A fight continues to brew in a Memphis neighborhood near the airport, over a trucking company that is trying to move in.
Saia Motor Freight company on Millbranch wants to expand. It’s looking at property bounded by East Raines and Christine Gardens East and Christine in Oakhaven. Residents say not in our backyard.
A community meeting is being held Wednesday night at McFarland Community Center in Parkway Village.
Oakhaven residents say there are several reasons why they don’t want a trucking company near their neighborhood; pollution, traffic, noise, but most importantly, safety.
“I don’t feel like it would be a good idea,” says Glenda McCray.
“Don’t come here. We don’t want it,” says Naketa Franklin.
Oakhaven residents aren’t holding back when asked about a trucking company that wants to build in their neighborhood.
“We have enough chemicals coming from the airport and different other things over here that you have to smell,” says McCray.
Saia Motor Freight is looking to build a new facility near Raines and Tchulahoma. There are established warehouses already in that area, as well as homes.
“It’s gonna be loud trucks all through the night for hours,” says Franklin.
“The schools and the other companies, up and down the street already, so that would be a whole lot of extra traffic,” says McCray.
Speaking of schools, residents say they already worry about the kids.
“Kids walk back and forth to school and some streets already don’t have sidewalks,” says McCray. “We already have to deal with airplanes and like I said a lot of big trucks come through here already from the companies down the street and that would be even more.”
“They already have to be careful walking to and from school with cars big 18-Wheeler trucks. No. Too dangerous,” says Franklin. “We can do something better with the land. You know kids can have things to do after school and in the summertime while parents are at work and school is out.”
We reached out to both city council members and reps with Saia, but we haven’t received a response.
