Memphis nonprofit seeks city help to buy and restore Lamar Avenue theater

Zipporah Muriel, founder of the nonprofit Memphis Mecca and its development arm South Mecca Development, told the Public Service Arts and Youth Initiative Committee on April 22 that her group is pursuing rehabilitation of a long-vacant property on Lamar Avenue and is asking the council to consider funding help for property acquisition and initial site work.

Muriel said the nonprofit is a local, youth-focused development group that aims to convert the site into a multiuse cultural and entertainment venue targeted at younger residents. “We are the change,” she said, describing the anchor project as a multipurpose entertainment facility with rotating film series, cultural programming and youth workshops.

Why this matters: Muriel said Memphis is losing residents in prime working ages and that modest targeted investments in culture and walkable destinations can help retain young families and creatives. She told the committee the site falls within a federal opportunity zone and that the group has community support — she said a petition in the group’s packet carried more than 100 signatures.

What they asked for: Muriel asked the council to consider funding the cost of property acquisition, site assessment and early demolition. She said preliminary materials in the packet estimate the project will need “about 750,000” to secure the location and begin site work, and also referenced an existing agreement with the seller. She asked the committee to consider a possible line item in the 2026 budget and to identify any discretionary funds that could be used now to finish acquisition and start preparation work.

What the committee said: Committee members who spoke praised the youth-led proposal and asked for more detail on the applicant’s budget, long-term operations and community partnerships. Councilman Warren and Councilwoman Logan both urged staff to bring the project into budget discussions; Logan specifically asked for documentation identifying other grant and private funding commitments and for a financial accountability plan (Muriel said a plan was provided in the packet). The applicant said architects have completed renderings for phase one and that contractor estimates were still being finalized.

Next steps: Muriel said she would share renderings and additional budget detail with council offices and left a packet for members. The group asked for a 2026 budget line item and possible discretionary funds in the current budget; no formal appropriation was voted at the committee meeting.

Ending: The presentation closed with committee members encouraging the group to return with a final site budget and a timeline for acquisition and early demolition.