Towers on the Bluff?

It's hard to imagine two skyscrapers on the west side of Wagner between Beale and Pontotoc, but that's what the Land Use Control Board (LUCB) will consider on June 11.

As proposed the Towers could be 45 and 35 stories tall and would cut off public access to the Bluffwalk and trolley stop. Planning regulations in the South Main District prohibit the massive scale of development proposed, however staff at the Office of Planning and Development recommends approval.

To some this is desired downtown economic development. To others there are concerns that it is short-sighted development that will block views and radically alter the unique historic charm of the area.  Others favor postponing a vote on the project until adequate drawings and information on the project's seismic, environmental, and economic viability is available.


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At 45 stories, the northern tower will be the tallest building downtown and dwarf Waterford Tower (17 stories), Auto Zone Headquarters, Belz Tower, and buildings on Main, Beale, and the adjacent Candy Factory, considered a role-model for S. Main redevelopment. 
Staff Report: Click on project and then on pdf link to download report.
Towers   PD 15-308

Links to newspaper articles: Daily NewsCommercial Appeal

Land Use Control Board Meeting 
Thursday, 10 am, City Hall, City Council Chambers
or comments may be emailed to Troy.frasier@memphistn.gov

Public Access to Bluffwalk & Trolley Stop

Whatever position people take about the Towers being proposed on Wagner at Beale, a seperate but linked item on the Land Use Control Board agenda has met almost unanimous concern and opposition. It's the proposal to close Martin Luther King Blvd. (formerly Linden) to make way for a building and swimming pool between the Towers. 

Currently a tree-lined, cobblestone and concrete pathway, the public right-of-way leads from Wagner west one block to the Bluff's edge. From downtown, It provides important ADA-compliant, public access to the Bluffwalk and riverfront loop Trolley stop.

 

Staff Report: Click on project and then on pdf link to download report. Public Right-of-Way SAC 15-606