Preparations for the Great Streets Pilot Project, a new east-to-west corridor of protected bike lanes, pedestrian plazas, and interactive public art will begin this weekend.
The space will serve as a connector between the riverfront, Downtown, Midtown, and locations further east.
“The Great Streets Pilot Project is founded on the idea that, with high-quality and people-oriented design, streets can function safely and efficiently for all users— whether they travel on foot, by bike, transit, or car,” the City’s bikeway and pedestrian manager Nicholas Oyler said. “We look forward to inviting our citizens and visitors to view our streets from a new perspective.”
Beginning at the western end of the corridor and moving eastward, Public Works crews, along with hired contractors will start Saturday re-striping and applying fresh asphalt to parts of Beale, Front, and Fourth Street, as well as Peabody Place, which will house a pedestrian promenade with areas for lounging, eating, and other activities.
Depending on the weather, the City expects the paving and striping phase to be complete in the next two to four weeks.
Following the completion of the basic infrastructure, the UrbanArt Commission will coordinate an effort to apply on-street murals, set up outdoor seating areas, and complete landscaping.
The public is invited to help lay down the finishing touches on Saturday, June 24 for a Volunteer Build Day.
The project’s opening will be celebrated at a party on Tuesday, June 27, in conjunction with the national conference for the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals hosted in Downtown Memphis.
