A Creek Runs Through It

The Vance neighborhood, located in the southern portion of Downtown Memphis has experienced a downward spiral populationally, economically, and ecologically. According to the Census, the two tracts that the neighborhood falls within declined by 70% from a population of 23,264 in 1940 to a population of 6,910 in 2010.

When looking at what we consider the vital statistics of a neighborhood, the Vance Area is a prime target for urban revitalization. The typical urban renewal/revitalization project treats humans as objects within a project, hence, the term “The Projects.” The typical prescriptions prescribed to these areas involve demolition and reconstruction, which is known to result in the sociocultural, economical, and physical displacement of residents of the ailing neighborhood. This fraudulent and manipulative method of revitalizing neighborhoods has never worked for the “objects” in the project. What it has done in many cases was increase the city’s tax revenue. This increase in tax revenue has been the main goal and will always be the main goal of any municipality.

In the Vance neighborhood, many of the parcels are publicly owned. This means that taxes aren’t being paid for most of the neighborhood. If the city wants to increase their tax base and the neighborhood’s residents wish to increase their quality of life, what is a possible solution that will serve the needs of both the city and the neighborhood? Bingo! A creek runs through it.

This article attempts to evaluate the possibility of restoring a creek that passes through the heart of the neighborhood. What’s amazing is that this creek connects Brown Park, located in the southeast corner of the neighborhood and Robert Church Park, located at the northwestern corner of the neighborhood. Robert Church Park is also an underutilized historical venue. The creek can end at the southern tip of Robert Church Park where a pond can be located. The pond will provide a host of recreational and relaxational options for citizens and tourists. Especially since Beale Street is a stone’s throw away.

The creek, for the most part, passes through publicly owned property; therefore the need to purchase property through eminent domain is negligent. There are two religious institutions where the creek runs through their parking lots. There are also two private residential parcels that currently have no structures on them. More than 90% of the parcel area the creek runs through is publicly owned.

The need to demolish buildings will also be unnecessary because Cleaborn Homes has already been demolished. It seems inevitable that Foote Homes will also be demolished. If it weren’t demolished, only one of the many buildings within Foote Homes would need to make room for the creek.

The benefits associated with the restoration of a creek supersede those of the typical cookie cutter pseudo-“New Urbanism” structures that are normally built in neighborhoods that have been recipients of Hope VI grants. These include, groundwater recharge, flood prevention, recreational opportunities, health, beautification, and increased property values. Although the scale is small when compared to the entire city, the creek can minimize the wear and tear on our storm water system. On a much larger scale, the creek alone can revitalize the downtown area and send a message to the entire city on how to revitalize the City of Memphis as a whole.

The maintenance of the creek will be minimal therefore achieving environmental sustainability as well as economic sustainability. Church Park and Brown Park will be connected and rebranded as a regional park instead of a neighborhood park.

The benefits associated with the restoration of the creek far outweigh the costs and can revitalize the city in a major way.

Sources:

Shelby County Assessor Data 2010