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Daily Memphian seminar to focus on developing Downtown and Midtown

By , Daily Memphian Updated: January 12, 2026 1:51 PM CT | Published: October 18, 2025 10:28 AM CT

Rev. J. Lawrence Turner, pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, says churches can do more for their cities by developing real estate they own.

That is what his church, known as The Blvd, is doing with its $300 million mixed-use development in the Cleveland Street corridor that will provide housing, education and opportunities to its congregation and the public alike. 

“I think we failed to realize how much real estate churches have in this city and across this nation,” Turner said. “It is a missed opportunity, I believe, by many churches to not at least consider what it would mean to reimagine their properties and not only serve religious purposes, but to serve the community.”

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Rev. J. Lawrence Turner Chandell Ryan John Halford Todd Richardson Subscriber Only The Daily Memphian The Daily Memphian Seminars Developing Memphis seminar

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Dima Amro

Dima Amro is a native Memphian who covers commercial real estate and economic development for The Daily Memphian. She received her B.A. in journalism at the University of Memphis and M.A. in investigative journalism at American University.


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