MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The old Sears building renovations in Crosstown might be far from done, but the push to revitalize the area is moving full steam ahead.
Companies and people in the area are working hard to make sure it becomes the bustling neighborhood it once was.
“Crosstown is extremely important to the future of Memphis,” said one neighbor.
Crosstown, nestled between downtown and midtown, revolves around the massive old Sears building.
It will be the Crosstown Concourse, offering healthcare, art, shopping and eating.
The project won’t be done for a few years but the neighborhood is already improving.
“Operation Crosstown is one of our programs which is focused on making the crosstown neighborhood safer, healthier and more livable said Dylan Sandifer.
Sandifer works for the Church Health Center, which will be in the redeveloped Crosstown building.
She said it’s important to bring resources to an area that’s basically been ignored the last 20 years.
On Tuesday Sandifer and several business owners in town making plans for a mural on the side of a restaurant.
“Art is important because it helps the community grow, it’s a form of expression and it’s a key part of this area,” said Octavia Young, who owns the Midtown Crossing Grille.
They’re not just bringing in art, a bike repair station was added and there’s plans to bring outdoor fitness equipment next month to offer options for the neighborhood’s diverse population.
“Crosstown is a melting pot. You can find any age, any race, everything about Memphis is in Crosstown,” said Cassie Conyers, another downtown business owner.
Liz Daggert lives near the renovations.
Every day she hears the hammers hard at work.
“It’s worth it. All the noise is worth it because it’s going to be really exciting,” she explained.
The ultimate goal is to bring visibility, better transportation and healthcare, making crosstown as vibrant as it once was.
“Crosstown is now becoming what it was in the 60s, 70s and 80s,” said Conyers.
On June 27 there will be a neighborhood block party to showoff the mural and fitness equipment.