http://www.commercialappeal.com/stor...ica/504383001/
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Nearly 500 cars and trucks are parked in the south and west parking lots. About three quarters of the vehicles by my rough survey bear license tags issued in a single place, Shelby County, Tennessee.
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Southland is the only thing West Memphis has going for it right now. Memphis may not be benefiting from Southland, but Crittenden County residents use Memphis hospitals and buy from Memphis stores. While Southland has grown, the city of West Memphis doesn't advertise it nearly as much as they advertise Downtown Memphis. So if Memphis is losing out with Southland, I'm sure the money is being made in a lot of other areas.
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Southland gamblers bet more than $2.7 billion last year...Last year, wagers at the eight remaining [Tunica] casinos totaled $634 million...
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This is due to proximity to Memphis. When it comes to the suburbs, West Memphis has the greatest potential, but it hasn't been lived up to. We're called West Memphis for a reason. Back in the day, 8th Street was like a miniature Beale Street, and the land where Pancho's sits used to be a nightclub that hosted famous musicians. None of these things have been marketed enough. Neglecting the east end of the city is the worst mistake West Memphis has ever made. West Memphis is still focused on the Broadway historic district, an area that has no hotels or entertainment.
I feel like something is happening in WM. There was an old Chevy dealership on East Broadway that was abandoned for years and out of the blue, it was torn down. I hope the city is finally implementing a revitalization plan.
Three hotels, a new hospital and the Delta Regional River Park are all coming to WM's east side.