What Has Been Done In His Tenure

During Mayor Willie W. Herenton’s Tenure…

Fiscal Accountability

The City’s savings account increased from a dangerous low in 1992 of $3.5 million to $69 million, maintaining the City’s favorable AA bond rating.

The City administration presented a balanced budget every year, despite such fiscal emergencies as ice and wind storms and increased security risks due to the September 11, 2003 terrorist attacks.

Property taxes were increased only three times in the past 13 years.

Sewer rates were increased only once in the past 22 years, making Memphis’ sewer fees the lowest of the 250 largest cities in the United States.

The Administration continuously seeks alternative revenue sources, such as the proposed storm water fee, rather than solely relying on property taxes as the City’s main source of revenue.

City government maintained strong fiscal budgetary management in General Fund Operations and Capital Improvement Budgets.

City government implemented a five-year budget plan and developed a five-year fiscal and management plan.

Quality of Life

Memphis secured the Memphis Grizzlies NBA franchise, and constructed, on time and within budget, the FedExForum – a world class, state-of-the-art arena in downtown Memphis.

Memphis secured Triple-A baseball franchise the Memphis Redbirds, and used less than five percent of public funds to add AutoZone Park baseball stadium to its repertoire of sporting venues.

Opened the doors to the new state-of-the-art Canon Performing Arts Center, using private donations amounting to more than $5 million.

The Memphis Zoo became one of only four locations in the United States to have a Giant Panda exhibit—a feat achieved through a public-private partnership that produced private donations of more than $11 million.

The new $60 million Central Library “InfoHub” was constructed using approximately $15 million in private donations.

The Stax musical legacy was revived with the construction of the Stax Museum and Music Academy. This $20 million “Soulsville Revitalization” project was leveraged with $2.5 million in City of Memphis funds.

Downtown Memphis underwent a renaissance that resulted in $1.7 billion in new private investment. Today, downtown Memphis is the centerpiece of community renewal and source of pride for citizens.

As part of a 50-year master riverfront development plan, Memphis’ riverfront morphed into an easily accessible attraction with the completion of such riverfront development projects as the Tom Lee Park expansion, Riverside Drive enhancement, and the construction of the Riverfront and Riverbluff walkways and the new Tennessee Visitor’s Center. Additionally, more projects are in the works to transform this invaluable asset into an economic boon.

City of Memphis government constructed two new state-of-the-art community centers, renovated nearly every city playground in the park system, and developed the first City Parks Master Plan in the park system’s 100-year history.

Economic Development

More than 78,051 new jobs were created in Memphis and $12.2 billion in private capital was invested (this figure does not include the projected $1 billion of private investment for the year 2004, making 2004 the eighth consecutive year the City has reached the billion dollar mark in private investment).

More than 30,000 individuals were removed from Memphis’ poverty rolls during the first five years of the Memphis 2005 Economic Development Plan.

Based on a 2004 economic analysis, Memphis was ranked in the top 10 percent of metro areas in economic strength — ranking 23rd out of 361 metro areas.

Major corporations reinvested in Memphis: FedEx erected its world headquarters; UPS opened a major hub; St. Jude experienced a $1 billion expansion and significant employment growth; International Paper increased its employment numbers; Smith Nephew expansions totaled more than $50 million; Sofamor Danek corporate headquarters and new research facility created more than 500 new technology jobs; and, Technicolor added more than 1,200 new jobs. In total, Memphis’ growth represents 25 percent of the entire state of Tennessee from 1996-2001.

City of Memphis provided more than 100 loans to small businesses. Additionally, the Renaissance Business Center provided technical assistance to hundreds of businesses. Further, the Division of Housing & Community Development provided bonding, technical assistance and loans to small and minority contractors.

While encouraging the private sector and quasi-governmental agencies to financially support minority and women owned businesses, City government continuously increases its financial support.

