Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, commonly referred to as The BLVD, has set in motion a significant $310 million redevelopment project for its 23-acre Midtown campus, promising to inject new life into Memphis' Medical District. "For more than 100 years, the BLVD has been a catalyst for positive change in Memphis," Senior Pastor J. Lawrence Turner remarked in a statement obtained by WREG. The multifaceted development plan is expected to reach completion by 2030.
The blueprint for transformation includes the construction of over 600 multi-family housing units, a select-service hotel with 125 rooms, and 45,000 square feet of retail space to greatly enhance the area’s availability of services, including dining and shopping. Turner articulated to Action News 5 that the forthcoming development should meet a variety of needs, catering to both the workforce and students in the Medical District. The planned housing aims to to accommodate a wide range of income levels, while the retail spaces could see the inclusion of local businesses.
A notable aspect of the plan is a 90,000-square-foot health and wellness facility estimated to cost $32 million, as highlighted by a FOX13 Memphis report. This facility is projected to feature medical offices and fitness centers among other health-centric services. In addition, the plan includes a state-of-the-art parking facility with over 1,000 spaces, geared up for the additional density and incorporating EV chargers.
Moreover, the project includes the relocation of the church itself to the corner of Poplar and Montgomery, with a newly envisioned 73,000 square foot sanctuary that can accommodate up to 2,200 worshippers. Alongside space for worship, the church will also host a café and multipurpose areas designed for broader community engagement, according to WREG.
Turner shared with Action News 5 the intent behind the development: to foster community, connectivity, and fulfill the BLVD's legacy of contributing to the advancement of Memphis. Pastor Turner also stressed that the funding for the project will not come from church collections.
