Congressman Cohen Applauds $18.8 Million in Appropriations for the 9th Congressional District

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today applauded the approval of $18,827,487 for 15 projects for which he sought funding through the annual appropriations process. The funding was approved after markups of bills in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Commerce Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) subcommittees this week, and in the Homeland Security subcommittee in June.

Among the projects approved by the THUD Subcommittee is $3,150,000 for the restoration of the 130-year-old Clayborn Temple where organizers of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers strike met. The historic structure burned down in April.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Memphis and the 9^th District are doing particularly well in this year’s appropriations process. I am pleased to see my requests for the restoration of historic buildings approved and the investments in police and public safety will help protect our community. This is early in the process and these projects must still pass on the House floor and in the Senate before being signed into law, but I am encouraged with the progress so far.”

Other THUD projects approved by the subcommittee include:

1. Historic Mason Temple Restoration Project -- $1,200,000. The funding would be used for the restoration, rehabilitation, and technology system upgrade to the historic site.
2. Historic Sterick Renovation and Restoration Project -- $1,200,000. The funding would be used to restore the historic Sterick building, which was one the tallest buildings in the South before being abandoned and becoming one of Memphis’ largest blighted structure.
3. Covenant Gardens Senior Apartments -- $1,000,000. The funding would be used to build 103 units of affordable housing for lower-income seniors.
4. Monroe Plaza and extended pedestrian infrastructure improvements -- $850,000. The funding would be used to convert an underutilized street into a new downtown plaza.
5. Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades at Montgomery Plaza -- $850,000. The funding for the Memphis Housing Authority will be used to upgrade the existing electrical infrastructure.
6. University of Memphis Park Avenue Campus Upgrades - $850,000. Funds would be used to replace the water and sewer lines, repave and restripe for long term use and pedestrian and vehicle safety on the Park Avenue Campus.
7. Memphis Community Engagement Youth Facility Renovation and Vulnerable Family Housing Project - $850,000. Funds will be used to renovate community facilities serving at-risk youth and provide additional housing for vulnerable families experiencing homelessness.  The city will work in collaboration with The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis and Hospitality Hub.
8. Memphis Homeless Veterans Homes Renovation Project -- $250,000. The funding will be used for renovations to support homeless veterans’ housing. The city will work in collaboration with Alpha Omega Veterans.
9. Reimagining Southwest Tennessee Community College Renovations Project - $250,000. The funding will be used to renovate and modernize key facilities on the campus.
10. Memphis Airport Terminal Modernization and Seismic Project - $4,250,000. The funding, jointly requested with Congressman David Kustoff (TN-8), will be used to seismically protect the airport departure roadway, enhance ADA access, and provide shelter for passengers from inclement weather. 

The CJS Subcommittee approved the following:

1. Memphis Police Department Equipment Upgrades Project -- $1,031,000. The funding would be used to make critical software improvements to keep the Memphis Police Department aligned with best practices in public safety, utilizing predictive policing and data-driven operations.  
2. Enhancing Shelby County District Attorney’s Victims/Witness Unit and Data Collection Services -- $1,031,000. The funding would be used to enhance the victim/witness services program and support digital forensics to recover, analyze and preserve electronic data. 
3. Community Project Funding for City of Memphis Youth Violence Prevention Initiative -- $1,031,000. The funding would be used to expand to a second location in South Memphis and increase services to youth and families to disrupt the pipeline to prison. The city plans to work with the community organizations Heal 901 and Pure Academy.

The Homeland Security Committee approved the following in June:

1. Shelby County Emergency Operations Center -- $1,034,487.  The funding would be used to construct a new emergency operations center that will serve all seven municipalities of Shelby County.

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