Local leaders initiated a five-year strategic plan that included the Memphis City Council, City of Memphis administration, business leaders and citizens.
Education/Training

City of Memphis government committed $175 million to fund the installation of air conditioning in local public schools, upgrade existing schools and construct new ones.

City of Memphis funded the construction of the Downtown Elementary School.

City of Memphis government established an Office of Youth Services that provides summer jobs to more than 2,000 youth each year.

City of Memphis established the Second Chance Ready 4 Work Program to help ex-offenders obtain employment.

Neighborhoods

The federal government designated Memphis a “Renewal Community” – a key economic incentive that awards federal tax credits to businesses that locate to key parts of the city and/or hire residents from these areas.

Memphis received more than $100 million in direct HOPE VI grants that resulted in more than $200 million in dollars leveraged.

Memphis expanded affordable housing opportunities, helping more than 12,500 individuals to become new homeowners through the down payment assistance program.

The Memphis Housing Authority and the City’s Housing & Community Development Division completed major neighborhood revitalization efforts in such communities as LeMoyne Garden/College Park/Soulsville, the Uptown Redevelopment Area, Fowler Homes, New Chicago and University Place/Lamar Terrace.

Transportation

The Memphis Area Transit Authority opened the trolley system in 1993, expanded it in 1997 to include the Riverfront Loop, and expanded it again in 2004 to run along Madison Avenue to the Medical Center.

Central Station was renovated and reopened in 1999.

The North End terminal opened in 1998.

The American Way Transit Center opened in 2001.

The Burlington Northern Railroad and the Canadian National Railroad both have new intermodal facilities under construction that will help retain Memphis’ position as a leading transportation and logistics center of the country.

Memphis International Airport added domestic service, international flights, a new “World Runway,” and for nine consecutive years maintained its ranking as the largest cargo airport in the world.

Pinnacle Airlines expanded its capacity at the Memphis International Airport.
Safety

The Memphis Police Department (MPD) hired more than 600 new police officers.

The MPD established “Community Policing Units” in 14 neighborhoods.

Homicides were reduced in 2003 by 17 percent.

The Downtown Entertainment District Police Unit was created in April 2004.

The MPD received the Center City Commission’s Vision Award for policing downtown.

In October 2003, the MPD received the National Crime Prevention Award for Excellence and Community Policing.

Memphis residents who took the Memphis Poll in 2004 ranked the Fires Services Division as the top division in City government for the 11th consecutive year.

Memphis Fire Services hired more than 100 new firefighters.

Memphis Fire Services reduced fire fatalities by an average of 32 percent and increased fire safety inspections by 30 percent, resulting in the abatement of an average of more than 11,000 fire hazards annually.

Memphis Fire Services performed more than 12,000 Commercial Anti-Neglect inspections, reducing blight in Memphis and increasing property values by an estimated value of more than $20 million.

City of Memphis added seven new fire stations to serve citizens in the downtown, Hickory Hill, Cordova, and Berryhill areas.

City of Memphis built a new fire station on Humphries Boulevard to replace Fire Station No. 44 on Walnut Grove.

Recent National Media Recognition

The Memphis economic development team was recognized as the 5th best among the south's top economic development groups.

Expansion Management Magazine ranked Memphis 14th on its “America’s Hottest Cities for Manufacturing Expansions and Relocations” list.

Memphis ranked in the Top 10 among “America’s Top 40 Real Estate Markets” according to Expansion Management magazine.

Memphis was named 2002 "Major Market of the Year" by Southern Business and Development.

Memphis was cited by Site Selection Magazine, Conway Data Inc.’s New Plant Database as 5th out of the top metro areas in 2002 for new and expanded facilities, ranking just behind the largest metro areas of Chicago, Detroit, and New York. Memphis ranked above Minneapolis, Charlotte, Washington, D. C., and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Mayor Herenton was selected as the 2003 Municipal Leader of the Year by the national publication “American City and County Magazine.”