The Memphis Housing Authority and its partners on Tuesday officially began tearing down Foote Homes, the city's last traditional public housing project, to clear the way for a massive redevelopment.

Using mostly federal dollars, MHA and the city of Memphis plan to replace Foote Homes with the $209 million South City development scheduled for completion in 2021. The South City plan calls for 712 mixed-income residences, work and lifestyle resource centers, a grocery store, upgraded parks and better connectivity to the rest of Downtown, to name a few of the amenities.

Congressman Steve Cohen, who was instrumental in securing federal funding for the project, said South City will help secure a "better way of living" for residents, who were given vouchers to temporarily relocate.

Back at City Hall later, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said his hope is that private development will follow the public investment, which includes $30 million in capital funding from the city.

"It's a rebirth of a great and historic neighborhood," he said of Tuesday's celebration.

Reach Ryan Poe at poe@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at @ryanpoe.