MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Some have dubbed it the 'Great Wall of Memphis,' although it's more of a bunker than a wall and nobody thinks it's great. Almost a year ago a roof collapsed at a building on Madison Avenue, between Second and Main Streets. Since then, Madison has been blocked in one way or another to traffic.
The roof collapsed on 118 Madison on March 28, 2011 and all sorts of trash fell on the street. Because of the potential of more trash falling, the street was shut down.
Paul Morris with the Downtown Memphis Commission needs a few aspirin every time he thinks about it.
"This is where people come and form their impressions of Memphis … Having a huge bunker that for many months slowed down the traffic and you couldn't even walk by there, and it's nothing short of embarrassing."
In the last few weeks there's been another development. Cars and trucks can only head east, but trolleys can go east and west.
So every now and then somebody thinks its okay to go where trolleys have trod. But the cops don't like it, so they've been ticketing people - a lot of people.
"We've seen the police in here every day. They park right down there and stop everybody from coming through," said Michelle Williams, who works downtown.
Of course, it's not like there aren't any signs saying don't drive on this street.
But Morris says it's an example of how difficult it can be to get rid of blight in downtown Memphis.
The city sued the people who owned the property; the case is scheduled to be in court next week, but there are already requests for a delay.
That means the 'Great Wall of Memphis' might be hanging around for awhile.
