Less than four months after Lambuth University closed its doors, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for what has become Jackson Walk Phase I.

Since the Oct. 19, 2011 ceremony here’s a few figures about what has evolved in the downtown area – and what is to come.

Jackson Walk Phase I consists of 149 apartments – no vacancies.

The LiFT Wellness Center has over 5,100 members.

A boutique, grocery store, a restaurant, insurance agency, and a beauty salon occupy 86 percent of the 18,500-square-feet in The Shops of Jackson Walk.

Thirty new homes have been built near Jackson Walk.

But there’s more.

It’s an easy walk from Jackson Walk Phase I to High Point Apartments at Jackson Walk on West Deaderick Street.

The complex will offer 120 one-bedroom apartments, and the first tenant is scheduled to move in November 20.

Forty single family homes will also be built near the new apartment complex.

There’s still more.

Remember Lambuth University?

After the school closed in 2011, it re-opened in the fall of the same year, and 50 students enrolled at Jackson’s first four-year public university.

Enrollment for the 2017-18 school year has the number near the 1,000 mark.

The number grows considering the number of people on campus who make up administration, faculty, staff, vendors, meetings and events.

About 25 blighted homes have been demolished in the area between the LiFT Center and the University of Memphis Lambuth campus – all of which is less than one mile apart.

(PHOTO: From left – Bobby Arnold, Vicki Lake, Jerry Gist, Hal Crocker and Henry Turley break ground at what is now Jackson Walk Phase I. The West Tennessee Farmers’ Market is visible in the background.)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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