The Commercial Appeal

Foote Homes redevelopm­ent advances

- Desiree Stennett Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK – TENNESSEE

Work could begin as soon as February to prepare for the next phases of redevelopm­ent of the former Foote Homes public housing complex in Downtown Memphis.

A series of building permits worth more than $13 million was filed by the Memphis Housing Authority on Nov. 1 and Nov. 5 for along Foote Lane, Ishmael Place, Danny Thomas Boulevard and Butler Avenue.

Each of the permits is related to the phases three and four of the project which will happen simultaneo­usly, Memphis Housing Authority CEO Marcia Lewis said.

“In the next phase, we’re getting ready to go across to the west side of Danny Thomas,” Lewis said. “Those will be mostly family units. We’re talking two, three and four bedrooms but with a very small number of (one-bedroom units).”

The two phases are expected to cost more than $65 million and will add 240 new units to the project. Lewis said they will happen simultaneo­usly to help speed up the project after early delays.

The first phase of the project is already complete and former residents started to move into those 114 units in September

Phase two is already underway. Lewis said about 77% of the work needed to improve public spaces is complete while about 50% of the constructi­on of the 134 units in phase two is complete.

Residents are expected to start moving into those apartments during the first quarter of 2020.

Future phases will still be needed to add a 120-unit senior facility on the southwest corner of the property and another 104 units could be built on what is currently green space on the west side of the property.

When complete the complex, renamed Foote Park at South City, will have 712 units.

Desiree Stennett covers economic developmen­t and business at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at desiree.stennett@ commercial­appeal.com, 901-529-2738 or on Twitter: @desi_stennett.

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