The CRA is excited to announce a new essential housing program with this Request for Interest (RFI) which features over 80 vacant lots located in the Uptown Redevelopment Area and Binghampton Redevelopment Area. This program is an important opportunity to bring additional housing options to these neighborhoods, and we look forward to partnering with development teams with an interest in new, innovative approaches to affordable housing to bring this vision to reality.
The CRA is particularly interested in partnering with emerging, minority-owned, and infill developers with a passion to reinvest in our neighborhoods by providing essential housing.
With this new housing program, the CRA seeks developers and builders to execute innovative, well-designed “essential housing” (low- income housing, affordable housing, missing middle housing, workforce housing, transitional housing) on 82 lots scattered throughout the Uptown and Binghampton Redevelopment Areas.
The Uptown Redevelopment Area is located immediately adjacent to the northern edge of Downtown Memphis and encompasses a number of different neighborhoods in North Memphis, including: Greenlaw, Uptown, Smokey City, New Chicago, Bickford, Bearwater, Scutterfield, Mud Island, and the Medical District.
The purpose of the Uptown Redevelopment Area is to support affordable housing construction, building preservation, building demolition and/or site preparation, and infrastructure improvements that will create and ensure the continued economic vitality of these neighborhoods. Over the last 20+ years, the CRA has been instrumental in the ongoing revitalization of the Uptown area, with 2,000 homes and apartments built, 300 homes rehabilitated, and 30,000 square feet of roads, sidewalks, and alleyways improved. The CRA uses Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – the increase in real property tax revenue in the area – to fuel this community-driven change.
The Binghampton Redevelopment Area is centrally located in the Memphis urban core. In partnership with the Binghampton Development Corporation and the community, the CRA is focused on implementing the following community priorities:
- Strong community spaces, which support increased community activities as well as more recreational and employment opportunities for youth.
- Clean, activated, and attractive neighborhood, beautified through gardens, art, and community clean-ups
- Affordable opportunities, affordable housing, and affordable commercial space.
- Safe and connected neighborhood with new pathways and improved transportation infrastructure.
In support of these priorities, the CRA has invested in the redevelopment of the Tillman Cove site into new, affordable multi-family apartments and implemented the Single Family Rehab Program which has rehabilitated 40 homes for low-income homeowners in the first two and a half years.
The CRA firmly believes that housing at attainable price points enables people, places, and economies to reach their full potential.
With this new housing program, the CRA seeks developers and builders to execute innovative, well-designed “essential housing” (low- income housing, affordable housing, missing middle housing, workforce housing, transitional housing) on 82 lots scattered throughout the Uptown and Binghampton Redevelopment Areas.
The CRA views this housing program as a vehicle to build capacity and support small, local developers and builders. While some experience in home-building, development, and/or architectural design and site planning is desired, the CRA will consider interested parties with varying levels of experience.
