The University of Memphis and the UNDC planned out a project to redevelop the Highland area. The project stretches from Poplar and Highland to Park and Highland.
The University of Memphis is supporting an application by the University Neighborhoods Development Corporation that would improve the areas along the Highland Strip.
You can read the U of M proposal here:Â
“It’s kind of dodgy,†sophomore Maya Benson said. “As you go on the other side of Highland and Southern, things get sketchy.â€
The areas surrounding the university are full of empty lots and sidewalks that have fallen into disrepair. Some students agree the area would benefit from a facelift while others do not believe it’s decrepit or dangerous.
“It could definitely be better,†junior sports and leisure management major Stephen Rose said. “But they’re getting it where it needs to be.â€
UNDC proposes that the redevelopment would attract new businesses and industries, which would increase property value and economic activity. Increased property taxes from such activity would fund future improvements to the university area with the remainder of the taxes going to the city and county.
The Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County, also known as EDGE, is assisting UNDC with the Tax Increment Financing Assistance application, which is designed to retain funds from taxes and put it towards infrastructure.
EDGE held a public hearing on the application on Aug. 17. A public presentation was made to the Shelby County Commissioners Economic Development Committee on Aug. 25.
“This is an extremely important and wonderful step for the University of Memphis and the UNDC,†President David Rudd said in an e-mail to students and faculty.
TIF will provide for over $37 million to be invested into the university district neighborhood over the next two decades with none of the funds going to private property. They will allocate $21 million of the taxes to Highland Strip improvements with the remaining $15 million as new revenue for the city and county.
UNDC hopes that safety and infrastructure improvements will promote walkability and a sense of community as well as retain talent in Memphis.
Loeb Properties, the construction company currently working on the Highland Strip, supports TIF but is not sponsoring it.
“We’re excited about being good neighbors,†Ciara Neill, director of marketing at Loeb Properties, said. “[TIF] is a great way to make the area safer and retain students of the University of Memphis.â€
The district that TIF covers stretches from Park Avenue to Poplar Avenue along Highland Street.
Some new students do not see anything wrong with the area. “It seems pretty safe to me so far,†freshman Imani Sprating said. “I see police everywhere I go.â€
One goal of the Highland Street Project is to redevelop blighted areas. Highland Street suffered from blight with no sidewalks or crosswalks.
Graffiti and areas with no street lights may cause crime to pedestrians walking by. The UNDC planned to prevent blight and monitor the new properties.
Blighted buildings affected the Highland area for years. The university and the UNDC plans to stop this and make the neighborhood more attractive and safe.
Blighted lots are a problem for residents along Highland Street. The UNDC saw an opportunity to redevelop the lots and the rest of the area.
