Memphis mall to receive divine makeover

Years of increased crime in the Hickory Hill community has prompted several business owners and residents to jump ship. As a result, the neighborhood is filled with vacant retail spaces to remind passersby of how the neighborhood once flourished. Now, some residents of the community are taking a stand to revitalize the neighborhood-one that includes relying on a higher power.

The World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church purchased the Hickory Ridge Mall in early October for 1.4 million dollars. The purchase included the mall minus the anchor stores, and it included the Applebee's restaurant located just outside of the mall.

They plan to make the space a family friendly environment including something for people of all ages.

Plans for the space currently include a movie theater, retail space and even a kid friendly zone they said would be similar to the Incredible Pizza Company. The mall may be undergoing renovations to make way for the new additions, but one old feature will remain. The multi-level carrousel will be up and running again once the mall is reopened.

The new space will potentially feature several community services such as domestic violence classes, employment training, a pharmacy, legal services, counseling and mortgage assistance.

Albert Cousins, director of Economic Development for the church, said the Applebee's restaurant will be converted into a Christian singles bar, but there will be no "bumping and grinding" here folks.

He said the place will be a wholesome atmosphere where singles can mingle while listening to Christian music, eating food or watching the big game on television. Additionally, the new bar will have a no alcohol policy.

Cousins said the project would greatly improve the dying community.

"We figured if we could create some kind of synergy there and have bodies and people and cars coming back to the mall, it will help all of the retailers around that mall do better," Cousins said. "We're looking to create an economic boost for the community."

The mall is currently damaged after a tornado swept through back in February, causing severe damage to the roof and heating and air units.

After a few months of trying to hang in there, mall management finally sent tenants packing back in July. The mall then went up for sale, and the city planned to acquire the space. After the city decided not to go through with the purchase, World Overcomers stepped up and bought the mall.

Members of the Hickory Hill community had the chance to get more information about the purchase earlier this week, as Cousins spoke at a community meeting. The meeting, held by the Southeast Memphis Community Development Corporation along with The University of Memphis, focused on many of the issues surrounding the Hickory Hill community.

After he spoke, Cousins allowed the crowd to ask questions about the space. One concern was whether the space would be a safe place to shop.

This could be a valid concern amongst Hickory Hill residents, considering last year's crime statistics for the area. Nearly fifty percent of all of the crimes committed in the city of Memphis in 2007 took place right in the Hickory Hill community, according to Larry Godwin, Memphis Police Department director.

Crime in the area has even sparked some people to refer to the area as "Hickory Hood," but Cousins says a change is coming.

Although there may have been crime at the mall in the past, he said security in the new center would be seen and felt.

"We're going to have a security company, and we're going to co-mingle them with the Memphis Police Department, and then we are also looking at creating a substation inside of the mall as well and hopefully give some space and services and facilities and equipment to make it comfortable for the police officers to want to come in and out of the mall," Cousins said.

Beanie Self, executive director for the Southeast Memphis Community Development Corporation, said she believes the neighborhood can be as safe as it once was.

"I've seen examples of some of the faith based communities that have purchased malls like in Los Angeles and Chicago and other communities and they have done a excellent job in trying to transform those communities," Self said.

Self points out downtown Memphis as an example of how a community can be restored over time. She moved to Downtown Memphis in 1979 and remembers how things were then, and sees how much it has all changed.

"Peabody Hotel was closed...nobody was downtown," Self said. "My husband was a practicing lawyer and all you saw was lawyers and street people and look at where it is today."

So far, the community has embraced the idea of the new mall opening, but Cousins does not expect a rebound to come overnight. Once the mall reopens, he said the revitalization will probably take twelve to eighteen months to occur. Cousins said some people will likely wait it out to see how safe the mall is, and once they see the difference-they will come out and support the mall.

Those interested in checking out the new mall will have to wait until it is completely renovated. It is currently set to reopen in about six months.