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As Corporations Eye Memphis, Eyesores get "MEMFix-ed"

John Paul Shaffer is executive director of BLDG Memphis.
Christopher Blank/WKNO-FM
John Paul Shaffer is executive director of BLDG Memphis.
John Paul Shaffer is executive director of BLDG Memphis.
Credit Christopher Blank/WKNO-FM
John Paul Shaffer is executive director of BLDG Memphis.

Memphis is among a host of cities trying to lure the new Amazon headquarters, called HQ2, with major incentives. City leaders recently promised $60 million in perks, including $10 million for upgrades to transportation infrastructure. But John Paul Shaffer of BLDG Memphis says that efforts to enhance the city's attractiveness to businesses are ongoing.

Shaffer says that one low-cost, high-profile solution was MEMFix, a volunteer street-party/clean-up event that has so far brought attention to Broad Avenue, Crosstown, South Memphis, the Edge District and other locations. 

On Friday, Oct. 13, another MEMFix clean-up will take place near Cleveland and Madison to breathe life into the high-traffic but underperforming business area. 

Shaffer speaks with WKNO about the effort and what corporations are looking for in moving to a new city.

Copyright 2017 WKNO

A native "Florida Man," Christopher started in this business as a copy clerk at the renowned St. Petersburg Times before persuading editors to let him write. He moved to Memphis in 2001 to cover arts and entertainment at the Commercial Appeal. Since then, he has contributed to nearly every publication in Shelby County, writing features on everything from the Civil War to Civil Rights. Also, Elvis... a lot of Elvis.
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