Danish's Blog

As regular readers of this blog might know that the past few posts I’ve written about ideas to revitalize Downtown Memphis and the U of M area. 

In many of the comments to those posts and those where I wrote about traditional Southern values the recurring theme was that Memphis is not family friendly anymore.  Downtown is losing its charm, the U of M area is geared for students (understandably so), many other areas within the city are not getting the attention they deserve, and the suburban areas are all that are left for many people. 

However, I read an interesting article this morning.  You can read it here.  When I read this I couldn’t help but think that the folks in Cordova are really listening to Memphians.  This is a great idea and I believe this is one of the main reasons that area is still booming and growing so fast.

What do you all have to say?

A few days ago I wrote a piece titled “Revitalizing Downtown”. Many of you gave your ideas and commented on what you thought. So far there’s been excellent feedback.

Another area of town that desperately needs the attention of the city is the U of M area. Even though The University of Memphis is my alma mater, I still feel I can write on this subject objectively. In fact, I think anyone who frequents that area will agree with what I’m going to say and they don’t even have to go on campus.

More so than downtown, the area around U of M has become increasingly unsafe particularly after dark. No one would disagree that it’s definitely not an area for families. The housing in the area is a clear indicator of that fact. Furthermore, the negative element around the campus slowly makes its way on campus.

In 2001, the TBI reported an astounding 145 cases of assault, 52 cases of robbery, 69 cases of motor theft (with 200 cases of vehicle break-ins), and 9 cases of sexual assault (link). I graduated a few years later and can remember more and more cases being reported whether through the school newspaper or word of mouth. Generally students began to feel unsafe. The Daily Helmsman, the official newspaper for the U of M, reported in 2005 that even though crime rates in general were down in Memphis, that the city’s crimes were still 2.5 times greater than the national average (link) Where does that leave the U of M? More specifically where does that leave the area directly around the U of M?

Now this is not to say that the officials at the U of M don’t care about the students or safety on campus. I want to make clear that they DO care and they do what they can to protect the campus especially the campus police. They are a small force but they do an extraordinary job and I’ve witnessed that myself on numerous occasions. However, this piece is really about what the city needs to do to help the U of M. After all it’s one of the cornerstones of our city.

Here are my ideas and I think the U of M could probably team up with the city and guide them on what exactly needs to be done.

The first thing I would suggest is PLEASE stop building housing downtown and start building more housing around the U of M! I can’t emphasize this enough. The private housing around the U of M is ridiculously expensive and is rapidly dilapidating. Those privately managed apartments immediately around the campus are simply horrid. I’ve been in many of them because of numerous friends that used to reside there. You’d think you walked into a Third World country in some of those places. I’ve never seen so many roaches in my life. There were so many that most people just stop caring whether they have roaches crawling in their food, their dishes, or even on them.  I couldn’t believe people were tolerating it but I guess they had no other choice since its only a block or two from school.

I remember in 2003 when the derecho (the now infamous wind storm known as “Hurricane Elvis”) struck Memphis, there was a huge tree that was completely uprooted in front of one of the apartment buildings. [I won’t take the name of the street because that will give away the name of the apartments and I don’t want to take names.] That tree crushed a car, destroyed the sidewalk, and blocked the front door of the apartment building, and the parking lot. And that tree remained there for such a long period of time that residents of that complex used to exit the door by climbing on top of it and sit on it in the evenings when they were socializing. Some people were unable to use their cars. It was simply unbelievable that the management let it remain there for so long.

On top of which the crime in these neighborhoods is probably not included in the TBI report referenced above. I’ve had friends robbed at gun point and knife point while standing right outside of their apartment. In one of those buildings, there was a series of armed burglaries. The same two or three people were committing the crimes and broke into every single unit in that apartment before they were finally caught a few years ago in the midst of breaking into another unit. It was the residents of the apartment building that worked together to have these thugs apprehended. These guys would break in while the residents were sleeping, studying, or in the shower and sometimes hold them at gun point until they took what they wanted and fled. Some of you may have seen that on the news. I had several friends that worked with the news stations to recant the stories.

Trammel Crow recently began building a new apartment high rise on the corner of Highland and Mynders Avenue. Though most of us were originally against it, there is one positive that I can begin to see from their project – much needed, new housing. Though the downside to all this is increased traffic. It’s a good idea but our biggest qualm until this day (since we are their direct neighbors at IAGM) is that there should have been proper planning. When these structures are proposed or built in the U of M area there need to be wider streets, traffic lights, and other features to improve the flow of cars and people in the area. The way things are looking right now there will be severe congestion once the building is finished and people start moving in.

