Once more you said "public, open, active, and green"
So many of you visited the FfOR booth at Cooper-Young Festival and took the Vision Test, that at one point we ran out of questionnaires. The results confirmed what you've been saying all along --
Private development is fine on private land, but keep our public spaces public.
Memphians treasure the public land on the riverfront, and you were overwhelmingly in favor of protecting and revitalizing the Public Promenade as a green, open, and vibrant public space on the bluff that connects to trails, parks, and neighborhoods citywide. We counted the ballots.
The Vision Test asked what you see on the four blocks of the Public Promenade between Union and Adams. 303 said you want it to be public, open, active, and green; 19 said you like it the way it is; and 5 said you want it developed for condos, offices, and retail. There were 13 people who either didn't make a selection or selected more than one option.
For those of you who weren't able to attend the festival and didn't get a chance to participate, you can find a version of the test here.
You said the same thing when Mayor Riley visited Memphis in 2005 and added more details at the Public Forum to Envision the Promenade. Here's a summary of what you've been saying. Actually there were three downtown plans in the 1970s-80s that made these same recommendations for our riverfront.
Seems like it's time for the City and RDC to start listening to the public, throw-away that Cooper Robertson Plan , and move in the right direction.
It's Architecture Month
It's September, and to kick-off Architecture Month, AIA and Memphis Heritage sponsored a chalk art contest at the downtown Farmer's Market last Saturday. A FfOR team headed by Renee Lartigue joined the fun.
Here are the team artists, Don Richardson, Renee, and Sue Williams, at work on their creation, "Let's Promenade."
Financial benefits of parks - Chicago proves the point
For a long time, planners and city administrators have been looking at the spin-off, financial benefits of revitalizing parks. There are lots of examples, but none may be more dramatic than the financial redevelopment of the Loop area in Chicago where much of the credit for the rebirth goes to Millenium Park.
There's a story here for Memphis. The potential exists to revitalize the Memphis Public Promenade and help transform the core of downtown.
Good memories & a bright future
Friends for Our Riverfront members, Memphis Heritage members, and AIA representatives gathered at 509 S. Main for a "last" Last Friday Trolley Night event before Memphis Heritage moves its headquarters to Midtown. Pictured are June West, Executive Director of Memphis Heritage and member of the FfOR board (seated); Heather Baugus, Executive Director, American Institute of Architects; Jean Beard, Memphis Heritage board member; and FfOR board members Don Richardson and Sue A. Williams (from left to right.)