MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Chandell Ryan is taking a hands-on approach to being the new Downtown Memphis Commission president.
"We help to do the cleanups, we pick up litter. We look at blight and ensure that we're removing graffiti," Ryan said.
Those are a few small ways Ryan immediately starting working towards what she said are the DMC's two missions: being an economic driver for business and serving Downtown Memphians.
"We want them to know that we're pushing forward downtown with our marketing efforts and attracting people to come into the space," Ryan said. "We're creating beautiful spaces so people know that there is a place for them to come downtown."
Downtown sees a lot of businesses come and go, in large part because of crime.
"Crime is down over 20% in Memphis, and we're really excited about that," Ryan said, "and there's a number of things we're doing to continue to help with this downward trend."
She plans to build on the downtown safety plan, a driving force for former DMC President - now Memphis Mayor - Paul Young.
"The bicycle cops are back, the pedestrian cops are back," Ryan said. "We've got 33 Blue Suede Brigade Officers. They're actually security officers. They're walking around downtown getting know individuals. They have a hospitality component. They also have a security component. Some longer term things we're working towards, some of it involves us, some the other partners."
Those long-term projects include installing more street lights on Main Street and adjusting pedestrian and traffic flow around the Orpheum Theater.
For now, she's still listening to stakeholder and making downtown more active with new events.
"There are free concerts right there on Beale Street and Handy Park, and we want people to experience that," Ryan said.
The DMC is hosting a free event called 'Alley Dayz' at Barboro Alley on July 10 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. with a live DJ and local vendors.