.png){kind=small}
University
Planning District
About University
The University District is a regional asset with safe, walkable neighborhoods, thriving mixed use centers, diverse and affordable housing options. The district has active public spaces and strong connections between anchors and neighborhoods.
University District Workshop #1 -
What We Heard
District Priorities
Community Feedback
Existing Priorities
Recommended Priorities​​
​​​​​
-
Stabilize and preserve the character of neighborhoods
-
Improve pedestrians and cyclist infrastructure to increase accessibility and support multi-modal transportation options
-
Community members generally agree with this priority they feel as if the priority should focus on infrastructure a bit more.
-
Enhance pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure to improve safety, accessibility, and connectivity, supporting a diverse range of multi-modal transportation options
-
Community member generally agree with this priority they felt as if it is a bit vague and should be updated to reflect what makes up neighborhood character specifically the cultural, historic, and architectural assets.
-
Preserve and enhance the unique character of neighborhoods by protecting cultural, historic, and architectural assets.
​​​
-
Promote re-use strategies to address vacancy and concentrations of blight
-
Community members largely agreed with is priority however it was clear that they wanted to move away from promoting strategies and move more towards incentivization and investment as a priority.
-
Encourage investment and incentivize re-use strategies to address vacancy and concentrations of blight
-
Revitalize existing distressed commercial centers
-
Community members largely agreed with is priority however it was clear that they wanted to be more specific about incentivization.
-
Provide incentives for the revitalization of distressed commercial centers, focusing on targeted investment and strategic development
Anchors
%20Workshop%201.jpg)
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Encourage community events or informal markets on underutilized parking lots and vacant land.
-
Retrofit streets to connect broken links and encourage connectivity.
-
Identify alternative funding streams for park improvements to support economic growth around anchor neighborhoods.
-
Binghampton residents are concerned about the vacant land surrounding their area.
-
Community members express strong appreciation for Tillman Cove as a valuable asset.
-
Safety concerns along Sam Cooper Blvd, stretching from Lester Tillman and McAdoo to the Binghampton Gateway.
-
Community members identified this as one distinct anchor, not multiple.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​
A-NMS calls for walkable, mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings lining main streets, serving as moderate-intensity anchors for surrounding neighborhoods.
1. BINGHAMPTON GATEWAY (LESTER/TILLMAN)
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Identify alternative funding streams for park improvements to support economic growth around anchor neighborhoods.
-
Activate public space within anchors through design and programming to attract growth and density.
-
Community members have expressed a need for improved pedestrian infrastructure in the area.
-
The houses around the main anchor are primarily single-family homes.
-
There is a call for better improvements to Binghampton Park to enhance its usability and appeal.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing​
​​
-
Recommended Land Use: Neighborhood Crossing
​​
A-NC calls for small, walkable mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings embedded within residential neighborhoods, providing convenient services and community gathering spaces.​
2. MERTON & HARVARD & OXFORD
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Support "Aging in Place" programs.
-
Develop design principles for anchors and key corridors to improve aesthetics of area.
-
There is an increase in trash near the dollar store, and the surrounding stores need a facelift.
-
There is a request for a left lane at Colonial Village to improve traffic flow, and a traffic study is needed to assess and address these issues.
-
There are concerns about crossing safety at the intersection of Quince and Mt. Moriah near Colonial Middle School.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​
A-NMS calls for walkable, mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings lining main streets, serving as moderate-intensity anchors for surrounding neighborhoods.
​
​
3. COLONIAL VILLAGE
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Limit predatory-type businesses like payday loan businesses.
-
Support the development of small area plans around anchors.
-
There is a need for commercial revitalization in the area, including facelifts and beautification efforts to improve its appearance.
-
It should not be considered an anchor. Instead, the focus should be on connecting residents to the Colonial Village anchor, enhancing accessibility and community engagement.
