Facing mounting community opposition, Shelby County commissioners voted last week in committee to advance an amendment that would remove the New Chicago neighborhood from consideration as a potential site for a new county jail — a step celebrated by residents, though not yet final.
The vote took place during committee meetings on Wednesday, Sept. 4, where commissioners approved moving the amendment to the full commission for consideration at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 8.
The amendment, sponsored by Commissioner Henri Brooks, passed the Law Enforcement, Corrections and Courts Committee on a 2–0 vote. Commissioner Erika Sugarmon also voted in favor, while the other members of the committee declined to vote.
If the full commission approves the amendment, New Chicago would be removed from the current list of potential jail sites. However, it’s unclear whether the site could be reconsidered later, as an ad hoc committee is expected to evaluate possible locations countywide.
“I am in support of the residents,” Brooks said. “I have heard them. I’ve been to the meeting. I have heard their opposition to having a penal colony, if you will, in their community. And I support that.”
The proposal to relocate the Walter L. Bailey Criminal Justice Center from Downtown Memphis to North Memphis topped a UT County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) list of potential sites for a new jail. It would be built on the 85-acre site where a former Firestone plant once operated. A new jail on that property would be within a stone’s throw of the New Chicago neighborhood.
Other sites listed in the study were Shelby Farms and Downtown. However, North Memphis was the only potential site elaborated upon during an Aug. 6 presentation. Many opponents of the idea accused its architects of a fait accompli, with a predetermined outcome.
According to one area stakeholder, the accusation isn’t far off. “Methodical” discussions leading to the 177-page proposal neglected to include anyone from the New Chicago community.
“None of the people on the stakeholders list live in New Chicago or North Memphis,” said New Chicago Community Development Corporation Director Dr. Carnita Atwater. “You were methodical when you rolled up to New Chicago. We are going to be methodical when we get you out of there.”
An ad hoc committee to begin a broader conversation on jail relocation has been proposed by new Commission Chair Shante Avant. It is expected to include several stakeholders throughout Shelby County and Memphis, including those from New Chicago. Every location within the county is supposed to be up for discussion, including North Memphis.
Atwater went on to accuse the Shelby County and City of Memphis governments of intentionally disenfranchising the New Chicago CDC by denying “accessibility to city and county funds, tax lien properties and land procurement by the city and county.”
“Commissioner Henri Brooks was the only commissioner that spoke out about putting this new jail in New Chicago,” Atwater said.
Built in 1983, a replacement for the current Shelby County Jail is long overdue. In addition to being overcrowded, it is in a near constant state of disrepair. Cash infusions by the county commission totaling more than $11 million have paid for new jail doors, security upgrades, escalator repairs and various fixes. Much more work is needed.
In reality, the repairs are meant to buy time until a new facility is eventually built.
According to the CTAS proposal, a move to North Memphis would present a win-win for all parties involved. The relocation of the county’s entire criminal and civil justice systems to North Memphis would create an economic renaissance for the area. A long-underserved community would see an influx of lawyers, jail employees and case workers. Businesses to support the workers wouldn’t be far behind.
Moreover, a move would free up 10 acres of prime real estate Downtown near the Convention Center District. The county’s penal farm at Shelby Farms would also be relocated to the area.
Critics dismiss the proposed outcome as overly optimistic. Few businesses would be attracted to the location beyond bail bondsmen and similar services. Additionally, they argue the project shouldn’t negatively impact residents of any community — minority or otherwise.
“A lot of people say the economic benefit of moving the jail … restaurants. Look at the jail we have now. Tell me, has it really made Downtown a better place? No,” said Andrea Bell. “If we want to rebuild or situate the jail in some other location, it should be as is. Not in some community. Not in a majority-Black community. Not in a majority-White community.”
The proposal from the “concerned citizen” resonated with one member of the committee.
“I agree with a lot of what you said. I’m not opposed to keeping the jail Downtown. It does need to be a rebuild, but I am not against that option at all,” said Commissioner Amber Mills. “It does need to be a rebuild, though, and not a patch job that we’re doing.”
Mills also noted the “fear” around the discussion. To date, zero dollars have been allocated to begin a master plan on a jail. Furthermore, a new jail is likely years off. A new commission could ultimately have final say.
“This is so far removed from any of us, this board of commissioners, seeing it happen,” Mills said.
