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in this issue:
Downtown
Ignited
Downtown Gets GlobalAttention
Plans Brewing OnTennessee St.
Modern Twist onCotton Row
New Living Space in The Pinch
Development Opportunity on
Main Street
Victorian Village CDC
Development
Briefs New
DowntownBusinesses
Upcoming
MeetingSchedule
CCC
ContactInformation
The Downtown Developer
is a bi-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.
Downtown Fires Have Not Extinguished Plans for Court Square Center
An early morning three-alarm blaze that ignited at the First United Methodist Church demolished the 113-year old historic church and sent a storm of burning embers throughout Downtown. Crews are in the process of clearing debris from the church, which served as a center for Downtown social outreach and homeless programs. Church officials have announced that they will rebuild the church and are in the process of determining if part of the original structure is stable enough to be incorporated into the new design.
To minimize property damage from the burning embers, the Memphis Fire Department deployed ember task forces to combat potential fires. Despite commendable efforts by the Fire Department, embers ignited one of the most anticipated development projects in Downtown, Court Square Center.
The project, which involved years of planning due to complicated financing and stabilization issues, included a $49 million renovation of three historic buildings into a mixed-use development withresidential, office, retail and restaurant space overlooking Court Square. Two of the buildings - Rhodes Jennings and Lincoln American Tower - were damaged but are stable. The third building, Court Square Annex, was destroyed by the fire.
The developers, CGI Partners, are moving forward with the project and are in the process of determining a new plan for the Court Square Annex Building.
Click on thumbnails to view pictures of the fire taken by Gaston Davis, Blue Suede Brigade Manager.
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Downtown Memphis Gets Global Focus
Downtown Memphis was a key player on the international stage at the recent International Downtown Association (IDA) Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon October 6-9. IDA is a 650-member organization of downtown revitalization professionals that recognizes best-practice models for urban centers throughout the world.
CCC Wins International Award for Diversity Outreach
The Center City Commission was the recipient of the IDA's prestigious "Special Achievement in Diversity Award" for its Minority Outreach Program, a program that focuses on increasing minority ownership, investment, and business in Downtown Memphis. The panel of international judges assessed the award-winning program on its innovation, replication, representation and outcome.
The CCC’s W/MBE Committee, a team comprised of members from the CCC board and its affiliate boards, initiated the program in 2003. The committee identified three action steps to accelerate African-American ownership in downtown development: 1) hire staff dedicated to administering the program, 2) promote education and networking opportunities to aspiring minority developers, and 3) stimulate minority business involvement.
As part of the program, the CCC is creating a welcoming environment for minority developers by hosting educational forums and seminars on real estate oriented topics. The CCC also provides important connections between experienced downtown developers and hopeful minority developers to cultivate mentoring partnerships.
Making Progress
Results from outreach efforts show that minority developers are beginning to take a visible role in downtown growth. Self Tucker Architects, a 100% minority firm, is transforming the historic Universal Life Insurance Building into 20,000-sf of downtown office space. Lee’s Landing - a $10 million retail, entertainment, and parking facility in the works near FedExForum - has a 73% minority ownership group.
New Main, the block on Main Street between Union and Gayoso, serves as an example of a development area with a high degree of minority participation. Projects on the block that are underway or recently complete include:
- a minority-led condo project;
- a partnership with an experienced developer and aspiring minority developer;
- a new minority tenant (of the 4 tenants secured from the block); and.
- minority contract participation of 25% and higher on all projects.
Other members of the CCC’s W/MBE Committee include Darrell Cobbins, Carol Crawley, Jimmie Tucker, and Cheryl Patterson.
CCC President Inducted as IDA Chair
Jeff Sanford, President of the Memphis Center City Commission (CCC), was
inducted as Chairman of IDA. Sanford will guide the esteemed organization over the next year in its mission to serve as a leader of and champion for vital and livable urban centers around the globe.
In accepting the gavel, Sanford stated, “I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the next IDA chairman, but I know my election is in no small part a recognition of the great Downtown revitalization program we've put together in Memphis. Credit for that goes to so many including our CCC boards and staff, and all of our public and private partners who continue to invest so much time and money in our success.”
Sanford is the second Memphian to take office as IDA chair. John Dudas, Vice President and Director of Strategic Planning for Belz Enterprises, served as IDA chair during his tenure as CCC President in 1988.
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Plans Brewing on Tennessee Street
The Land Use Control Board has given its approval to proceed with renovation and new construction plans that will transform the historic Tennessee Brewery into 140 condos with office, retail and restaurant space on the lower levels.
