Memphis treasure St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which treats pediatric cancer patients from around the world at no cost to their families, is planning a $1.5 billion expansion as part of a six-year strategic plan that was launched in 2015. It’s expected to add more than 1,000 new positions for faculty and staff. A major component of the expansion is the development of 625,000-square-foot advanced research center that will bring together scientists and clinicians to St. Jude to collaborate openly across departments and pursue breakthroughs in the fight against life-threatening pediatric diseases. The cost of the project is $412-million.
St. Jude’s expansion is said to be the much needed catalyst for revitalization of the Pinch District, which was originally Memphis’ first neighborhood and a melting pot of immigrants. Between the Bass Pro shop in the Pyramid and St. Jude’s expansion, the development will add shops, restaurants, apartments, offices and more to the Pinch District.