​​
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Commercial Services Low Intensity
​
* After the University District Workshop, we added the Category of Neighborhood Commercial Services. Retroactively the planning team believes that this would be a better fit. We will engage further with community for feedback.
4. DUNN & CHERRY
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Create school zones around university campuses for traffic calming.
-
Seek funding sources for developments with higher density in anchor areas considered prime for smart growth.
-
Community members feel that Audubon Park is a valuable asset to the neighborhood, enhancing walkability.
-
There is a suggestion to expand the campus to the southern side, mirroring the developments on the northern side to create more vibrancy.
-
There is a push to add denser student housing to support retail businesses and make better use of properties or houses that are currently underutilized.
-
In the Normal Station area, there is a desire to preserve the neighborhood's character.
-
Infrastructure improvements are needed along Spottswood Ave., Park Ave., and Perkins.
-
Community members suggest adding a bus stop and shelter by the University of Memphis campus, as well as installing sidewalks along Cherry and Park.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Campus Institutional
​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Campus Institutional
​
A-C calls for walkable hospital and university campuses that catalyze activity in adjacent mixed-use areas, serving as anchors for medical and educational institutions.
​
5. UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Encourage community events or informal markets at Audubon Park and on underutilized land.
-
Provide crossing lights and caution lights at intersections or high speed zones.
-
Identify redevelopment plans for key economic corridors to support business development.
-
There are concerns about congestion and traffic at a particular intersection.
-
Beautification efforts, more greenspace, and improvements to the shopping center are needed, along with the addition of a bus stop with covering.
-
To increase accessibility, bikeability and walkability should be enhanced, particularly along Getwell Rd and Rhodes Ave.
-
A concentration of commercial development is desired along Getwell Rd.
-
There is blight in areas like Park in Orange Mound and Sherwood Forest, and a park within walking distance is needed.
-
A cooperative agreement with MSCS for land is necessary to improve the area.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​
A-NMS calls for walkable, mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings lining main streets, serving as moderate-intensity anchors for surrounding neighborhoods.
6. PARK & GETWELL
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Improve connectivity through bike and pedestrian upgrades.
-
Conduct a parking and mobility study to support anchor connectivity.
-
Increase context sensitive development and infill.
-
Conduct a parking and mobility study to support anchor connectivity
-
Broad Avenue features a mix of building types, with the community preferring to maintain this variety.
-
Community is open to larger-scale developments. However, there was strong opposition to buildings being torn down and replaced with apartments.
-
There was concern about building heights. New developments at the end of Sam Cooper are generally appreciated. They are not too tall, which is seen positively.
-
The community is uncertain about Broad Avenue's future land use designation.
-
Concerns about pedestrian safety at the intersection of Poplar Avenue and Scott Street, especially near the railroad. Need for proper crosswalks and speed limits in the area.
-
Broad Avenue's eastern expansion, particularly near Binghampton Gateway, is seen as a positive step.
​​
-
Existing Anchor Type: Urban Center​
​​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Urban Mainstreet
​​
Urban Mainstreet is a more appropriate land use.
Anchor Urban Center calls for Walkable, mixed-use centers with multi-story block-scale buildings, forming districts that serve as higher-intensity anchors for urban neighborhoods.
Anchor Urban Mainstreet Walkable, vertically mixed-use centers with block-scale buildings along main streets, serving as moderate to high-intensity anchors for urban neighborhoods.
​
7. HIGHLAND STREET (HIGHLAND ROW)
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Upgrade corridor with street and façade improvements.
-
There were not a lot of community feedback about this area as much. People were generally content with the way things were here.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
​​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
​
A-NC calls for small, walkable mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings embedded within residential neighborhoods, providing convenient services and community gathering spaces.
​
8. HIGH POINT AREA
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Within anchors, ensure zoning designations support, maintain and encourage walkable, mixed-use infill development.
-
Support multi-modal transportation infrastructure to connect high activity areas.
-
Community concerns about the quality of stores at Oak Court Mall, preferring boutiques over chain stores.
