Whitehaven is the largest neighborhood in South Memphis. It’s a majority African-American, middle class neighborhood with high homeownership and community involvement. Whitehaven is home to Graceland, the second most visited attraction in the U.S., and the city’s first enclosed mall, Southland Mall. A $40 million improvement to Elvis Presley Boulevard along with new business investment is the next step for the community. While smaller business are common, the neighborhood is hoping to attract more upscale and large-scale retailers and restaurants to support its growing culture and economy.
A new guerilla marketing campaign popping up around town from the Memphis Public Libraries (MPL) is helping to build awareness of the diverse and growing range of free programs offered at local public libraries.
New family entertainment could be on the way to Whitehaven, as developer JD USA Shopping Center plans the Whitehaven Landing trampoline park-centered retail center at 1232 East Shelby Drive at the south end of Southbrook Mall.
Whitehaven residents reflect on the legacy of Hillcrest High School, which was taken over by the Achievement School District in 2015, and Whitehaven High School, which became the nucleus of the Empowerment Zone in 2016.
Karen Garrett, parent of a graduating senior at Hillcrest High School, shares her experience in the Whitehaven school.
A photo essay follows the daily trials of Betty Jones, 72, who lives with diabetes and receives care at Whitehaven's Methodist South hospital.
Investments in Whitehaven are on the rise as banks move forward with new facilities and programs targeting homeownership and small businesses.
The Whitehaven Healthy Community Day, coordinated by Methodist South, promoted healthy activity and preventative care to hundreds in Whitehaven.
Locations around the city for the first 60 bike stations of the Explore Bike Share program have been announced, and the nonprofit has plans more stations and bikes for 2019 and 2020. The 600-bike system, which spans from Downtown, South Memphis, and Cooper Young to Orange Mound, Overton Square, and Crosstown, is moving towards a launch later this spring.
Join us for a discussion about the untapped and under-realized economic potential of Whitehaven as part of our On The Ground embedded reporting engagement in the neighborhood. RSVP for the free event here.
The City of Memphis has been looking into long-term solutions for flooding in Whitehaven since 2015 with a study specifically focused on Days Creek, which runs adjacent to Whitehaven for 14 miles. But for many residents, that effort is moving at a snail’s pace.
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