A monthly eNewsletter from the Division of Planning and Development –February 2021 |
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A Message from John Zeanah, Director |
Many of you have read the announcement by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland regarding the City's proposed $200 million investment in Accelerate Memphis. The Division is pleased to have contributed to this special milestone inspired by public participation and outstanding planning by staff in our Comprehensive Planning, Sustainability and Resilience, and Regional Transportation Planning departments. In this month's newsletter, we'll discuss some of the components of this $200 million effort and how they relate to the division's work. We celebrate these amazing accomplishments that have generated great momentum going into the City's third century. |
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Planning and Implementation |
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$75 Million to Activate Memphis 3.0 |
To kickstart the new year, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced plans for Memphis to reinvest in neighborhoods and to regain momentum lost to the pandemic. Accelerate Memphis: Invest in Neighborhoods is the City's newest $200 Million initiative to push forward plans and policies to re-invest in neighborhoods, and to activate the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan.
Memphis 3.0 is the newly adopted plan for Memphis that was imagined with input from 15,000 citizens to guide growth and development in the City. As the City enters a new decade, the "Accelerate Memphis" initiative will "unlock opportunities for change" with $50 million in targeted investments in nine anchor areas – Raleigh Town Center, Elvis Presley & Raines, Klondike, Hollywood-Hyde Park, Summer & National, Orange Mound, South City, Soulsville, and Shelby & Tchulahoma – and early-stage investments (~$400k each) to 34 anchors.
These neighborhood-focused investments will be designed to provide quality of life and mobility options that benefit a greater proportion of residents. Funds will also be targeted to large-scale type developments aimed to help generate more private sector investment, and to create a more sustainable mix of land uses within the City. An additional $15 million will go toward broadband infrastructure and affordable housing in communities throughout Memphis.
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$10 Million Investment in Road and Intersection Safety Improvements
DPD plays key roles in planning and funding road and intersection safety and access improvements, including through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) led by the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The TIP provides a prioritized list of transportation projects for the region.
The City will leverage this regional transportation program with the new "Accelerate Memphis" growth strategy by investing $10 million in local funds as match to additional federal funds to provide road and intersection safety improvements in eight streets and intersections across the city – Frayser and Overton Crossing, Hickory Hill and Winchester, Chelsea Avenue and Hollywood Street, Lamar/Kimball/Pendleton six-way intersection, Ridgeway and Quince, Third and Ford, Trinity and Germantown, and sections of the Watkins/Cleveland/Bellevue/Elvis Presley corridor.
Street improvements may include: intersection redesign, improved lighting, signal upgrades, crosswalk/sidewalk improvements, bike lanes and bicycle facility protection, street furniture, ADA improvements, or traffic calming.
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$75 Million Investment in
Parks and Greenspaces
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As an outgrowth of Memphis 3.0, the Memphis Parks and Neighborhoods Division initiated a master plan for the City's parks which is nearing completion.
As a part of the City's Accelerate Memphis proposal, $75 million will be invested in park improvements following the Parks Master Plan and new greenways or greenway segments in five areas. The greenways include Chelsea Avenue Greenline, Heights Line, Shelby Farms Greenline west extension, South Memphis Greenline, and the Wolf River Greenway Phase 10B and Phase 11.
These greenways and greenway segments advance recommendations of the 2014 Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan, led by DPD. Implementing the Greenprint network - a network of green spaces providing access to social and physical opportunities for all people - was included as a recommendation of the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan.
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Citywide Safety & Visibility Improvements |
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and the City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland presented the Memphis Area Climate Action Plan just over one year ago, in January 2020. This report marked the community's first formal interest in bringing awareness to the community's contribution to climate change. The long-range planning efforts of the Division as well as those efforts made by many community stakeholders established the framework of the Climate Action Plan.
In tandem with the Accelerate Memphis project, the City announced further commitment to reducing our community's local emissions by making the switch to energy-efficient, LED bulbs for all 84,000 city-owned street lights .
Implementation of this strategy will accrue financial benefits through reducing energy consumption, and with an increase in safety and visibility will enhance the community's well being.
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The Division shared news last month that Brenda Gibson was hired as Division Finance Manager, a role formally held by Mary Lynn Seale who retired after serving the City of Memphis and Shelby County for over thirty years. Also in January, Mario Moton was promoted to Building Plans Examiner for Construction Enforcement, and Denesha Smith was hired from a temporary position to the position of Permit Technician. Mr. Moton served previously within the Shelby County Housing Department, while Ms. Smith provided support to the Division's Administration team.
The Division is also excited to announce starting in February Dana Sjostrom was promoted to Planning and Programs Manager for Shelby County Department of Housing. Ms. Sjostrom will transition to the Housing Department from the Division's Sustainability and Resilience department.
Finally, DPD welcomes Cynthia Hines to the position of Accountant B. Ms. Hines will join the Construction Enforcement Department beginning this month.
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The Division is focused on helping our employees work smarter and our customers and partners better navigate the tools and resources available to help them do business.
The Division is currently seeking a Business Services Analyst to analyze data systems and design process improvements for development services. Applications are being accepted at http://bit.ly/DPD-Analyst. The deadline to apply is February 3, 2021.
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The Draft Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (CPT-HSTP) Update is available for a 30-day public review and comment period from January 8-February 7, 2021. Click on the links below to view and/or download the documents. Comments may be submitted to Pragati Srivastava via email at Pragati.Srivastava@memphistn.gov.
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