhouses. The University Bookstore will also be relocated to the shopping center at Highland and Midland, the former site of Highland Street Church of Christ.
"I'm not at liberty to say (what retail stores will be in Highland Row), but you're gonna be happy," said David Cox, executive assistant to the president at The U of M and UNDC secretary.
The Highland Row project is being developed by Poag and McEwen Lifestyle Centers, the same corporation that developed the Shops at Saddle Creek in Germantown.
According to Josh Poag, president and CEO of Poag and McEwen Lifestyle Centers, construction of Highland Row is scheduled to begin in "late spring or early summer."
"We hope to bring a lot of vibrancy and a good commercial development so it will give a place for students, alumni and parents of students a place to congregate," Poag said. "And ultimately we hope to tie The University to the community and vice versa."
The original plan was to begin the project in 2008, but the economy made it extremely difficult to get financing, Poag said.
Alvord said the organization is currently working on redeveloping Walker Avenue, then migrating to Highland.
"We are looking to redo parking, plant trees and build sidewalks to get The University to connect a little better to commerce," Alvord said. "We are also putting (recycle bins) on Highland Avenue and working on transportation projects."
Alvord said the UNDC also focuses on providing residential housing to the area. One of these residential projects includes the Laurels condominiums located at Central and Highland, which were constructed last year. Alvord said the project went through the UNDC board, and they were instrumental in getting the overlay and master plan approved by the Memphis City Council.
Cox said the UNDC partnered with neighborhoods near campus and a number of other organizations to create a master plan for the development of the Highland area. The plan consists of how buildings and land will be used during planned projects.
As far as the safety factor, Cox said people are safer when living in an area with a lot of activity, which he thinks Highland Row will help generate.
"We just want to continue to make this University area a place where people want to come, where they want to spend their time and where they can learn and be safe," he said.