Again, the overall idea is good but neighbors are not happy with the way the plan is being implemented. High rise apartments maybe the best choice for the area though.   We need to get rid of all those slum like properties and let’s get some new apartment buildings that are also conducive for young families.

Another suggestion I have is to concentrate on revitalizing the Highland Strip. Let’s add more attractions than just bars. There’s enough alcohol available in the area. Maybe we could add more restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, and gathering places for students to study and socialize. Let’s look at examples of campuses around the country that are friendly to pedestrians, neighbors, and provide the academic atmosphere needed for high caliber students. I’m not saying we have to be the next Georgetown or Harvard but we need a decent, safe area around the campus. Also, let’s not forget that we also need help south of the tracks on Highland.

The last suggestion I have is to do something about those railroad tracks! They have to be the number one source of frustration for not only students on campus but anyone that comes through that area. On top of being totally out of place and splitting the campus in such an odd way, they are completely unsafe! The intersection of Walker and Patterson where traffic passes over the tracks seems like someone just laid down the tracks and didn’t bother to plan how the traffic would go through. I’ve lost count on how many occasions I’ve almost wrecked because no one can understand who has the right of way and who is supposed to stop. I’ve seen others get so confused that they block cars on the track while the train is heading their way!

The least the city can do is begin some sort of study on how to alleviate this problem. We don’t need students killed by a train. It can happen very easily. I know all of you reading this that have been in the area when a train is passing and then stops on the tracks will see students climb over the train cart linkage to get on the other side because they are running late for class. I witnessed this one time and then while the young lady was in between the linkage the train started moving! Luckily she was alright but the horror on her face for those few seconds had everyone on edge.  Sure you can blame that on the irresponsibility of the individual (and I would agree) but the lack of alternatives is causing these sort of situations to become more commonplace.

I could go on and on about this subject in general but if you’ve made it this far in this piece then I thank you for being patient and reading all the way through.

What are your suggestions to improve the U of M area?

This is a subject I’ve been itching to comment on.  I used to work downtown and a lot has changed since then.  Now when I visit I see all the change.  However, I can’t help but scratch my head at all the new apartments and housing developments going on downtown.  What’s going on?

Now I understand the basic premise behind this idea – make downtown a livable and vibrant place.  And I can support that for Memphis…if it makes sense.  Let me explain.

Many people have many different ideas on how to make our city a lively and enticing place to live.  We’ve heard from many of you right here on these forums.  But honestly, does adding more and more housing downtown suddenly make it a place where everyone moves to?

Is it just me or does anyone else notice that not much goes on downtown after work hours?  No, I don’t mean people cruising around Beale Street on the weekend evenings or riding the horse carriages.  When you enter the downtown of any major city that has a happening downtown, you can find things going on any night of the week.  Shouldn’t there be more to do in our downtown then “holler” at the opposite gender and get drunk?  What happened to showcasing the culture and history of our great city?  What about being able to take a walk by the river without fear of being victimized?

Nothing is truly present downtown anymore for locals.  When friends visit me from other cities they ask "let's go downtown" and I respond "Well...let me show you some other things".  There are no fine arts, no family type events, not even nice buildings and lights to see at night – nothing.  If law enforcement is not present in full force, most people would not dare to walk around in the evening. 

Let’s take another example.  We have huge conventions in this city.  Where do people stay?  It’s no secret that our city lacks not only major convention space but we don’t have enough hotel rooms either.  The COGIC conventions and other major events illustrate this problem every single time.  Every single hotel from the outskirts to within the city will be filled and people will still be looking for rooms.

Now you must be asking yourself where I’m headed with this :-)

Well for one thing we need to stop building all this housing downtown and start looking at building some hotels.  I just can't understand why we're not doing this?  Also, we need to stop the mass exodus of businesses that are moving out east.  What’s happening to all the small businesses on Main Street?  I know several of those owners personally and they're all barely making enough money to stay open.  The Pyramid is all but extinct.  We need more meeting space.  Can we find a nice place to take an evening stroll along the river?  Get the idea?

The list can be very long.  How do we bring this to the attention of our leaders?  Can we tell them that we’re not interested in criticism but in doing something for the city? 

What do you all think?  What are some other ideas that you would like to see implemented downtown?  Let’s hear those ideas! 

Recently I wrote a piece titled “The Need for Positivity in Memphis”.  Overall, both publicly and privately, I’ve received very good feedback.  

One of the regular bloggers on this forum that goes by the name of WTaylor made an interesting comment on my article.    He basically agreed with the principle of my idea but asked how it was possible since our community is following the societal trend of becoming more individualistic and introverted.  I must say he gave excellent examples too.  

