Recently opened stands the Crosstown Concourse building, a project spurred by Crosstown Arts to create a multi-use building in the heart of Memphis. The project has a focus on the Memphis community and many founding tenants are Memphis-based nonprofits including, the Poplar Foundation, Pyramid Peak Foundation, and A Step Ahead Foundation. The building also has residential living areas. But living in the old Sears building comes at a steep price, and since its opening rental home prices near the building have been creeping up. One particular building directly across the street from Crosstown Concourse is where the Cleveland Street Flea Market was held.
The Cleveland Street Flea Market has a rich history and a number of vendors have been there since the beginning. It has become a community of its own as well as a staple to the community around it. Crosstown Arts has been managing the flea market for 5 years and leased the building they reside in but the lease is up, and the property value has gone up a considerable amount because of the newly renovated Sears building.
The nearly 20-year-old neighborhood staple has had their last day in that building and a "possible" arrangement is being made for the flea market to move elsewhere in midtown.
Along with that the co-founder of Crosstown Arts recently released a statement about the Flea Market stating, "We operated the market for five years as long as we could, but operating the flea market is not part of Crosstown Arts mission of further cultivating the creative community in Memphis." As they start their search for someone who can operate the flea market and a new building to hold it in, the value around Crosstown continues to rise. Black space continues to be disregarded in every manner as gentrification continually hits Memphis neighborhoods. Often its disguised as revitalization, but many times that is not the case. There are many sides to each case and a number of factors, but I believe the series of events that has occurred is a disregard for black space.
Along with that the co-founder of Crosstown Arts recently released a statement about the Flea Market stating, "We operated the market for five years as long as we could, but operating the flea market is not part of Crosstown Arts mission of further cultivating the creative community in Memphis." As they start their search for someone who can operate the flea market and a new building to hold it in, the value around Crosstown continues to rise. Black space continues to be disregarded in every manner as gentrification continually hits Memphis neighborhoods. Often its disguised as revitalization, but many times that is not the case. There are many sides to each case and a number of factors, but I believe the series of events that has occurred is a disregard for black space.
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