For the Corner Office department of our June issue of Memphis Crossroads, Michael Waddell spoke with Paul Morris, president and CEO of Memphis' Center City Commission, about the future of downtown Memphis and the role the CCC plays in the city. In our special web-only content, Michael asks Mr. Morris a few more questions to understand the man and the mission.

Q: When and why was the CCC formed?
The CCC was formed in 1977 because the city leaders at that time correctly identified a problem that was occurring called urban sprawl. Memphis was growing very rapidly geographically, but it was not growing population-wise fast enough to meet that space. Downtown was just deteriorating.

Q: Why did you want to leave private practice and take this position with the CCC?
I love my hometown, and I’m very concerned about its future. What I saw with this job was a way to start addressing some of the problems that Memphis has. As an attorney, you always have someone on the other side that wants you to fail. With this job, everybody wants you to succeed. I’m working for something that I truly believe in, and my personal interests and passions are perfectly aligned with the position.

Q: What is the size of the CCC’s jurisdiction and how many people does it employ?
The jurisdiction of downtown stretches only 6.5 miles, or 2 percent of the 340 square miles of the entire city.The CCC includes 26 employees, including 11 members of the Blue Suede Brigade, who are hospitality ambassadors that walk the streets of downtown. The CCC also manages seven parking garages downtown.

For the complete interview with Paul Morris, pick up the latest issue of Memphis Crossroads Magazine.
 
Memphis Crossroads, the Chamber's quarterly economic development magazine, is available free at select locations throughout Memphis (including Schnuck's markets), via mail for Chamber members and at the Chamber's offices on the 2nd floor of the Falls Building, 22 N. Front Street.