Community-led revitalization events part of strategy to boost local entrepreneurs affected by pandemic
BLDG Memphis will collaborate with seven local community development corporations to host a series of MEMFix events in neighborhoods throughout Memphis beginning April 29 in Alcy Ball and continuing through October in Orange Mound. The events, which will be free and open to the public, are designed to engage existing businesses and residents in each neighborhood to display how active retail, high-quality public spaces and great street design can drive neighborhood economic vitality. The 2023 MEMFix series is part of BLDG Memphis’ Community Navigator Pilot Program, which aims to revive small minority-owned businesses that have been especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
BLDG Memphis (Build. Live. Develop. Grow.) is a coalition of organizations and individuals who support the development and redevelopment of healthy, vibrant, attractive, and economically sustainable neighborhoods throughout the Memphis region. In 2021, the organization was awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to implement the Biden-Harris administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program locally. The BLDG Memphis member CDCs were chosen because their organizational structure, capacity and existing programming were compatible with the CNPP’s goal of reducing barriers that small businesses, including those owned by disadvantaged groups such as veterans, women, and those from rural communities and communities of color, often face in accessing critical support. Each has existing relationships with businesses, entrepreneurs and merchant associations within their boundaries and are trusted leaders in the community whom residents rely on for resources, technical expertise, and advocacy. As the CNPP administrator, BLDG Memphis serves as the primary point-of-contact and resource for capacity-building, critical information, training, and assessment needed by its member CDCs.
MEMFix is an innovative tactical urbanism approach to neighborhood revitalization first initiated by BLDG Memphis, then called Livable Memphis, in 2010. Community members use the events to bring attention to overlooked spaces, address neighborhood issues, or demonstrate desired changes or improvements within a public or private space. Since the initial MEMFix experiment on Broad Avenue, there have been numerous projects in other areas that have yielded more than $300 million of investment into new and existing businesses, retail space, street infrastructure, art installations and building renovations. Locations of previous events include Cleveland Street, Edge District, Crosstown Concourse, South Memphis, and Madison Heights. BLDG Memphis is partnering with its member CDCs to coordinate the 2023 MEMFix events, providing marketing and communications support as well as general guidance.
“I am very excited about our 2023 MEMFix series,” said Deveney Perry, executive director for BLDG Memphis.
“BLDG Memphis is looking forward to working with communities and community businesses to re-envision and share how Memphis can invest in neighborhood small businesses and neighborhood commercial corridors.”
More information about the 2023 MEMFix series can be found online at BLDGMemphis.org.
2023 MEMFix SCHEDULE
| Date | Neighborhood | Host CDC |
| April 29 | Alcy Ball | Alcy Ball Community Development Corporation |
| May 20 | South City | South City Opportunity Revitalization Empowerment
|
| June | Whitehaven | Greater Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment
|
| July | Klondike Smokey City | Klondike Smokey City Community Development
|
| August | Frayser | Frayser Community Development Corporation |
| September | The Heights | Heights Community Development Corporation |
| October | Orange Mound | Kingdom Community Builders |