Beale Street Landing - What's This?




9 years of illustrations, most were aerial views, and there was a gray box on the roof.

But no longer. The elevator shaft is to be multi-colored, oversized, and it doesn't conform with the Downtown Memphis Commission sign guidelines.

The Design Review Board will decide the appropriateness of this design
Wednesday, June 6
5 pm
@ the Downtown Memphis Commission Office (114 North Main Street).

Attend or comment via email
to Paul Morris, DMC President (morris@downtownmemphis.com).
Copy Mayor A C Wharton (mayor@memphistn.gov).
Ask that your letter be read to or included in a packet for the Design Review Board members.

Memphis deserves better!

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Sunset Symphony - On the River

It's a great Memphis tradition, and the perfect way to celebrate on Memorial Day weekend.
Memphis in May Sunset Symphony
Sat., May 26, 2012
Tom Lee Park
Activities begin at 4:30 pm with the symphony at 7:30 and fireworks at 9.
Tickets are $8 in advance; $9, at the gate.



The event is sponsored by AutoZone, and this year's special guests are the Bar-Kays. ClickHERE for more information.

$2.3M in City Operating Budget for RDC

In the 2013 Operating Budget, money for the Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC) falls under "Grants & Agencies," which also includes funding for such diverse things as the Coliseum, Delta Commission on Aging. MATA, Urban Art, .... Click on budget sheet to enlarge.


Under an agreement set-up by Mayor Herenton, an annual direct payment from the City plus the income generated from riverfront businesses, leases, and fees flow to the RDC. After 10 years, the public/private RDC was to have been self-sufficient, but, according to the RDC, things aren't so rosy. As Beale Street Landing opens for business, they hope it will be "a wash," but they foresee sustainability problems. This year the RDC projects a $361,000 operating deficit.









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If you have problems with the embedded video coverage of the RDC/City Council Budget Committee session, click HERE.

ON the River

Time on the River changed John Ruskey's life, and he's sharing his knowledge and love of the River with others.



Click HERE to find out about joining John Ruskey on the River.

And ON the Bank this weekend

the aroma of barbecue roasting, eager participants, and those along for a great party -

May 17 - 19
Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
in Tom Lee Park.



Click HERE for info.

Click HERE for results!

Great Urban Oases

Frank Bruni was thinking and writing about community-minded priorities and great urban parks on his blog for the New York Times: "Several of them have the virtue of "wateriness" and are "sublimely situated pieces of real estate." Some are connected Emerald Necklaces. His list could/should include Memphis and our naturally spectacular riverfront!
Photo of cyclists heading for Stanley Park by Bonny Makarewicz for The New York Times.

Three of Bruni's favorites are: Margaret Island in Budapest, Stanley Park in Vancouver and Belle Isle in Detroit. Readers from all over the U. S., China, Europe, Central and South America added their favorites, places like the Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. .... Reading the comments was like a wonderful tour guide itself.

It was good to see that a reader from Michigan had added: " I share your affection of Belle Isle, which we both discovered while working at the Freep, but my favorite urban park will always be Overton Park in Memphis, a city whose charms are too rarely recognized." A good reminder of the beauty, parks, and pathways we have.

Where is this role model?



Seattle is looking at this space for some ideas for their waterfront. Originating in the Depression Era, the public space allows everyone to sit and read at no cost and without need for a library card or ID. A spot you're familiar with?

Read more ยป

Memphis in May - 1st Up Beale Street Music Festival


Memphis in May brings a month-full of fabulous events to our riverfront.
Click HERE for the line-up & schedule.