Raleigh Springs Civic Center

Raleigh Springs Civic Center is a 65 multi-acre civic center that is located in Memphis, Tennessee. The property is owned by the Memphis City Council, and was constructed on the site of the former Raleigh Springs Mall.

Raleigh Springs Civic Center
Raleigh Springs Civic Center
General information
LocationMemphis, Tennessee
Address3384 Austin Peay Hwy, Memphis, TN 38128, United States
Current tenantsMemphis Police Department
Construction startedMarch 1, 2018
Completed2020 (fall)
InauguratedNovember 19, 2020
Cost$45 million
OwnerMemphis City Council
Design and construction
Architecture firmOT Marshall Architects
Main contractorZellner Construction Services LLC
Front entrance to the Raleigh Library in Memphis, TN

History

The Raleigh Springs Civic Center was under construction on the site of the previous Raleigh Springs Mall in 2018, until the construction was completed with the civic center in fall 2020. The Raleigh Springs Civic Center houses the Memphis Police Department Old Allen Precinct, Union Avenue Traffic Division, and the Raleigh Library.[1]

The site features a pond with a scenic walking trail that is open to the public. A skate park on site is also open to the public. The Raleigh Library features an observation deck overlooking the 11-acre pond. It is designed by OT Marshall Architects.[2] The road leading into the civic center is named for Bill Morrison, a member of the Memphis City Council, representing District 1, from 2008 to 2018 and who championed the project.[3]

The civic center was "unofficially" opened in the spring of 2020.[4] The official ribbon cutting occurred on November 19, 2020.[5] The virtual "ribbon cutting" ceremony was live streamed for the community by The City of Memphis, with limited number of invitees due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Tennessee.[6][7]

Formation

After the demolition of the former Raleigh Springs Mall was complete, The City of Memphis started breaking ground of the new Raleigh Springs Civic Center in December 2017.[8] The property was going to be named as ''Raleigh Springs Town Center'' but later came up with a different name due to unknown reasons. The construction didn't start until March 2018.[9]

Issues

As of July 2020, Construction was slowed down at the Raleigh Springs Civic Center with the new Raleigh Library, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before the ribbon cutting ceremony was held on November 19, 2020. Due to covid19 restrictions, the ribbon-cutting was only attended by invited local dignitaries; however, it was live-streamed by the City of Memphis Housing and Community Development Office. Mayor Jim Stickland attended and introduced the new street name, Morrison Drive, in honor of Clerk Bill Morrison of Memphis, TN.

Artwork

The Great Wall of Raleigh mural is still under creation, featuring mural art from local artists. The Great Wall of Raleigh runs behind the Raleigh Springs Civic Center.[10] Works by local artists are also placed along the walking trail that borders the retention pond, inside the library and the police precinct.

  • Raleigh Springs Civic Center Gallery
  • Raleigh Library located at Raleigh Springs Civic Center
  • Image of flags at Raleigh Springs Civic Center at Morrison Drive roundabout
  • Image of Memphis Police Department Austin Peay Station
  • Image of Raleigh Library in Memphis, TN

References
  1. "Former Raleigh Springs Mall transformed into Raleigh Springs Civic Center". WREG.com. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  2. "Raleigh Springs Town Center 'On Track and On Budget'". Memphis Daily News. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  3. "Bill Morrison". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  4. "Raleigh's newest community anchor springing into place". Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  5. "Raleigh Springs Civic Center". City of Memphis. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  6. "COVID-19 pandemic causes delay in Raleigh Springs Civic Center". localmemphis.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  7. Poindexter, Arianna. "City leaders hold ribbon cutting for Raleigh Springs Civic Center". www.wmcactionnews5.com. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  8. "Strickland looks back on 2017 with optimism in challenges of new year". WMC Action News 5. 2018-01-01. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  9. "City plans to break ground on new development in Raleigh this month". WMC Action News 5. 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  10. "Raleigh Spring Civic Center". City of Memphis. 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
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