in this issue:
Strategic Plan Updatefor Downtown Memphis
Trolley Makes Tracks Towards Medical District
Convention Center Expansion Opens
Sidewalk Stories: A History of Downtown
Development Briefs Available PropertySpotlight
January 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.
2002-2006 Strategic Plan Update To Guide
Revitalization of Downtown
The Center City Commission has completed the 2002-2006 Strategic Plan Update, a guide that establishes revitalization goals for Downtown Memphis over the next five years. The Update was created by the Center City Commisison staff with substantial input from the community during the course of several public meetings. The Update has been approved by the County Commission, City Council and CCC Board of Directors. The Strategic Plan Update outlines long-term goals that emphasize the challenges of rebuilding Downtown, and the important roles of safety, transportation, usability, image and appearance in that process. These goals include:
Click the buttons to view or hide
goal summaries:
1. A Thriving Downtown
Downtown must continue to improve its appearance, attractions, amenities, and accessibility to reinforce its role as a commercial marketplace and function as a center for businesses of all types. To achieve this, the amount of street-level retail must grow, office occupancy rate must increase after hovering in the 70-80% range for more than 10 years, new businesses must be recruited to Downtown, existing businesses must be retained and encouraged to grow, and an increase in sales tax revenue within Downtown must be realized.
All of this can be accomplished through a concentrated and targeted effort to re-tenant vacant spaces to create a critical mass. This will generate additional business activity while providing necessary retail services to Downtown residents, employees, and visitors. Downtown's ability to embrace entrepreneurial talent and to support small businesses will allow it to remain competitive within the region's business marketplace. 
2. A Self-Sustaining Main Street Mall
In order to revitalize the properties in the heart of Downtown Memphis, the CCC initiated a development plan for five blocks from Adams to Gayoso on the Main Street Mall. Based on the community's vision, market conditions, and economic realities, in late 2000 the CCC adopted the Main Street Redevelopment Plan. The plan is designed to create a world-class, urban neighborhood that will draw residents, businesses, and visitors based on uniqueness, functionality, and charm.
The plan calls for the development of a new Downtown neighborhood with improved public spaces, renovated historic properties, and newly constructed buildings. It identifies intersections along Main Street as retail locations with improved streetscapes, increased parking opportunities, and clear linkages to the Mississippi River. The plan calls for focused transit initiatives and the creation of a comprehensive wayfinding plan. Finally, it suggests public funding techniques and development incentives, and offers an implementation strategy to trigger specific actions and recommendations. 3. An Attractive & Exciting Riverfront
The riverfront is the crown jewel of Downtown and unlike many other riverfronts in the country, it was not spoiled in the past by heavy industry or contaminating commercial uses. If anything, our riverfront has been underused, and, from a development standpoint, Downtown historically has turned its back on the river. All of that is changing through the Memphis Riverfront Master Plan, a 50-year plan adopted as public policy and now being implemented by the Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC). The plan's vision: Reunite the city with the river.
4. Diverse Residential Neighborhoods
Downtown encompasses a variety of urban neighborhoods and subdistricts. Nowhere else in the metropolitan area can such diverse options of housing types be found - from high-rise apartment living in the Downtown Core, and the traditionally arranged neighborhoods of Uptown, South Bluffs, and Harbor Town, to the more suburban-oriented Founder's Pointe with its bluff homes and commanding river views. The diversity of each of Downtown's unique neighborhoods must be celebrated so that potential new residents understand that they have many choices available to them - in housing type, neighborhood character, and price.
Since the early 1980's the number of market-rate housing units in the Downtown Core has grown from less than 250 to nearly 9,000, the 9th fastest growth in the United States. This growth is proof that Downtown is one of the region's most livable communities. New and diverse residential neighborhoods will only strengthen Downtown's appeal as a retail and commercial marketplace. The Center City Commission will continue to foster housing opportunities, amenities, and business ventures that welcome people of all backgrounds and that reinforce the existing sense of community.
5. A World-Class Medical District
The Center City Commission's Medical District Master Plan provides a framework to guide development in this area through 2011 and beyond. The plan strives to make Downtown a vital economic center for Memphis and Shelby County. Already, the Medical District serves as the regional medical center for a three-state area. It includes hospitals, research centers, medical facilities, employment centers, educational institutions, and strong connections to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Bigger facilities at the University of Tennessee, Memphis-The Health Science Center, new biomedcial research, and expanded patient care at Methodist Healthcare-University Hospital offer this district a very promising future.
In coordination with the Main Street Trolley and Riverfront Loop, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) Medical Center Rail Extension along Madison Avenue will complete the Downtown rail circulation system. The MATA Medical Center Rail Extension also is envisioned as a segment in a regional light-rail system. This project is being designed to accommodate future conversion from vintage trolley vehicles to modern vehicles, when a regional line is complete.
6. Improved Public Environment
An attractive, appealing, safe public realm is essential to any successful
center city. It requires quality design and construction of sidewalks, lighting,
landscaping, signage, parks, parking facilities, and other public infrastructure,
as well as maintaining a clean and safe environment for
Downtown workers, residents, and visitors. All of these improvements
encourage pedestrian activity and enhance the experience of being
Downtown.
