MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – TheDowntown Memphis Commission reported that the cover charge has generated justunder $310,000 since May.
Jennifer Oswalt from the Downtown MemphisCommission said the cover charge will be used to add more lights, a policetower, and a better fence around Handy Park.
“We have set aside the money for safety andsecurity measures only,” Oswalt said.
The Downtown Memphis Commission said the feealso helps with crowd control to help with safety.
“It just deters the crowd just enough to keepit safe,” Oswalt said. “So, it doesn’t change the demographics, it justslightly deters particularly young people who might not have an extra $5 fromcoming in mass and not really going into any business and just hanging out onthe street which adds to overcrowding in the street itself.”
Lucille Catron, executive director of BealeStreet Development Corporation, said the cover fee has been hurting sales forbusinesses in Beale Street.
She said the fee deters people from coming to Bealeto spend money at the businesses.
“You don’t charge the citizens of Memphis thatcome onto a public street,” Catron said. “We all are responsible for security.All of the business owners on Beale Street are responsible for security.”
Catron said the city should be using its ownmoney to fund more safety measures on Beale.
“The businesses are suffering,” Catron said. “We’reall suffering, because the traffic is not here.”
The Downtown Memphis Commission said the feewill happen on weekends until September.
Here is a breakdown of how much revenue hasbeen collected from the initiative:
5/10-5/11 $28,780
5/16-5/18 $25,110
5/24-5/27 $77,330
5/31-6/1 $38,515
6/7-6/8 $25,460
6/14-6/15 $33,975
6/21-6/22 $32,765
6/28-6/29 $48,040