in this issue:
Rezoning In SouthCBID
Main Street Demo Block Update
Downtown Safety Report
Development Briefs Available PropertySpotlight
December MeetingSchedule
CCC ContactInformation
The Downtown Developer
is a monthly publication
produced by the
Memphis Center
City Commission
114 North Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
phone 901.575.0540
toll free 888.303.0002
fax 901.575-0541
downtownmemphis.com
All rights reserved.
Rezoning In South Central Business Improvement District
Last month City Council approved a comprehensive plan and rezoning for the South Central Business Improvement District (SCBID). The plan, which includes seven new zoning designations, was designed to encourage appropriate development around the new arena and the rest of the SCBID. Prior to approval, the zoning in the SCBID was largely industrial and had become an impediment to residential and retail growth in the area.
The approved SCBID plan represents months of effort by the Office of Planning and Development and the Center City Commission as well as extensive input from residents, business owners and community leaders. Highlights of the plan include a Sports & Entertainment district around the new arena, an expanded South Main district, a South Downtown Business Park, and several residential designations.
Click here for detailed information about the plan.
For more information on SCBID rezoning, contact Brad Elmer, CCC Business Development Analyst, at (901) 575-0552.
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Main Street Demo Block Update
The Center City Commission continues to make progress towards redeveloping the Main Street Demonstration Block, the block of blighted property along Main Street between Gayoso and Union. For the past year, the Center City Commission has been working with eighteen property owners of the twenty-six parcels on the block to prompt redevelopment. Latest developments include:
Family Dollar Building
The Center
City Development Corporation issued a request for development proposals for the Family Dollar Building (94 South Main) in October. Proposals for the building were reviewed by the Main Street Committee. Last month the Committee recommended that the building be sold to R&M Enterprises, the entity that owns the two buildings adjacent to the Family Dollar building: the Stuarts Building, which is on the southeast corner of Union and Main, and the former Downtown Wigs building. Development plans call for combining the three buildings to create one 40-apartment complex on the upper floors with 25,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space on the ground floor. The Jaipur Gallery "Eclectic Interiors" will be one of the retail tenants. Project costs are estimated at $6 million and construction is expected to begin in late spring 2003. Due to the high visibility of the Stuarts Building, this is considered a key project towards spurring redevelopment on the Demonstration Block.
Perez Building
Last month the Main Street Committee also reviewed development proposals for the Perez Building (85-89 South Main) and recommended selling the property to developer Bob Williams, contigent upon approval of demolition of the building by the Landmarks Commission.
The Center City Development Corporation hired a structural engineer to determine if the building is structurally sound to renovate. The engineer determined that the building in its current condition is not safe for use. If Landmarks approves demolition of the building, Williams will extend an adjacent infill development to include the demolished Perez property. The expanded project would include 35,000-square feet of new Main Street construction plus the renovation of the historic Omni building. The development will include upper floor apartments and ground level retail and restaurant space. Williams' design plans for the new construction will maintain the historic integrity of the street.
The Landmarks Commission will rule if demolition of the building is acceptable at its December meeting.
Jeans Glory Building
In late November, the Center City Development Corporation issued a request for proposals for the property located at 83 South Main Street. The property, located nex to the Perez Building, was built in 1910 and has 3 floors totaling 3,900 square feet and a basement of 1,300 square feet. Proposals for this building must be submitted by noon on December 27 in order to be considered. Click here to view a copy of the Jeans Glory RFP.
For more information, contact Laura Morgan, CCC Director of Planning & Development, at (901) 575-0584.
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Downtown Safety Update
The Center City Commission, downtown stakeholders and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission commissioned a study to forecast safety needs for Downtown Memphis' emerging entertainment area. The study recommends a detailed action plan, the majority of which the Memphis Police Department has agreed to implement. One result of the study is the creation of a specially trained police force dedicated to the new sports and entertainment district (see rezoning map above), which is expected to be in service by spring 2003. As part of the unit's special training program, officers will learn skills to serve as city emissaries to tourists and visitors and will wear distinctive uniforms to set them apart from other officers.
Other issues addressed in the study concern homelessness and panhandling, traffic flow, parking, police deployment, and crowd control. Click here to view a copy of the report.
It is important to note, however, that it is statistically proven that Downtown is by far the safest precinct in city. According to the Memphis Police Department, the Downtown precinct has reported only 3.4 percent of all crime citywide from January - November 2002. Downtown has the lowest number of violations in aggravated assault, auto theft, burglary, homicide, larceny, and robbery.