A well-designed streetscape can be a major factor in creating a sense of identity for Downtown Memphis. Consistent use of lighting, benches, trash receptacles, awnings, banners, and more can create a unified streetscape framework for Downtown, as well as an inviting and comfortable pedestrian environment. A comprehensive Downtown Streetscape Master Plan was completed and approved by the Center City Commission Board of Directors in July 2001. To execute the 80-square-block plan, the street segments were prioritized to establish implementation phasing over three to five years. In early 2002, the Center City Commission secured a $5 million bond to begin working on the initial phase of the streetscape/public realm improvements. In addition, the CCC will establish a regular program to ensure adequate maintenance and will encourage private owners to be more accountable for the public realm in the vicinity of their property. In October 2001, a lighting master plan for Downtown’s central and historic districts was completed as a joint effort between the UrbanArt Commission and the Center City Commission. Its goal is to enhance the image of Downtown Memphis as an entertainment center – for visitors and citizens alike – through the after-dark visual enhancement of art, architecture, and landscape, using creative lighting design and innovative technology.
7. Improved Transportation and Access
The Center City Commission recognizes that Downtown must be easy to
use by Memphians and visitors. As such, the CCC strives to ensure adequate
and convenient parking, effective public transportation, user-friendly
directional signage, and the continual enhancement of major thoroughfares
to and from Downtown.
8. Restored Landmark Buildings and Improved Land Uses
Just as the perception and reality of a clean and safe public realm are critical
to ensuring visitors’ comfort in Downtown Memphis, land use issues
must be identified. Historic buildings and land must be preserved in honor
of Downtown’s heritage, and underutilized or inappropriately used property
must be redeveloped.
The CCC anticipates the new Downtown home of the Memphis Grizzlies, the FedExForum, will have a catalytic effect on the redevelopment of South CBID. In addition, the arena will capitalize on the South Main District’s growth and popularity as an arts, residential, and shopping area. The CCC expects significant progress to be made in the residential, office, hotel, and retail market segments as a result of development around the new Downtown arena. South CBID, including the Sports/Entertainment District, is undergoing a planning effort that will result in a proposal for comprehensive rezoning.
9. Greater Awareness of Downtown
Being a quality place for people to live, work, play, shop, and develop is a
fundamental part of any successful Downtown. In Downtown Memphis,
improvements in the visual character, comfort, and convenience will have a
major influence on drawing increasing numbers Downtown and on making
it a more competitive business and investment location.
The Center City Commission will market Downtown as a great place to live, work, play, shop, and develop through various communication vehicles that are part of a well-rounded multimedia campaign. Included in the campaign are image-oriented and targeted marketing materials; the CCC website; regularly distributed publications; public relations and public affairs interview opportunities; a monthly television information program; special event coordination and assistance; public speaking engagements; the CCC annual meeting; and industry-related communication vehicles, including related Web sites, magazines, and newsletters. |
The Update is a continuation of the work outlined in the 1999 Strategic Plan which served as the Center City Commission's work agenda over the past three years. Results of the 1999 Plan yielded impressive results that led to millions of dollars in public and private capital investment projects. In addition, the 1999 Plan directed the creation and initial implementation of the Main Street Redevelopment Plan, Medical District Master Plan, a Wayfinding Program, and Streetscape Master Plan. Click here to view a copy of the 1999 Strategic Plan.
For more information on the 2002-2006 Strategic Plan Update, contact the Center City Commission at (901) 575-0540.
[back to table of contents]
Trolley Makes Tracks Towards Medical District
The majority of construction will focus on the new interchange at the intersection of Main Street and Madison Avenue, but Main Street Mall will also be under construction from Monroe to Court Square. This construction phase is expected to last 60-90 days and will put a temporary halt to trolley service on Main Street Mall. However, MATA is providing temporary shuttle service on alternate routes until construction is complete. See map below.
The $74-million Medical Center Rail Extension is expected to open in March 2004. The Medical Center Rail Extension will provide a transportation and economic development link between the Central Business District and Medical Center and will expand transit service options for employees, residents, and visitors.
Below is a map of the alternate shuttle routes for the next 60-90 days:
[back to table of contents]
Memphis Cook Convention Center
Expansion Opens
The finishing touches are being made to the impressive $92 million Memphis Cook Convention Center expansion project which adds nearly 80,000 square feet of new exhibit and meeting space.
New additions include a 28,000 square foot ballroom, a 35,000 square foot special exhibit hall, 5 meeting rooms, and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art 2,100-seat multi-purpose performing arts center that will serve as the new home of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new ballroom is scheduled for January 17. The grand opening for the Cannon Center will occur during the weekend of January 24-26 with three special events, including Winter Fantasia, a grand gala being produced by Sir Michael Parker, the royal event producer to Queen Elizabeth.
For more information on events celebrating the the Memphis Cook Convention Center expansion, contact the Memphis Cook Convention Center at (901) 576-1221.
