MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 18, 2025-
The City of Memphis has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the former Somerset Apartments site—30 acres of prime land in South Memphis. This opportunity, along with other key properties, is being promoted through the City’s newly launched website: MemphisGroundbreakers.com.
Demolition of the long-vacant Somerset complex in Oakhaven is currently underway. The City is seeking proposals from developers who share Mayor Paul A. Young’s vision of high-quality, affordable housing and vibrant, resilient neighborhoods.
“We see hope on this site, and we’re committed to elevating its use to uplift the Oakhaven community,” said Mayor Young, who grew up in the area. The City acquired the Somerset property following a legal settlement, and its redevelopment aligns with Mayor Young’s Blight Zero initiative—an effort launched in 2024 to hold negligent property owners accountable and to activate underused land across Memphis.
The new Memphis Groundbreakers website serves as a central platform to highlight publicly owned properties ready for investment. While the focus is on parcels owned by the City and the Memphis-Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency, the site also maps available land held by the Shelby County Land Bank and Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Among the other featured sites is Regal Plaza, the former Maple Ridge Apartments property in Whitehaven, offering approximately 8 acres for development. As with Somerset, proposals that prioritize affordable housing and community-oriented projects will be given preference.
For more information and to view available properties, visit MemphisGroundbreakers.com.