HUD Announces 2011 Sustainable Communities Award Of Over $2.5 Million in Tennessee

At the end of Riverwalk Trail, a few hundred yards from the Harahan rail bridge slated to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Mississippi River, Congressman Steve Cohen (http://cohen.house.gov/) (D-TN9), and local officials announced a $2.6 million dollars HUD Regional Planning Grant.

End of Riverwalk Trail with Harahan Bridge in background

The 2011 Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Award of $2,619,999 will be used by the Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Planning Committee to address the critical need for initiating long-term comprehensive land use planning for the Region, which includes Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri.

Cohen stated, "It is important that the city of Memphis and Shelby County governments develop a comprehensive land use plan that will spur economic development, improve housing and transportation in Memphis and Shelby County and other surrounding areas." Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell (http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/index.aspx?NID=213) thanked Cohen, citing his "on-going and tireless efforts in Washington to help get the grant."

Memphis Mayor, AC Wharton, Jr., (http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=22) joined Luttrell in amplifying the Congressman's words, saying: "The Grant will grow the City and County in a way that it's easier for Memphians to find work, quality housing and utilize mass transit to improve their quality of life."

Representing HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr., John Gemmill, Director of HUD's West Tennessee's Office said: "This achievement took extraordinary leadership, collaboration and innovation at all levels to make the grant possible."

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