MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - There might be some good news ahead for a place in dire need of a facelift. The Main Street Mall in downtown Memphis isn't much of a mall anymore - it's not much of a street either.
There are broken cobblestones and plywood covering drain holes. Some of the plywood has been in place for such a long time, it's rotting and needs to be replaced.
The first place visitors see in downtown Memphis is normally Beale Street. Main Street is going to rank right up there. And 'rank' is the proper term to use for what was a multi-million dollar renovation project that is now a city fixer upper.
Main Street has been in bad condition for years. Plywood lined some of the broken drain covers as a planned temporary fix. This is at least the fifth year those temporary fixes have been in place, and now they need to be replaced.
Memphis hasn't done much work on Main Street over the last few years. The money has been tight at city hall. When they repair streets, they spend money on the real streets - the ones the cars and trucks use, not just the ones that are used by trolleys and tourists, and those on their lunch break who take every step with caution.
But, there is good news. $30 million from Uncle Sam is heading this way. The funds are for a bicycle trail across the Mississippi River and money for fixing up downtown. Repair work should start sometime this year.
