Whitehaven Speaks Out About Graceland's Change Of Heart

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - For about a year, residents in Whitehaven have been looking forward to some major changes in their neighborhood. Changes they thought would bring in more revenue but this week everything changed.

In Brief:

-Graceland pulls out of makeover for neighborhood surrounding Graceland.
-Whitehaven business owners were counting on revitalization.
- CKX, the owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises says the economy is the reason they had to change it's course.

"I think it's unfortunate that they would come up with some excuses. It seems that every time it comes to our communities there's some excuse, rational reason why things can't get done, be done," Reverend Stanford L. Hunt at Beahler Baptist.

The plan would've provided a makeover for the area surrounding Graceland, including a new heartbreak hotel but CKX, the owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises says the economy is the reason they had to change it's course.

"Everybody knows the economy is taking a hit but we still need that money to build up Whitehaven to get things back to rolling," said Whitehaven resident, Colin Rayborn.

Business owners like Hazel Moore, who is known as the mayor of Whitehaven, says she and other business owners were counting on the revitalization to bring more customers to their stores and says the move to cancel plans hurts more than Whitehaven.

"It's gonna be a difference in the money the city will receive for not bringing it," said Moore.

Others say CKX should think of the tourists who bring dollars into the community and walk away with a view of a run down Memphis.

"It ought to be done because all of the tourist that come in here we don't want them to see raggedy buildings, torn streets or empty buildings," said Rev. Hunt.

Memphians say there's no place like the Bluff City when it comes to building successful communities.

"I really think they would really get their money back in terms of the investment they would make and Memphis is always a good place to make a good investment," said Rev. Hunt.

With everything on hold, Moore only has one question.

"What is gonna happen for the future? That's the next answer I want to hear- what the future gonna be, not just where it stopped," said Moore.