Messick / Buntyn Neighborhood Meetings
These Minutes / Notes from our last neighborhood meeting on 8. November 2007
Thanks to Teri Sullivan for compiling these meeting notes
During the last meeting we had two guests - Andrew Trippel, a graduate assistant at the Univ of Memphis in the School for Urban Affairs and Public Policy, and Steve Barlow, Exec Director of University Neighborhoods Development Corporation.
A few notes from our meeting:
Andrew Trippel reported on a mapping initiative he headed up with some teenage students in Messick Buntyn. The teens went around MB and noted the assets and needs for improvement.
Andy showed us a drawing that the teens did of Davis Community Center with suggested improvements. Andy is also heading up an oral history project in our neighborhood.
Andy also reported that in February, there will be a week-long seminar from CEPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) -- how elements of your property can deter crime (height of your bushes, lighting, etc). This seminar has room for 25-30 people and there will be 2 scholarships per neighborhood association. People certified from CEPTED can be called upon to visit people's homes and analyze the property.Then someone will show you what you could change and identify resources for you. If you're interested in going to this seminar, please contact Lisa Jorgensen, 323-0950, jorgensenlk@aol.com.
Finally, Andy talked about the University District Comprehensive Planning meetings. They've already held one. There will be three total. The second was held this past Tuesday at St Luke's United Methodist Church. The third will be Tuesday, Dec 11 at St Luke's. The meetings are designed to study the University District and offer solutions for improvements. The neighborhood residents around teh University are encouraged to offer feedback for redevelopment of the University District. I have a few notes from that second meeting last week if you want to know more.
The third planning meeting will be "A Taste of University District". This will be a food event and then a showing of the proposed plan to be given to developers. I'll be glad to pass along notice of this meeting when I receive it.
For more information about these projects, http://cas.memphis.edu/udi/, atrippel@memphis.edu or 849-4834
Steve Barlow is the Exec Director, University Neighborhood Development Corporation. Steve is available to help us in getting money from the city government and other sources for improvements to our neighborhood. We all talked about the Davis Community Center and the proposed improvements. Steve said he'd be willing to work with a group who'd like to take on trying to get these improvements done.
To contact Steve: UNDC_Barlow@comcast.net, 605-8209
Steve talked to us about the development at the Highland Street Church of Christ. There's been a lot in the Commercial Appeal about it lately. If you want some more background info, you could go to the Commercial Appeal web site.
Steve told us a little about TIF (tax increment funding) as it relates to the proposed development in place of the Highland Street C of C. It's a $65 million project. It's a strong possibility that it will go through. Most of the City Council folks are for it. The church wants to leave and will be leaving. If the property stays abandoned, it will hurt the area. If the City Council approves and everything goes smoothly, a development should begin there soon - possibly a groundbreaking by the end of this year. Call or e-mail Steve if you have questions/concerns.