The Guardian of Memphis

I would disagree on the better market and location. One of the reasons the NBA moved here was the central location. I believe the market for football here is untapped, and we’ve seen some local kids make it in the NFL as of late. Not just Memphis, but the region. Basketball here is king, no doubt. It could work in Nashville too, but the ties run deep here more than anything. Memphis has more of an underdog, scrappy, edgy feel to it, compared to our sister city. If Memphis did have an NFL team, I would want the whole region to feel like it’s their team too. Need everybody at the table to support.

Awesome. Thanks. Liberty Park is a gem. I hope it will continue to grow.

Thought I’d share this from city nerd:

Wish this could be the Walk.

I agree, but since Jefferson Plaza can't be office, the only option is residential, and may not fit with a new structure that will and should go in the empty spot next to it. I was thinking the whole block can be like a smaller version of the Walk.

Great. Now tear down the structure next to it and put a high rise there. That whole block could use development - the hotel patrons need amenities next to it. Wish 201 wasn't so close.

If Louisville can be in the ACC, the Tigers need to be too.

I wish there wouldn’t be such an effort to keep things low, but the downtown commission and design review board may have a little something to do with this. The goal for Memphis is to resemble the European model, as most their structures aren’t that tall either. More of an intimate feeling rather than build something tall. I’m all for tall stuff, especially for Memphis, but if it makes Memphis unique to build low versus other cities I’ll take that too. My opinion, the downtown core should be mostly high rises, while the rest should be a smattering of mid to low rise. Rhythm is important when it comes to architecture.

Great picture indeed. The Ravine looks pretty good down there at the bottom left! I wish Madison Ave. was perfectly straight and not realigned like it is now. You’re right jb, just need to fill in with at least 6 more and the skyline would be perfect. Definitely need more density. I hope that’ll be the goal in the next 10 yrs.

"I mean, 50 years ago I don't think anyone would've suspected that Memphis would no longer be Tennessee's premier city and that even Knoxville would be on the verge of overtaking the Memphis area in population." Who knows what can happen in the next 50 years? "Not to mention that the Memphis MSA is shrinking, and Knoxville's is growing! There is a lot of talk on how much the Blue Oval facility will benefit Memphis, but I just do not think that will be as much of the case as will be the case for Jackson. The cost of living will be a lot cheaper east and around the plant itself. It will be more like a Spring Hill situation when Saturn was built. Blue Oval will benefit the local community where it is built even though it is about halfway between Memphis and Jackson. " Come on Smeagol, cut us some slack every once and awhile! LOL. Where's the love, dude? As I've stated before, Nashville and the region benefitted greatly from the two plants as explained in the video below. Hopefully the same will be felt for Memphis or close by. The video below explains what can happen for West Tennessee. There is still hope for this region even though most have given up on it. "Yes, Jackson will benefit more than Memphis from Ford Blue Oval as Memphis is too far away from plant. The big winners are the surrounding rural areas especially Jackson, TN whose airport could benefit. West Tennessee and Memphis badly need investment and growth." We've seen capital investment in Memphis. Tourism is a big economy in both Nashville and Memphis. Both do very well. There will continue to be investment because of, thankfully, the impact FedEx has on the region. As you can see below, looks like the distances between Jackson and Memphis are almost identical. One of the suburbs of Memphis, Arlington, TN, is only 15 min. away. Millington, TN, also a suburb, but farther, has seen interest as well.

Bout time! With all the vacant buildings being renovated, it’s only a matter of time when we’ll see new high rises being built. The demand will grow. Just need more hotels and maybe one more major amenity. Public safety will have to improve.

What bad optics? Maybe this is a learning experience and they’ll find out what can and can’t be done going forward.

Good. Hopefully more will come. Buckhead/Peachtree here we go!

Hasn’t the sign been up there all along? Can’t win them all. Perfect location for Shelby State and UTHSC students.

Wonder why they didn’t include the walkway in the original design?

It’s a good concept. Would this be near the cobblestones or on MI? I was thinking a canal-like plan because there’s land between one body of water.

Hopefully when the docks are expanded and we see more cruises we’ll have more hotel rooms. I guess it’s a wait and see approach (and being cautious) unfortunately.

It’s amazing to see all this going on: the Oliver, Vance 7, mobility center, st. Jude expansion, brooks museum, sterick and 100 n. Main on the way. Good times!!

True. I think there was a plan to have floating restaurants in wolf river harbor on the cobblestones - would create even more foot traffic. Really need to make Mud Island like the Riverwalk in SA, the canal walk in Indy or Baltimore inner harbor.

Thanks for the enlightenment about the property taxes on the MLGW site. To your point about the aquarium being on MI, it’d probably need to be on the southern end, because of the money it’d cost to build the bridge, plus parking would be easy. Don’t know what the harbor town folks would think though. Do they want all that traffic?

Agreed. The parking is already there next to the Bass Pro. My concern is the same for Mud Island. Access. Why not put it where MLGW is now (as an alternative)?

With talk of commercial/office space looking to take a step back, this is great. There are plenty of articles in the MBJ about remote work and offices being mostly empty, so this conversation makes sense. I hope they spruce up the exterior colors. Isn’t there supposed to be something built south of there too? If anyone remembers, the circular part used to be a dance club in the 80s.

Great source of pictures of Memphis here: https://memphislibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/

I was wondering where the money was going to come from. Question is, can we ask the state for future improvements along with the other venues when the time comes? Will there be pushback because of all the money that’ll be spent on Nashville’s stuff as well? It’ll be too much for the state to handle.

You’re only allowed to be the bearer of bad news once. No more! LOL. Hoping to see a hotel component someday. Heck, why not build a new one where the Hyatt was supposed to go or get rid of the MLGW bldg and put a resort there. The height must be lower than Peabody Place tower but definitely not two stories.