Commission approves Cleveland Street Corridor TIF after community testimony

Shelby County commissioners approved a joint ordinance with the City of Memphis to establish the Cleveland Street Corridor Redevelopment Trust Fund, creating a tax-increment financing (TIF) district intended to attract private investment, support multimodal development, and address blight along the Cleveland Street corridor.

Several nonprofit and faith-based leaders spoke in favor of the plan. Scott Morris of Church Health said the corridor matters to his patients and the organization's long-term investments. "We care unbelievably about the future development of the Cleveland Corridor," he said. Tracy Burgess of Dorothy Day House and Keke Hall of Catholic Charities described services in the area and urged the commission to ensure redevelopment preserves access for social‑service clients. Rev. Jason Turner stressed that the proposed TIF would be community‑based and include local stakeholders in fund administration.

Commissioners expressed support for the collaborative planning approach and emphasized protections for social‑service providers that serve vulnerable residents. After public testimony the commission recorded nine aye votes and passed the ordinance on third reading.