MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nearly $30 million in federal money will help transform part of downtown Memphis and rebuild the city’s last remaining traditional housing project.
Memphis is one of just five cities to have received money from President Barack Obama’s Choice Neighborhood program.
As part of the plan, the city will raze 420 distressed public housing units in Foote Homes and replace them with 712 senior and family apartments throughout the South City neighborhood.
The project will also include community space, a fitness center, pocket parks and a welcoming green space, the city said.
People who live in Foote Homes said they like what the city did to Cleaborn Homes, now Cleaborn Point at Heritage Landing, just across the street and said it’s time for Foote Homes to go.
“The new Cleaborn Point is very upscale,” Tierra Bell said. “You barely see anybody out, security is always around and the little kids are out playing safely unlike over here.”
Foote Homes residents don’t know what it will mean for them in the meantime but said a change is better.
“Yeah, this is the last housing project, so kudos AC Wharton. Finally,” Bell said.
Rep. Steve Cohen also helped secure the federal funding.
Nationwide, HUD is giving away $150 million in Choice Neighborhood grant money.