MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Some Memphians living in downtown area aren't happy about future plans for the former Commercial Appeal building that's sat vacant since 2019.
According to The Memphis Business Journal, part of the property on Union Avenue near Sun studios is now owned by a company that's known for storage facilities.
ABC24 spoke with one downtown Memphis advocate about those concerns.
Jerred Price, the president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Memphis said once his group found out who bought part of the Commercial Appeal building concerns began pouring in throughout the community.
According to Price, he doesn't believe the downtown area needs another storage facility. He said there's already numerous ones near the old Commercial Appeal building.
Price said he believes whatever goes into the building should benefit the community, considering the destinations for Memphians, visitors and the growing Edge district.
"You're on iconic Union Avenue a couple blocks away from the wonderful Peabody Hotel. You're across the street from Sun Studios where all of our tourists go. This site could be so much more than a storage facility," Price said.
Memphian Hunter Nolan told ABC24 he is still in shock the building has been sold off.
"I hate that it's sold. It's kind of the last-stay of newspapers in Memphis, and now it's going out," Nolan said.
Nolan said the former Commercial Appeal building holds a special place in his heart.
"I threw papers back around 50 years ago and it was around and it's still around. It's a main-stay of Memphis," Nolan said.
Future details aren't yet clear ahead of a possible approval by the Shelby County land use control board.
Nolan believes the space should be a draw for something other than storage units.
"Some kind of entertainment center — different floors you know to have with kids and parents and everybody can go have a good time," said Nolan.
ABC24 reached out to the company who reportedly purchased part of the former Commercial Appeal building but they have yet to respond.