Welcome to About Town, where we take a deeper dive into one neighborhood each week while also highlighting the latest news, developments and back stories from Memphis’ neighborhoods. This week’s focus: Frayser
Everything aligned when Girls Inc. of Memphis decided to host a groundbreaking ceremony for its youth farm expansion in Frayser this week.
For one, the rain forecast for Thursday stayed away, even if the humidity showed up in full force.
That did not deter about 40 people gathering outdoors at 1179 Dellwood Ave. without the fear that once accompanied such events. Especially, now that anyone above age 12 is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Shelby County.
“All of the things said this is the right time,” Girls Inc. of Memphis President and CEO Lisa Moore said. “Where we were fighting for it to be sooner, the universe has a way of making things happen.”
While events like the one Thursday are largely ceremonial, it gives community members a chance to reflect on the past, while also looking to the future.
In a previous article, I highlighted the impact that more than $60 million of ongoing projects in Frayser could mean for the neighborhood long-term.
The reason that’s the case is each individual project brings excitement and hope.
While the expansion is newsworthy — a new programming center, additional farming equipment and office space — what’s even more important is the impact that will have on girls who go through the program in future years.
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It all started years ago when Jason Farmer’s grade-school-age son said he wanted to be a filmmaker. On Thursday, the Land Use Control Board approved a planned development for an 85-acre film- and TV-production complex in Whitehaven.
The three BLP Film Studios partners, at City Hall after receiving approval June 10, 2021 from the planning board for their film-production complex in Whitehaven. (From left) Cecilia Barnes, general counsel, Jason Farmer, founder/chief executive, and Carolyn Henry, chief financial officer. (Tom Bailey/Daily Memphian)
Shelby County Schools is ending its seven-year relationship with Porter-Leath for early childhood education.
Shelby County Health Department is hosting a series of health fairs in the next couple of months throughout the county to showcase the resources and services available to residents.
Pastor Sharon Fields prays with a group of community members during a public health fair at the Pursuit of God Transformation Center in Frayser June 5, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Memphis already has six gas stations per 10,000 residents, 50% above the U.S. average. But the Department of Planning & Development cited even more reasons why a C-store with gas should not be built at Sam Cooper at Tillman.
Called 35 Central, the development near the University of Memphis would include a seven-story hotel and a six-story building with apartments, office space and a parking garage.
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