Developments are being started in historically significant Black neighborhoods nationwide, repurposing deteriorated structures with the goal of bringing spaces for the arts, affordable housing and businesses under one roof.
Developers are repurposing deteriorated structures in historically significant areas in an effort to incorporate spaces for the arts, affordable housing and small businesses under one roof.
Plans for a $10 million facelift for the historic Melrose High School in Orange Mound are still in their infancy, but city officials and architects gave more details about the proposed redevelopment of the long-vacant building in a Zoom meeting Thursday.
Over the course of the next two years, the building will be converted into a library and genealogy center with apartments for seniors on the upper floors.
Paul Young, director of the city’s division of housing and community development, said the redevelopment would breathe life back into one of the central institutions in one of Memphis’ most storied districts.