"MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN SOUTH CITY"
- DEBORAH WATERS TURNER, DIRECTOR
South City is located directly southeast of the city’s Central Business District. The general boundaries of the neighborhood are Front Street on the west, Crump Blvd. and the Railroad ROW on the south, Walnut on the east and Union Avenue on the north. South City is best known for its significant African American culture and history and is also the location of the former Foote Homes public housing development.
Once a thriving mixed-income community, long-term disinvestment has resulted in an abundance of blighted properties and vacant land. Characterized by substandard housing, high unemployment and limited access to neighborhood amenities, South City is one of the poorest areas in the Memphis. However, South City has several strengths, including its rich history and culture, recent housing and commercial developments, the availability of land and its proximity to the South Main Historic District, downtown and the Medical District. In an effort to rebuild this community, the Memphis Housing Authority and the City of Memphis have partnered with McCormack Baron Salazar, ComCap Partners and Urban Strategies to implement the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) funded and administered by HUD. The vision for South City is to create a community that is vibrant and sustainable with neighborhood amenities including good schools, health resources, healthy food options, quality housing and economic development opportunities.
Shelby County Schools partnered with Urban Strategies and Memphis Housing Authority to design a Family Resource Center housed in Booker T. Washington Middle & High School and also LaRose Elementary School providing the platform to eventually become a Community School. The Resource Center’s purpose is to serve educational training needs, youth development, family and parental support, provide various workshops, promote financial literacy, and provide health services. With the help of community partners and stakeholders, South City Community Resource Center is here to provide assistance to the former Foote Homes residents and the South City community by offering resources such as training, service referrals, and civic information that will allow them succeed in life while obtaining aptitudes and personal goals.
Once a thriving mixed-income community, long-term disinvestment has resulted in an abundance of blighted properties and vacant land. Characterized by substandard housing, high unemployment and limited access to neighborhood amenities, South City is one of the poorest areas in the Memphis. However, South City has several strengths, including its rich history and culture, recent housing and commercial developments, the availability of land and its proximity to the South Main Historic District, downtown and the Medical District. In an effort to rebuild this community, the Memphis Housing Authority and the City of Memphis have partnered with McCormack Baron Salazar, ComCap Partners and Urban Strategies to implement the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) funded and administered by HUD. The vision for South City is to create a community that is vibrant and sustainable with neighborhood amenities including good schools, health resources, healthy food options, quality housing and economic development opportunities.
Shelby County Schools partnered with Urban Strategies and Memphis Housing Authority to design a Family Resource Center housed in Booker T. Washington Middle & High School and also LaRose Elementary School providing the platform to eventually become a Community School. The Resource Center’s purpose is to serve educational training needs, youth development, family and parental support, provide various workshops, promote financial literacy, and provide health services. With the help of community partners and stakeholders, South City Community Resource Center is here to provide assistance to the former Foote Homes residents and the South City community by offering resources such as training, service referrals, and civic information that will allow them succeed in life while obtaining aptitudes and personal goals.