[back to table of contents]
Sidewalk Stories:
A Unique Walk Down Memory Lane
Watch your feet this spring - you may be stepping on a piece of Memphis history!
The Center City Commission commissioned David Royer of Memphis Heritage, Inc. to create "Sidewalk Stories", a series of sidewalk plaques that will showcase little known historical tidbits about obscure events and landmarks in Downtown Memphis.
The Sidewalk Stories will consist of a trail of over 70 bronze cast plaques to be embedded in sidewalks and alley buildings through the Downtown Core. These whimsical historical markers tell an interesting but not-so-commonly heard history of Downtown Memphis.
For example, did you know . . .
The D.T. Porter Building was Memphis’ first skyscraper and the tallest building south of St. Louis when completed in 1895. Some city officials believed a building that tall would blow over in a strong wind. Visitors paid ten cents to ride one of the South’s first elevators, but many were so scared they took the stairs back down. 10 North Main Street
In the 1860’s, Madame Cora James claimed to give psychic predictions, recover stolen goods, and cure insanity and nervous diseases from her room around the corner on Main. NE corner Barboro and Main
Thomas Edison may have invented the electric light and the phonograph in New Jersey, but while he was stationed in a house here during the Civil War, he invented a “cockroach shocker”. North side N. Court between Main/Second
The Sidewalk Stories are a part of the first phase of the Center City Commission's $5 million Streetscape Improvement Plan. This first phase calls for installation of plaques along Union, Monroe, and Madison Avenues, Court Square, and Center Lane, November 6, Barbaro and Scimitar Alleys. Plaques will be numbered for reference in a walking tour brochure that will be forthcoming. More plaques are expected to be added over the coming years.
For more information on the Sidewalk Stories, contact Laura Morgan, CCC Director of Planning & Development, at (901) 575-0584.
[back to table of contents]
Development Briefs
The Center City Commission has completed its fiscal year 2001 audit. To review financials from the audit, click here.
Memphis City Council Chairman Rickey Peete presented Jeff Sanford and Lee Warren with a resolution to acknowledge the Center City Commission’s Definitely Downtown multimedia advertising campaign and for creation and production of “Definitely Downtown”, the 30-minute lifestyle television program focused on living, working and playing in Downtown. Chairman Peete recognized the campaign as a valuable tool in the promotion of Downtown Memphis and cited the television program, produced and hosted by Warren, as a program watched by thousands of households the first Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. on WMC-TV Channel 5.
The Power House, the 90-year old structure that once stored coal for Central Station and is being converted into an art exhibition space and working artist lab, will open this month.
The Landmarks Commission approved demolition of the Perez Building (85-89 South Main) after a developer interested in the property found that the building in its current condition was not safe for use. Demolition of the building makes way for a residential and commercial development.
Marcia Wunderlich, the principal who brought new life to Brownsville Elementary School, has been selected as the principal of the new Downtown Elementary School scheduled to open next school year.
The building located at
32 South Second Street, which includes Western Union and Bon Ton Cafe, received a $90,000 development loan from the CCDC in December. The loan will assist with renovations to the second floor for 9,000-square feet of office space and third floor for six
apartments. Exterior facade improvements are also planned, including new exterior
finishes, signage, awnings, light fixtures, and a new building entry at Second Street.
Swig, an upscale San Antonio-based martini bar, is scheduled to open at 100 Peabody Place in March.
[back to table of contents]
Available Property SpotlightBlue Light Studio Building:
115 Union Avenue
The Blue Light Studio Building is a 25,000-square foot building located in the Downtown Core within the Union Commons District. This building has 5 floors with a full basement and is located amid several thriving restaurants near the busy intersection of Union and Second. Excellent development potential for retail, residential and/or office space.
Sale price for the building is $650,000.
For more information on this property, contact Tom Marsh, (901) 755-6040.
To review other available properties in Downtown Memphis, click here.
[back to table of contents]
January Meeting Schedule
Center City Revenue Finance Corporation: Tues, January 14 at 9 am
Center City Development Corporation: Wed, January 15 at 8:30 am
Center City Commission: cancelled
Design Review Board: Wed, February 5 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.
A retreat for the Center City Commission Board of Directors and its affiliated boards will be held on January 24 at 9 am at The Power House on G.E. Patterson.
The Center City Commission office will be closed on Monday, January 20 to observe Martin Luther King Day and on Friday, January 31 for its annual staff retreat.
[back to table of contents]
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 and Editor
Dena Owens, Marketing Manager
Sridhar Sunkara, Information Systems Manager
Operations
Janet Pfaff, Senior VP of Operations
Dave Rice, Operations/Environmental Coordinator
Christine Taylor, Office Manager/Administrative Assistant
Gaston Davis, Blue Suede Brigade Manager
Blue Suede Brigadiers:
Derrick Bennett
Eugene Brassel
Fannie Garner
Kaye Jennings
Bobby Parker
Michael Williams
[back to table of contents]
We want to know what you think about this publication - email your comments to Leslie Gower, Editor. And thanks to those who have already responded with their suggestions!