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Precincts: Downtown: Crump Blvd (south); Auction including Mud Island (north); Mississippi River (west); Danny Thomas Blvd (East) North: Wolf River/Jackson Ave (south); Memphis city limits (north and west); Airways (east) South: State Line (south); I-240 (north); Mississippi River (south); Airways (east) East: City limits in Hickory Hill (south); Park (north); Airways, I-240, Getwell (west); Germantown city limits (east) Southeast: I-55/I-240 (south); South Parkway/Lamar (north); Mississippi River (west); Airways (east) West: South Parkway (south); East Parkway (north); Danny Thomas Blvd (west); East Parkway (east) Central: Park (south); Jackson (north); East Parkway/Airways (west); I-40/I-240 (east) Northeast: Park (south); Austin Peay (north); I-40/I-240 (west); Whitten, Cordova, Rocky Point (east) |
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Development Briefs
The Downtown Neighborhood Association will host its 2002 Downtown Home Tour on Sunday, December 8. From loft apartments to riverfront homes, a variety of housing unique to Downtown are on the tour. For more information, call 527-DNA1 or go to www.memphisdna.org/.
Light It Up will shed new light on the Pyramid Arena. New lighting for the Pyramid will be illumiated on Friday, December 13 prior to the Memphis Grizzlies game. The kickoff festivities will begin at 6 pm in front of The Pyramid.
MATA has announced that the operation of the trolley system will be temporarily shut down beginning on January 5, 2003. The shut down will last between 60 - 90 days in order to install the new eastbound interchange at Madison and Main Street. Shuttles will be provided on alternate routes during this construction phase.
The Urban Land Institute has honored the Memphis Ballpark District with a 2002 Award of Excellence. Looney Ricks Kiss Architects developed the master plan for the district which includes the 14,000 seat AutoZone Park, the 200,000 square foot Toyota Center and the Toyota Center's 800-car parking garage. And the Memphis Redbirds were named as the 2002 Bob Freitas Award winner as the top organization in Triple-A baseball by Baseball America Magazine.
A Memphis classic, Leonard's Barbecue is now open at 103 North Main Street. Napoli's Pizza and Subs opened in Peabody Place Entertainment and Retail Center.
Mayor Willie Herenton was recognized as the 2003 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine.
The $92 million expansion of the Memphis Cook Convention Center is scheduled to be complete in mid-December. The expansion will include an addition of 45,000 sf exhibition space, new banquet/ballroom space, 8,000 sf of new meeting rooms and new 2,100 seat Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the ballroom is scheduled for January 17, and the grand opening for the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts is January 25.
Beale Street revelers will get the same parking rate as Peabody place shoppers during a six-month trial period. Beale Street parkers will receive three hours' parking at the 250 Peabody Place Garage for $1 with a $5 purchase and validation from Beale Street merchants.
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Available Property Spotlight
Lawrence Building: 56-60 South Main
The Lawrence Building is a 66,000-square foot building located in the Downtown core next to One Commerce Square. This building has 5 floors and a full basement with a beautiful brick facade. Excellent development potential on upper floors for hotel, office or residential and ground level retail space. Sale price for the building is $660,000.
For more information on this historic building, contact Sam Bond, (901) 758-5670.
To review other available properties in Downtown Memphis, click here.
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December Meeting Schedule
Center City Revenue Finance Corporation: Tues, December 17 at 9 am
Center City Development Corporation: Wed, December 18 at 8:30 am
Center City Commission Board: Thurs, December 19 at noon
Design Review Board: Wed, January 8 at 5 pm
The above meetings will be held at the Center City Commission, 114 North Main Street. For more information, contact Diane Word at (901) 575-0542.
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Center City Commission Staff
Executive
Jeff Sanford, President
Diane Word, Executive Assistant
Development
Myron Hughes, VP of Development and Planning
Brad Elmer, Business Development Analyst
Jaske Goff, Development Project Manager
Laura Morgan, Director of Planning & Development
Leigh Ann Simmons, Existing Business Specialist
Lillian Smith, Development Coordinator
Financial
Jim Street, Chief Financial Officer
Marketing
Lee Warren, Senior VP of Marketing
Leslie Gower, Director of Communications
Dena Owens, Marketing Manager
Sridhar Sunkara, Information Systems Manager
Operations
Janet Pfaff, Senior VP of Operations
Gaston Davis, Blue Suede Brigade Manager
Dave Rice, Operations/Environmental Coordinator
Christine Taylor, Office Manager/Administrative Assistant
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