Orange Mound Library breathes new life into old Melrose High building

By Bill Dries – Reporter, Daily Memphian

April 28, 2024

Six days after a gunfight in Orange Mound Park that killed two people and injured seven others, Memphis Mayor Paul Young addressed the community during the opening of the Orange Mound Library.

The shooting occurred during an unpermitted block party called “Back 2 The Trenches.” Video showed people openly carrying weapons before the gunfire.

Young acknowledged the community’s pain and said those responsible would be held accountable.

“It’s heartbreaking to see our young people losing their lives in such a senseless way,” he said. “We are going to make sure we get those responsible. And they will be held accountable.”

He described the new library, located in the former Melrose High School building, as part of a broader effort to improve the community.

“This is part of the formula. This is important. This is the future of Orange Mound,” Young said.

The building, originally constructed in 1938, had been vacant since 1979. It has been renovated into a library, with plans for 28 units of senior housing on the upper floors.

The $19 million project was funded by:

• $10 million from the city’s Accelerate Memphis capital program

• $4.1 million in federal Community Development Block Grants

• $2 million in city capital funding

• $3 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen

The library includes a genealogy section focused on Black history and cultural displays highlighting Memphis’ Black heritage.

City officials credited community members and alumni for pushing to preserve and repurpose the building rather than demolish it.

Ashley Cash, director of Housing and Community Development, said, “We are so thankful you didn’t give up and we didn’t.”

Alumna Hazell Glover Jones said the community will continue advocating for a local middle school so students can remain in Orange Mound throughout their education.

“Our stories matter,” she said. “This building belongs to all of us.”

Young noted that the building had stood vacant for decades, affecting how residents viewed their community.

“If it looks like no one cares, people behave as such,” he said.