Application for affordable housing project in Whitehaven pulled
The application to convert the Red Roof Inn on Elvis Presley Boulevard in Whitehaven into low-income housing was originally presented in December of 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)
An application for converting the Red Roof Inn on Elvis Presley Boulevard in Whitehaven into low-income housing has been withdrawn after neighbors expressed concerns about the project.
The applicant, One Stop Housing LLC of Florida, originally said in its proposal that the 137-unit complex would be “harmonious with the character of the neighborhood.”
A statement announcing the withdrawal of the application, sent by councilman JB Smiley, Jr., came Thursday, Jan. 6, just one week before its presentation to the Land Use Control Board.
“After hearing from the residents of Whitehaven who expressed concerns regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Red Roof Inn on Elvis Presley Boulevard into apartments, I spoke with the representative for the special use permit applicant,” he wrote. “The representative and applicant care about the responsible use of this property and hear the concerns of those who want to maintain the character of this treasured neighborhood. They agree that it would be better suited for a different use in the future and will be withdrawing their application that was scheduled to appear before Land Use Control Board on January 13th. I also want to recognize my colleague councilwoman Patrice Robinson, who supported Whitehaven residents in their concerns with this project.”
The hotel is at 3265 Elvis Presley on the west side of the street just south of Brooks Road.
The project came under fire in December when neighborhood leaders and residents sent elected officials a petition, which received 462 signatures, and letters of opposition to the Red Roof plan.
The application was originally on the LUCB agenda Dec. 9, 2021, but it was held because of the opposition and a COVID-19 infection. Nearly a month later, the company decided to pull it.
“I think there’s so much opposition that it wasn’t wanted,” Mark Vengroff, CEO of One Stop Housing, said. “I think it would be a wonderful thing for the community and a great asset that would enhance the area. But I think I might have been alone on that thought, or it just wasn’t wanted on Elvis Presley Boulevard. They had other plans for it. And we’re not one to buck the system. We’re just here to help.”
Vengroff believed the opposition came from a misunderstanding from community members who claimed the project would lower property values and bring more crime to the area.
One Stop Housing has two other locations nearby on Airways Boulevard and Springbrook Avenue, and Vengroff said those claims are far from true.
One Stop Housing's Brian McMillan showed off the model unit at Bantam Airways Apartments, an old motel that was recently converted into more permanent living quarters by the Florida-based company, in February 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)
“Crime has actually been reduced dramatically, almost 80% on one home, within the first three months of our taking the property over,” Vengroff said. “So if anything, it would really enhance the neighborhood but not distract from it. Property values have also increased dramatically where these other properties are.”
The proposed project would have cost $4.5 million following the purchase, Vengroff said.
Michael O. Harris, executive director of Greater Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment Corporation, expressed disappointment that the neighborhood leaders and residents had not met Vengroff. Instead, they met a representative for One Stop Housing.
But he was happy to see the application pulled, because he felt the business did not belong in what he considers the tourism district, which begins at the Memphis Visitor Center on Elvis Presley Boulevard at Brooks Road and continues south to East Raines Road.
“I’m excited that this is done,” Harris said. “And this is a good win for Whitehaven. We have to be able to let the community say what they want and have input in that. And this is a community where disinvestment has taken place for three decades. And when the people of the community stand up and say it’s our time to get the things that we’ve wanted. Why do we continue to get the things that aren’t even on our wish list?”
GWERC will soon roll out an exterior grant program in which Whitehaven businesses will receive up to $5,000 for exterior renovations.
“These are the things that we want to do,” Harris said. “Not the other direction. I fundamentally believe that small business is what makes a community. We have to work hard to help drive the community to small business.”
Harris said the property needs to remain a hotel and said he is willing to meet with the owners and help figure out a better partnership.
“I don’t want the Guest House at Graceland and Holiday Inn to be the only viable options,” Harris said. “Why can’t we take some of these other hotels that are going through some challenging times and spruce that up? Let’s bring it back to life.”
Vengroff will now search for a new site for the project outside the tourism district.
Topics
Whitehaven One Stop Housing LLC GWERC Greater Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment Corp. Elvis Presley BoulevardJulia Baker
A lifelong Memphian, Julia Baker graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.