City to Revamp Elvis Presley Boulevard

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The City of Memphis is finally keeping good on its promise to spruce up "The King's" boulevard. City council chairman Harold Collins said city engineers are working on blueprints to revamp Elvis Presley Boulevard.

Graceland executives decided back in 2006, the mansion and surrounding area needed a makeover. They estimated it would cost $250M, but the city needed convincing. Now, the councilman who oversees that Whitehaven district said all of his colleagues are on board.

Heading back home to Indiana, Samantha Horton and her boys stopped in Memphis to sight-see.

"I went right past the visitor's center," said Horton. After exiting on Elvis Presley Boulevard, she was confused, and turned around. No signs pointed her towards the Elvis Presley mansion. Horton then added, "There was a lot of traffic, very busy, a little difficult to navigate."

It's a sentiment shared by many who travel this popular strip in the city's Whitehaven neighborhood. City councilman Harold Collins, who represents the district, said get ready for a facelift.

"This is the gateway to Elvis Presley's mansion, but also the gateway to a great neighborhood and a great community and so at the end of the day, we're going to make sure it reflects that," said Collins.

Collins said the city council has long wanted to enhance this area. In fact, it's been on the capital improvement program for a long time, but budget battles were the only roadblock. Support was there.

Collins said, "We finally got the funding to do it, we finally got it prioritized, and as you can see, it's something that's well needed."

The total cost for the renovations is expected to cost $46.6M. The city council has set aside $1.8M, and the state threw in $4.5M. The rest of the money comes from the federal government. The enhancements will improve the utility wiring and poles, streets, and sidewalks. Collins said the area will also be lined with trees and streetlights.

"We know that Graceland Enterprises is about ready to make a move, and so we want to be ready," said Collins.

Since 2006, executives at Graceland have talked about revamping the mansion and the area surrounding it. They were expected to spend $250M. Right now, Elvis Presley Enterprises isn't saying much about the project or its progress.

Horton said, "I think Elvis Presley is a big part of Memphis, and he would do it if he could. I think it's important to keep it going, keep it renovated."

Horton just hopes her next visit to Memphis will come with better directions.

Collins expects the project to take anywhere from 2 to 3 years before it is entirely complete.