MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Riverside Drive will once again open back up on weekends.
Memphis Chief Operating Officer Chandell Ryan appeared before the Memphis City Council Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, as they discussed the closure, which happened following construction which had previously shut down the road for nine months.
The section of road between Georgia Avenue and Union Avenue reopened on Nov. 13 after it was blocked off for Tom Lee Park renovations in February.
Ryan told the council the closure was part of the Memphis Police Department's plan to reduce crime on weekends, but that plan is now suspended.
Members of the Memphis River Parks Partnership previously cited traffic safety as the reason for the closure.
"Riverside Drive was closed on the weekends following along with the safety weekend plan that MPD had for downtown,” said Ruan. “At this point, that weekend plan has been suspended for the time period and Riverside Drive will follow along with that.”
Critics of the closure complained that it forced heavy traffic through other residential areas of downtown Memphis, and that it was the only road to and from the park with free parking. They complained closing the roads forced families to other parking which could cost $20 or more. They also said it was unfair to the elderly and those with disabilities by forcing them to walk long distances up and down the bluff to get to the park on weekends.
“We are thankful to the Memphis City Council for hearing our concerns and opening up the street 24/7 for all to use,” said Jerred Price, President Emeritus of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, in a statement after the meeting.