MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Restoring Madison Avenue in downtown Memphis is the goal of a group called the Madison Avenue Alliance.
"We're not looking for a large vision on Madison Avenue, but we think that with small efforts that are made together, are a larger effort to make Memphis a more livable place and that's what we want to do," said Scott Crosby.
Scott Crosby is part of a group called the Madison Avenue Alliance, which is focused on bringing the downtown strip back to life.
Crosby's first accomplishment is opening up The Mad Earl, an English themed sports-bar.
"We're going to have a lot of flat screen TV's, a lot of cheap beer, cheap liquor, the idea is people are going to come over here for some fun," said Manager Clay Shelton.
The Madison Avenue Alliance also hopes to reshape the area with a prettier streetscape adding more flowers, lighting dark alleys, and repaving sidewalks. The group is looking for partners with any other ideas.
"We're hoping that any other retail store will come. There's already an alteration store, another convenience store, there's the wonderful Madison Hotel up the street. Anything else that can come in we're all fine with," said Crosby.
Plans to revitalize the downtown strip can't move forward without the city's help.
"As the Mayor likes to say, Memphis is a city of choice, and something people think that's a little hokey but I think it's accurate; you have to have the little things in Memphis like good restaurants, good bars, or safety, clean streets and art districts and all of that are the little steps anybody can get involved in taking to make a difference."
