Elvis estate is a boon that needs area boost
One of the most successful and well-visited landmarks in the City of Memphis is the Elvis Presley estate and shops in the Whitehaven community. It draws over a half million tourists annually.
Elvis’s home draws these tourists from all parts of the world and gives them an opportunity to understand the Memphis experience. However, because of the great success it has achieved, more could and should be done to be more community friendly and make some capital improvements in the areas surrounding their historic attraction. Yes improvements have been made, but it seems only for the direct benefit of the estate.
There’s nothing innately negative regarding making self-enhancing improvements, but being a bit more philanthropic will help Whitehaven as well as the Elvis estate to be more successful perceptively and financially. For example, couldn’t there be a half-price day for school-age students, or a $1 day for seniors citizens.?
One of the area vacant buildings could be used to assist some not-for profit, 501c3 organization to teach computer skills, mentor young boys or provide etiquette classes for young girls. Endeavors such as these will also work to endear the community to the Elvis estate.
Many Whitehaven residents have never visited the estate and have no plans to, because they feel alienated and disconnected from their vision. An effort of inclusion, that will involve different sectors of the Whitehaven community, will provide windfall profits as well as positive people production.
The drugs, crime and traffic in parts of Whitehaven is more of a problem than the Estate of Elvis Presley should ever be responsible for and should not even start to expand their efforts towards, until more city and government money goes to cleaning that neighborhood.