By Emma Turri

As a member of the Memphis Brownfield Coalition, the CRA has been working diligently over the last couple of years to identify and perform environmental assessments on key sites in the Urban Core of Memphis. These assessments alleviate some of the uncertainty around redevelopment potential and inform re-use strategies for sites that are often vacant and blighted. With assistance from resident liaisons and community stakeholders, the CRA has identified over 200 potential brownfield parcels and prioritized over 20 of those based on redevelopment potential. Utilizing grant funding from the US EPA, CRA’s pool of environmental consultants has performed 14 Phase 1 ESAs in the last two years. By the end of the grant period in 2027, CRA plans to have performed Phase 2 ESA sampling on another 6 sites to inform design and engineering plans for a variety of projects, many focused on affordable housing.

The next Advisory Council meeting will take place at 1300 Jackson Ave. on June 16th, 2026 at 1:00 PM. The public is welcome to join.

Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments have been completed at 14 sites:

• 0 Vance Ave
• 165 Chelsea Ave
• 179 Keel Ave
• 274 E Tillman St
• 544 Jackson Ave
• 560 E. Trigg
• 659 N Manassas St
• 677 N Fifth St
• 854 Heiskell Pl
• 901 Chelsea Ave
• 981 Peach Ave
• 1344 Jackson Ave
• 1727 Lamar Ave
• 2799 Harvard Ave