The Michigan-based development team – Gordon Follmer, Guy Rizzo, and Jim Hysen – sought and received special approval from the Land Use Control Board to construct a 14-story addition to the project. Due to stabilization issues, a portion of the existing historic structure will have to be razed, leaving 76% of the structure intact. The project is scheduled to go before the Board of Adjustment on October 25 to seek approval on the variance to allow 140 units in lieu of 60 per acre.
The 65,000-sf landmark building has been vacant for 50 years. It is listed on the Center City Commission’s Top Ten Redevelopment Sites – a list that identifies key structures that are important to the vitality of our city.
Project costs are estimated at $50 million. Condos will range from $180s to $1 million for the penthouse.
For more information on new development in Downtown Memphis, visit the Center City Commission's online downtown projects listing.
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Modern Meets Historic on Cotton Row
Among the 100-year old buildings lining Front Street south of Union in the Cotton Row Historic District, an ultra modern, 12-story infill condo project at 52 South Front is scheduled for construction in what is now a 25-foot wide vacant lot. Developer Martin Pantik, who moved to Memphis from London, selected Archimania to create the urbanist design typical in European cities. The $10 million project will be the first residential construction with a modern design in the Downtown Core.
Residential units will be on the top 11 floors. The west side of the building will be entirely glass to give residents views of the river. The ground floor will be reserved for a grand lobby entrance. Pricing is estimated to be around $300 per square foot for the luxury condos.
For more information on new development in Downtown Memphis, visit the Center City Commission's online downtown projects listing.
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More Living Space Planned in The Pinch
New development projects are helping to launch residential rebirth in the Pinch District.
Buddy Barnett (Barnett Contractors of Memphis), Brian Thomas (Wakefield, MA architect), and Geoffrey LePlastrier (Irving, CA developer) are constructing a $4.8 million residential project at Main and Overton. The project will include townhomes and 3,800-sf of ground floor commercial space. The project, called 374 North Main, will have 1,420-sf units, parking, balconies and a courtyard.
Le Plastrier and Thomas are also involved in developing Trinity Tower, an $85 million residential contruction project at Exchange and Third near St. Mary's Catholic Church. This project will include two buildings - one 28 stories tall - for mixed residential and commercial use. Trinity Tower will include 240 residential units, approximately 12,570-sf of retail space, and 2,087-sf of restaurant space.St. Jude's $1 billion expansion and its subsequent growing employee base, is driving demand for new living space in The Pinch. In addition, The Pinch serves as a natural connector between the thriving Mud Island and Uptown neighborhoods and the Downtown Core.
For more information on new development in Downtown Memphis, visit the Center
City Commission's
online downtown projects listing.
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Development Opportunity on Main at Gayoso
The Memphis Downtown Parking Authority (DPA) is seeking proposals for a
development partner to build a mixed-use project on vacant property at the
northeast corner of Main Street and Gayoso Avenue in Downtown Memphis.
Click here for a detailed description of the site and the proposal process.
All proposals must be received in the Memphis Center City Commission offices, 114 North Main Street, Memphis, TN, 38103 attn: Andy Kitsinger, Director of Planning & Development, no later than Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 2:00 pm.
For more information, contact Andy Kitsinger, CCC Director of Planning and Development, at 901.575.0592.
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Victorian Village Creates CDC
The Victorian Village neighborhood has created a Community Development Corporation (CDC). The intent of the CDC is to protect and preserve the neighborhood's historic integrity while promoting thoughtful new residential growth.
Typically, CDCs are comprised of neighborhood residents and businesses passionate about revitalizing their neighborhood. Scott Blake, Victorian Village resident and creative director of Design 500, Inc., is spearheading the Victorian Village CDC.
As the neighboring Memphis Medical Center continues to boom with an increasing amount of employees looking for convenient housing, Victorian Village is becoming a desirable location for a revitalized residential neighborhood.
Opportunity for residential growth is great in Victorian Village, where new uses could build on the area's historic charm while making better use of currently underused and underserved spaces and land.
The Center City Commission created a neighborhood plan for Victorian Village that outlines better use of public space and potential areas for appropriate development. The Victorian Village CDC is using that document as one of its tools in going forward.
View the CCC's Victorian Village Redevelopment Plan.
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Development Briefs
Interesting to note ...the number of Downtown condos sold during the second quarter of 2006 is more than ten times the number of condos sold in 2005 during the second quarter. Click here to view the latest condo report.
An unveiling ceremony for the new Tom Lee Memorial in Tom Lee Park was held on Thursday, October 19. The $175,000 monument was created by Wyoming artist David Alan Clark to honor Lee who saved 32 from drowning in the Mississippi River in 1925.
Seedco, a community and economic development non-profit agency, and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Southwest Tennessee Community College, are offering a free workshop for small and medium size businesses in Shelby County on November 16. Click here for more details.
