Public safety efforts in Downtown Memphis received another infusion of cash from the state legislature this budget season.
A $50 million grant to the Downtown Memphis Public Safety was included in the state’s $58.3 billion FY2027 budget that passed on April 16. The endowment follows a $74 million grant from state lawmakers earlier this year.
The Downtown Memphis Commission is currently designing infrastructure to invest the $124 million. City and state leaders hope the outlay will encourage visits to Downtown Memphis.
City planners are currently drawing up improvements to support peak travel and high visitation times downtown. Meanwhile, physical upgrades could include sidewalks that meet ADA standards and improved pedestrian and street lighting for increased visibility.
MDC is responsible for the development of the 6.5-mile Downtown Memphis area, including the Beale St. entertainment district and the FedEx Arena.
The Memphis City Council recently invested $80 million in a planned $550 million renovation of the latter. The upgrades to the facility are intended to prevent the Memphis Grizzlies from seeking greener pastures in another city.
Numerous marquee NBA players like Lebron James, Draymond Green, Anthony Edwards and Jimmy Butler have skewered the 21-year-old arena, along with the city’s accommodations.
More ominously, an expansion of the league is expected before the start of the 2028-29 season, with Seattle and Las Vegas expected to gain franchises. Adding more logos to the 30-team league, or relocating small market franchises — like Memphis — are being studied as options.
City leaders have taken note. A $250 million renovation is slated to begin at the former Downtown Sheraton Hotel — dubbed the Memphis Riverline Hotel on an interim basis — next year. The work is scheduled to be completed in 2029.
Renovations are also underway at four city-owned parking garages. Improvements at the Justice Center, Peabody, First Place and Borboro facilities include enhanced public safety efforts like lighting and signage. Structural repairs and waterproofing are also being done.
Last year, the Memphis Police Department opened a Downtown Command Center. The $2.5 million surveillance hub, which features AI-powered cameras, serves as a “real-time crisis center.” The command center is located at 250 Peabody Place.
