A Memphis Conversation

Shelby County Schools Budget Information Sessions
May 8, 2018, 6pm at Snowden School,  1870 N. Parkway
May 10, 2018, 6pm at Oakhaven High School,  3125 Ladbrook
May 24, 2018, 6pm at Germantown Elementary School,  2730 Cross Country Dr.
Concerned citizens are invited to attend to learn about the budget approval process and the school district’s proposed investments for the 2018-19 school year.  Free dinner and childcare provided.

Public Meeting: Latest Parking Design Concept for the Memphis Zoo in Overton Park Wednesday, February 21, 2018, 6-7:30 p.m.
Pink Palace Museum, IMAX Theater, 3050 Central Avenue
Attendees enter through the main museum entrance on the east side of the building.
During the meeting, the design team will present the proposed concept plan to the attendees and talk about factors that informed its development. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session, and representatives of the City and the design team will answer as many questions as time allows. For those who cannot attend, or for those with additional thoughts after the presentation, questions and comments can be sent via the project email to zooparkinginfo@caissaps.com through Feb. 28. All questions and comments received during that time will be collected and reviewed by the City and design team, posted to the city’s website, and responses will be provided as appropriate.

Shelby County Schools Academic Strategies Survey
on line at: https://goo.gl/forms/Sysg1tQ0NKjDWoxD3
In addition to the Academic Plan Public Input listening tour noted below, the Shelby County Schools have an on line survey. SCS says as part of its efforts to meet its 2025 academic goals it wants “to hear from educators, employees and the greater community about our strategies for keeping students on a path to college and career-readiness.”

Memphis Fairgrounds Redevelopment Project
Current availabilities: on-line survey
Plan finalization target date: December, 2017
City Council approval Target Date: January, 2018
Application to State for Tourism Development Zone: early, 2018
The City of Memphis proposes to redevelop the site of the Fairgrounds at Central Avenue and East Parkway primarily as a youth sports complex. It hopes to draw youth athletic teams from around the region, particularly on weekends. During the week, some of the facilities will be available for use by city residents (primarily the outdoor facilities). The plan is not final but the city is targeting December, 2017, to finalize the plan, present it to the City Council in January, 2018, and to apply to the state for a Tourism Development Zone (TDZ) designation thereafter. The TDZ, which uses increased sales tax revenue, is how the city plans to finance the estimated $160-million project, although the mayor admits that the plans may be curtailed if the financing does not meet that goal. Some of the plan highlights as of November, 2017, building a large indoor sports facility, outdoor sports facilities, a hotel, a 500 car parking garage, some newly built retail facilities, and mothballing the Mid South Coliseum. Additional information from the City, including a survey for public input, may be found at MemphisFairgrounds.com. That city maintained site also has presentation graphics presented at various meetings, including the plan outline  provided at the most recent public meeting held November 6, 2017. Additional information from independent groups can also be found at coliseumcoalition.org and fairgroundsfriends.org.

Jeff Speck Recommendations for Memphis Riverfront The Report is available on-line. This presentation was made Monday, March 18, 2013, 5:30 p.m., Cook Convention Center,Room 205, but as noted the written report is available on-line. Author/consultant/new urbanism advocate/architect/planner Jeff Speck will be back in Memphis and at the request of Mayor Wharton has analyzed past plans and will share his thoughts and recommendations for the Memphis riverfront.