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Originally Posted by KingWestMemphis
http://www.commercialappeal.com/stor...ica/504383001/
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.
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.
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I've long fancied an idea of building up a series of Manmade Islands on the Arkansas bank across from Memphis. Much of this would be done the same way the built up the roadway and we new way stations. In the area north and east of the train tracks. The resulting lakes done in a fashion that would allow the flow during high water to flow with little effect on the the stabilized islands and to provide the displacement relief associated with those. ONE would be connected to main channel to provide a slack water harbor and marina much like the Wolf River Harbor. All would be lined with trails and park space and to provide activities lime fishing and even leasure activites like jet skis. One would be open for mixed use with an emphasis on office space with some condos, one primarily a 2.0 of Mud Island on the residential side and one to be developed as a tourism driver, hotels,.conference center, theme park, ect, ect, ect. The access would be via the a major upgrade of the exit that allows access to the chemical pant to the south of I-55 and eventually a new interchange on I-40 and it would open up the area north of there to more "islands" Some of which is actually Tennessee land. Heck, I would connect it to downtown Memphis with a potential light rail system using the other side of the old road way that the walking/bike trail uses to cross the river. The parts of land to the west and south of the train tracks would be restored wetland that would be open to naturalists and provide nature walks and observation blinds. Get Ducks Unlimited and Arkansas Game and Fish in on it and build Nature Center on a raised mound. It would be part of the mitigation process. Put the land between the levee and River to use.
As for the race track. They should emulate the Choctaw casino in Durant with a hotel tower that offers views of the Memphis Skyline and the west along with an entertainment district with bowling, movies, restaurants and such and get rid of that Simi yard. The land between it and the new Welcome center should be a golf course, smaller hotels, convention space, the most ideal spot for a outlet center in the mid south along with other stuff. The crappy motel and marina that front southland needs dozed and that area redeveloped for much more attractive gateway to the casino.
Article on this development
http://goodlifefamilymag.com/2016/07...lace-around-2/
Envision this wrapping around turn three of the track offering views of the river and skyline.