MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A rehab project to fix up Elvis Presley Boulevard in Whitehaven cleared its first hurdle Tuesday.
A Memphis City Council committee passed Councilman Harold Collins' plan for $16 million over two years, which would be added to $27 million the state agreed to pay for the project.
Collins said because Graceland is one of the world's top tourist destinations, the city needs to make the neighborhood more presentable.
"It's been 35 years since Elvis' death and I believe close to 30 years Graceland has been open to tourism," he said. "The people in Whitehaven have been waiting 30 years to demonstrate a commitment to the world that this particular area is important to us and important to our state."
The work, if approved, should be done by 2015. The plan goes before the full council on Feb. 21.
