City of Memphis
There’s a new comprehensive plan to guide the city forward as it approaches its bicentennial and officials want to know what you think.
A little over 400 pages long, the Memphis 3.0 plan took two years to devise and is a combined effort of city officials, local nonprofits, community partners, and more than 15,000 residents.
The plan largely focuses on “building up, not out,” aiming to support existing residents, attract new residents and visitors, and reduce inequities. In the past, city leaders focused on annexation and expanding the city limits, but that led to resources being spread thin and had adverse effects on the core neighborhoods, according to the document.
The idea is to improve and invest in the city’s core and surrounding neighborhoods in order to create dense, walkable, connected communities.
The plan has eight specific goals that fall under three categories: land, connectivity, and opportunity. The goals include creating:
•Complete, cohesive communities
•Vibrant civic spaces
•Sustainable and resilient communities
•High performing infrastructure
•Connected corridors and communities
•Equitable opportunities
•Prosperous and affordable communities
•Engaged communities
The document also details specific strategies for nurturing, accelerating, or sustaining certain neighborhoods within the city’s 14 planning districts. For example, the plan suggests that The Edge neighborhood should be accelerated by increasing its cultural identity and incentivizing the rehab and adaptive reuse of structures.
The plan also touches on transportation, safe streets, housing, parks, the environment, as well as access to fresh food, jobs, and education.
The public has until February 8th to submit feedback on the plan via email to info@memphis3point0.com, via mail to the Office of Comprehensive Planning, or fax at 901-636-6603.
The plan is slated to go before the Memphis and Shelby County Land Use Control Board for adoption on February 14th, followed by the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission.
If adopted, the Memphis 3.0 plan will guide future policies, investments, and partnerships made by the city over the next 20 years.
