Memphis is opening an emergency cooling center today, Tuesday, June 9, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hospitality Hub, giving residents, particularly people experiencing homelessness, a cool, air-conditioned place to escape dangerous heat. The city's transit agency says free transportation to the site will be available beginning at 4:00 p.m., and the Hub has a dedicated sign-up line for ride requests.
Where It Is And How To Get A Free Ride
As posted by Memphis Area Transit Authority, the cooling center will be held at the Hospitality Hub, 590 Washington Ave, and MATA will operate free rides beginning at 4:00 p.m. To request a pickup, call the Hub’s dedicated sign-up line at 901-486-0939. The post was published Tuesday afternoon.
What The Hospitality Hub Provides
The Hospitality Hub operates the city's emergency Warming/Cooling Center and states that guests can check in without ID, receive blankets and sack meals while supplies last, and use the space for temporary respite from the heat. The Hub also notes that its regular services may be limited during a Warming/Cooling Center event and that the center is not a substitute for overnight shelter, according to the Hospitality Hub.
Other Resources And Context
The City of Memphis maintains information on emergency warming and cooling operations and partners with agencies for transportation and shelter referrals, per the City of Memphis. Local reporting has also pointed readers to nearby shelter options such as the Memphis Union Mission and MIFA, which have been mentioned during past cooling-center activations by outlets like Action News 5.
Officials recommend calling ahead to arrange transport and monitoring the Hub’s social pages for last-minute updates. For quick reference: Hospitality Hub, 590 Washington Ave; MATA ride requests: 901-486-0939.
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