MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – The first meeting has been held to figure out how to save ahistoric African American community.
21 people from the local community met Wednesday for the firsttime as the Orange Mound Task Force.
About a month ago, Shelby County Assessor Melvin Burgess said thatproperty values in that neighborhood have fallen as much as 30% in the last 10years.
The group wants to create a plan to completely restore the historicareas.
“As the assessor, one piece that I like to lookat is that how do I get these houses back on the roll so that we can get theproperty taxes on these homes and these empty properties,” said Burgess.
One of the goals is to cultivate economic growth anddevelopment without displacing people.
Burgess also wants to offer first-time home ownershipopportunities for millennials.