Strategic Initiatives, managed by Mary Claire Borys, serves as a part of HCD Director Ashley Cash’s Office in the role of the City’s in-house developer for construction/redevelopment projects, particularly those projects which are in Tourism Development Zones (TDZs) which are Downtown and around the Fairgrounds (now Liberty Park).
Raleigh Springs Civic Center
The redevelopment of the Raleigh Springs Mall, now the Raleigh Springs Civic Center, includes the Raleigh Public Library, Austin Peay Police Station and Memphis Traffic & Special Operations Station along with the Raleigh Springs Skate Park and walking trail. There are also the upcoming projects of constructing the Fleet Services Maintenance Building at the Center and devising a redevelopment plan for the 20 acres remaining at the Center. You can find more on the Raleigh Springs Civic Center here.
Fairgrounds Redevelopment
The Fairgrounds site, now renamed as Liberty Park, includes the construction of the Memphis Sports & Events Center (for indoor sports) and an 18-acre mixed-use development including retail, food and beverage, hospitality, office, multi-family residences, and family entertainment. For more information on Liberty Park, visit https://www.libertyparkmemphis.com/.
Cossitt Library renovation
The ongoing $6.5 million renovation of Memphis’s first public library, originally opened in 1893. More on the historic Cossitt Library https://www.memphislibrary.org/about/locations/cossitt-library/.
Past Projects
- Pyramid redevelopment to Bass Pro Shops
- Fairgrounds Redevelopment Phase I (Tiger Lane and 3 sets of improvements to the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium)
- Oversaw HCD’s contribution of funds to Crosstown Concourse, the Overton Park Garage, and The Citizen, among many other projects over the years.