Here’s a blurb from his comment (you can read the entire comment under the article I referenced above):
 

“We live in a highly personalized era where people can all be gathered in the same place and not even so much as say "hi" to the next person. In public places, everyone has their own music on their iPods and are working on their laptop. Then at home, we want to lock the doors and not come out of our ultra private shells.

I mentioned in an earlier post of mine that Memphians these days are especially introverted because our yards are bigger and we move around the city a lot. We just don't want to be bothered about the next person anymore”

 And I have to say I mostly agree with what WTaylor mentioned.  We can even go a little further and say that this is definitely one if not the main culprit that has lead to the downfall of all those traditional values like the friendliness, neighborliness, family values, caring, and compassion our community was always known for.  

Another user on this forum, Dorkish-Wayz, alluded to something pertinent with her piece “Bullying: Is it really THAT serious??”  What she’s pointing out is only a symptom of the increased violent culture our city has become accustomed to.  No matter which local news station you prefer to watch, one of the leading stories will always be related to violent acts.  Everyone here knows, unfortunately, we’re one of the leading cities in the entire country when it comes to murder and other violent crimes.  
 

Of course there are other symptoms of this loss of our traditional values.  The question then becomes does reversing the trend of individualism resolve this issue?  Is it possible to be an introverted but be actively involved in helping others? 

What do you all think?

There was a time that Memphis was always known for its rich Southern heritage and culture.  You could walk into a store, in the street, or at work and literally talk to anyone and they would gladly carry on a genuine friendly conversation.  You may have even become friends or at least close acquaintances.

Driving in the streets would not illicit responses from angered drivers because you did not see the red light turn green or you weren’t driving at death defying speeds on I-240.  Believe it or not, there was a time when saying hello to your neighbors was the standard thing to do and not being able to make friends in this city meant you may be from another planet. 

Fast forward to today.  In some parts of town, crime is so bad that people are afraid to leave their homes as soon as it becomes dark (some would even tell you that they only leave when “necessary”).  Even areas like Germantown and Bartlett that were once known to be “crime free” are dealing with their own increasing crime rates. 

Violent crimes within the city are up dramatically.  The area around the U of M is continually deteriorating.  Students in city schools, and even some county schools, have to mentally prepare themselves for battle when they walk into class. 

And let’s not even talk about the driving situation.  No matter how wide the roads become, you can’t drive far without seeing someone take a left from the “right turn only” lane.  Of course if you honk your horn at anyone to let them know they can’t do that then you may be risking bodily harm or worse.

Now when friends visit here from larger cities and I brag about Memphis’ Southern hospitality, they want to know what I’m talking about.  That wasn’t the case before.  What happened to the good ole’ days?

I’m sure as all of you are reading this you’re thinking about 100 other things that could be mentioned.  But honestly the idea behind this post is not to complain.  It is actually to point out that we need positive solutions to our problems.

One of the easiest things to do within the greater community is to promote “positivity”.  This is something so small and simple but it can have such profound effects.  It’s something we can do right now and on our own.  How many of you reading this (including myself) actually know our neighbors?  No really, do we really KNOW our neighbors?  No, waving as they drive by in the mornings does not count.

This small idea can have such a significant impact that it can even start to reduce crime.  Imagine a neighborhood where all of your neighbors were also good friends.  I grew up in that type of neighborhood in Memphis so I can attest to its benefits.  Do you really think some seedy criminal would walk through it staking out a home to burglarize?  When I was a kid our home was burglarized.  In fact it was part of a string of burglaries in the neighborhood.  However, no one in the neighborhood knew each other.  Once we got to know one another it never happened again to anyone.

Another example is on the road.  The next time you’re driving and someone signals that they want to merge in front of you, ask yourself, “How much time will I really save if I do not let them in front of me?”  You may know as well as I do that we can only contribute to decreasing road rage by driving defensively and courteously. 

Finally let’s not only complain about how bad our public schools have become.  If you’re a parent, become involved in your kids school.  Join the PTA, a booster club, introduce yourself to other parents, participate with your kids in school sponsored events, or simply ask to meet with their teachers and administrators.  You might be surprised that school staff may actually welcome you in a day and age when working in a school is becoming more of a liability than a privilege. 

I’m sure by now most of you reading this get the idea.  Let’s start making our individual efforts to make our community a better place and keep encouraging our friends, family, and anyone else we know to do the same. The rest will follow.

And remember to share your ideas on this blog to promote “positivity” in Memphis!