COMBINED PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Date of Publication: July 11, 2025
City of Memphis - HCD
170 North Main Street – 3rd floor
Memphis, TN 38103
901/636-7454
On or about July 28, 2025, the City of Memphis will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds, to undertake a project known as the 38126 Innovation and Technology Center, for the purpose described below:
38126 Innovation and Technology Center
The 38126 Innovation & Technology Center, which will be located at 991 Mississippi Blvd., and which will have an estimated funded amount of $1.5 million, is an innovative commercial retail building concept, that when completed will bring 30 new jobs and opportunities for this underserved community. This project will eliminate slum and blight, and benefit the community by creating jobs, and supporting economic development activities in one of the city’s poorest zip codes. The project will provide space for the Innovation Center, retail and commercial spaces, technology classes, food service space, health care space, and clothing store space for the community. The project will create 30 new jobs from its operations, and it will provide an opportunity for community to learn skills and to develop workforce skills that will allow them to expand and create a community of working residents.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)
It has been determined that this request will not constitute an action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, and thus the City of Memphis has decided not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (P.L. 91-190), because the projects will not be of sufficient size, scale, or mass, will not have a significant impact on the human environment under NEPA, and will not exceed the threshold criteria established for the preparation of such a Statement.
An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Memphis, Division of Housing and Community Development, 170 North Main Street – 3rd floor, Memphis, TN 38103, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 5:00 P.M. The ERR will also be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to the address list above, or by email to glenn.vaulx@memphistn.gov.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Division of Housing and Community Development, for consideration by the City of Memphis. All comments received by July 28, 2025, will be considered by the City of Memphis prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Memphis certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Ashley Cash, in her capacity as the Director, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. U.S. Housing and Urban Development approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Memphis to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
U.S. Housing and Urban Development will accept objections to this request and the City of Memphis certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Memphis (b) the City of Memphis has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by U.S. Housing and Urban Development; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to H.U.D. Local Field Office at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, 710 Locust St. S.W., Suite 300, Knoxville, TN 37902-2526. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Ashley Cash, Director
July 11, 2025 Md109238
LEGAL 53076