Tiger Lane or Tiger Lame?

Controversy is circling whether Tiger Lane is a waste of taxpayer’s money or will it be a viable investment for the City of Memphis. Currently, the $15 million eight acre linear greenway is the “front porch” of the Liberty Bowl near the MidSouth Fairgrounds. As a whole the perception is that this newly constructed green space will not only enhance the game experience for fans but it will also be a great gathering place. Partnering with the Kroc Center’s efforts to redevelop the Fairgrounds, the entire seventy-eight acre area will be equipped with basketball courts, a skate park, a water park, a theater and a fitness center. However, many residents think that it is futile that a patch of grass will bring economic prosperity to an area that has long lost its identity. With the closing of Liberty Land in 2006 and the Mid South Fair leaving in 2008 for Tunica, this area has been a dead spot for most. Frightened of crime, many are despondent of its location. And to compound the issue many residents are resentful of the fact that it has been suggested that Tiger Lane will help U of M’s football team gain a BCS invitation, as if the phrase “if you build it; they will come” is true.

Despite that these are high boasts that elected officials have likened Tiger Lane to Grant Park in Chicago and are hoping for it to be as rewarding as the Grove at Ole Miss, I do believe that Tiger Lane and the surrounding area can be revitalized. Although it would be helpful if the U of M had a winning football team. The start of this civic project has the basic ingredients to attract future developers to the area. Plus, it has been reported that open green space has important lifestyle benefits such as better atmospheres for learning; enhancing health and self-esteem, reducing stress and creating safer neighborhoods.

The kickoff of the adaptive reuse of the Liberty Bowl’s open green space at the Southern Heritage Classic was just the beginning of Memphis taking advantage of the tangible benefits of green space and appreciating the opportunity to improve the quality of life in an urbanized area. While many residents have expressed their discontent of Tiger Lanes’ development; I think that Memphis is headed in the right direction that will put us among those cities that are creating healthier and more sustainable communities.

What is lame about this situation is that those who complain need not focus on the fact that U of M’s football team is doing poorly or that the location of these civic redevelopment projects are supposedly not ideal; but of what is important; which is that Memphis is renowned for being one of the most unhealthy cities in America. As a community we should do everything we can to discourage sedentary lifestyles. By increasing the city’s amount of open green space, the City of Memphis is finally addressing a public health issue that can long be neglected. Although tailgating does not ring out as the top of the list for healthy outings it is still a great complement for the surrounding area of the Fairgrounds that seems to be a very promising gathering place for families to enjoy physical activities in the future.