Self Tucker Architects is moving forward with the $2.5 million renovation of the Universal Life Building (c 1949) to bring more office space into Downtown. When completed at the end of 2007, Self Tucker will occupy 4,500-sf of the 20,000-sf building.
Due to an expanding clientele, Energy Fitness has moved into a larger Downtown location - a new 2,500-sf facility at 552 South Main. The personalized fitness center also expanded its services to include yoga and massages. Energy Fitness is the first recipient of the Center City Commission’s Retail Incentive Fund, a program that assists new and expanding Downtown businesses secure working capital funding. Click here for information about the CCC's Retail Incentive Fund.
The Memphis Farmers Market will close its inaugural season on October 28. The market, which is open on Saturdays from 7 am – 1 pm at the Central Station Pavilion, has exceeded expectations. The market started with 20 vendors in May and now has 45 vendors.
Radio Center Flats, the $3.6 million renovation project at 66 South Main at Union, received the green light from the Center City Commission’s Design Review Board. The project will transform the former home of the WDIA radio station into 10 apartments and 6,200-sf of commercial ground floor space. Fourteen underground parking spaces are also included in the project. The project received a 15-year PILOT from CCRFC and is expected to be complete by late 2007.
The 190-room Holiday Inn Select will begin a $2.5 million hotel renovation starting in November. In addition to creating more upscale guest rooms, the existing hotel restaurant will be converted into a sports bar named after Russwood Park, an old local baseball stadium.
To help visitors find their way around Downtown, the Center City Commission is in the process of installing Wayfinding Signs that direct to key landmarks and attractions in Downtown. As part of the wayfinding program, the CCC has also installed pedestrian kiosks with maps showcasing attractions, hotels and trolley information.
The Peabody Hotel celebrated the 25th anniversary of its grand reopening on August 30.
The parent company of the Flying Saucer, 8.0 Management, plans to open the Flying Fish restaurant at 105 South Second. The owners are investing $500,000 in the restaurant, which is expected to be open in late 2007.
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New Downtown Business
Milagro Biofuels, biofuel refinery, 61 Keel
Hattiloo Theater, black repertory theatre, 656 Marshall Ave, 502-3486
Gen X Inn, hotel, 1177 Madison Ave, 692-9136
Downtown Books, Used books and publishers' remainders, 152 Madison Ave (inside the Tobacco Bowl), 577-6600
Delphinum Accessories, women's accessories, 107 GE Patterson, 522-8600
Renee's Sandwich Shop, 51 S Main St, 521-1988
Lobster King, gourmet appetizers, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and homemade desserts, 32 N Cleveland, 725-5990
Amoco/Downtown Poplar, BP Gas station, 300 Poplar Ave, 332-0543
Subway Sandwiches and Subs, 300 Poplar Ave, 523-9821
Doggy's Day Care, pet sitting, 184 Auction Ave, 522-0030
Settlement Solutions, mediation and arbitration services, 80 Monroe Ave Ste 525, 577-1175
Mo' Money Tax Services, Tax services, 311 Exchange Ave Ste 101
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Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Design Review Board: Wednesday, November 1 at 5 pm
Center City Revenue Finance Corporation: Tuesday, November 14 at 9 am
Center City Development Corporation: Wednesday, November 15 at 9 am
Center City Commission Board: Thursday, November 16 at 12 noon
The above meetings will be held at the Center City Commission, 114 North Main Street. Meeting times and dates are subject to change. For more information, contact Dawn Vinson at 901.575-0555.
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Center City Commission Staff
Executive
Jeff Sanford, President
Nicole Hernandez, Director of Executive Programs
Jerome Rubin, Manager, Diversity Outreach
Development
Andy Kitsinger, Director of Planning & Development
Lorie Chapman, Development Assistant
Molly Frey, Real Estate Analyst
Jaske Goff, Development Project Manager
Katrina Shelton, Business Recruitment Manager
Dawn Vinson, Development Coordinator
Financial
Jim Street, Chief Financial Officer
Marketing
Lee Warren, Senior VP of Marketing
Tiffany Amore, Marketing Administrative Assistant
Leslie Gower, Director of Communications and Editor
Sridhar Sunkara, Director of Information Systems
Stephanie Ziemba, Marketing and Special Events Manager
Operations
Janet Pfaff, Senior VP of Operations
Dave Rice, Parking Manager/Environmental Coordinator
Christine Taylor, Office Manager/Administrative Assistant
Gaston Davis, Blue Suede Brigade Manager
Blue Suede Brigadiers:
Freddie Beckham
Eugene Brassel
Fannie Garner
Sally Hayes
Charles Jackson
Bobby Parker
Carl Hibles
Christopher Mason
Ann Sanchez
Johnnie Willis
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Email your questions or comments to Leslie Gower, Editor.