-
Suggestion to repurpose the mall through zoning changes to accommodate apartments and a hotel.
-
Residents largely avoid the mall but see the intersection as having potential for a national audience.
-
Deep community value for the trees and secluded atmosphere of Oak Court Mall, with a desire to maintain this peaceful feeling in redevelopment plans.
-
Support for increasing landscaping at nearby Laurelwood and improving the overall vibrancy of the area with activities and services.
-
Need for traffic management improvements, including: Addressing congestion. Adding a left-turn signal. Adding pedestrian walkways and sidewalks on Southern near Oak Court. Conducting a traffic study to improve walkability, especially around the railroad crossing.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​​
A-NMS calls for walkable, mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings lining main streets, serving as moderate-intensity anchors for surrounding neighborhoods.
9. OAK COURT MALL
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Support multi-modal transportation infrastructure to connect high activity areas.
-
There were not a lot of community feedback about this area as much. People were generally content with the way things were here.
-
There were concerns about security and safety here.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
​​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
​​
A-NC calls for small, walkable mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings embedded within residential neighborhoods, providing convenient services and community gathering spaces.
​
10. POPLAR & HIGHLAND
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
-
Work with local artists and artist groups to reflect cultural diversity and heritage of area.
-
Identify redevelopment plans for key economic corridors for idealized businesses.
-
Provide crossing lights and caution lights at intersections or high-speed zones.
-
Develop programs and strategies specifically aimed at affordable commercial rents.
​​
-
Community members are concerned about Blight in the area.
-
They are concerned about how school traffic impacts communities.
-
Community members view this as a relevant anchor to University District.
-
Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​​
-
Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
​​
A-NMS calls for walkable, mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings lining main streets, serving as moderate-intensity anchors for surrounding neighborhoods.
11. GETWELL & SHARPE (LAMAR DISTRICT ANCHOR)
Summary of Community Feedback
Comprehensive Planning Analysis
Remarks
This intersection is the entrance to the Dixon Gallery. Community members wanted to see increased walkability and visibility. Community members also feel as if this area would benefit from traffic studies. They feel like road diets that have been installed have been dangerous and should have higher research.
-
Cultural and Economic Significance: The Dixon Gallery is a culturally significant location in the City of Memphis.
​​
-
Limited Walkability: While the road is not overbuilt, there is a disconnect between the gallery and adjacent park.​
​​Recommended FLU Designation: Anchor Neighborhood Primarily Single Family
​​
AN-S Walkable neighborhoods within a 5–10-minute walk of a Community Anchor, consisting mainly of single-unit housing, with a focus on preservation and infill development.
The Surrounding Neighborhoods are primarily single unit neighborhoods. By maintaining and improving the residential character of the area, we can create a stable, walkable neighborhood that supports the broader anchor.
​
An analysis of Anchor Neighborhood Primarily Single Unit is available here on page 8.
12. PARK & CHERRY (DIXON GALLERY )
Summary of Community Feedback
Comprehensive Planning Analysis
Remarks
Community members wanted to see improved Walkability but understand that this location is comprised of primarily Big Box Stores.
-
Cultural and Economic Significance: This shopping center is active and vibrant and is a shopping destination in this district.
​
-
Limited Walkability: the lack of pedestrian infrastructure limits walkability around the shopping center.​​
Recommended FLU Designation: Commercial Service High​​
​
This shopping center is auto oriented and filled with big box stores and has large parking lots.
High Intensity Commercial & Services (CSH): High-intensity, auto-oriented commercial areas with block-scale buildings, serving larger trade areas with large-scale retail and services.
​
13. EASTGATE SHOPPING CENTER
Actions
The Memphis 3.0 Jackson Planning District goals focus on enhancing community goals and actions through a structured approach that categorizes actions into three main areas: Citywide, Community, and Anchor-specific goals. This organization aims to reflect neighborhood feedback and adapt to evolving community needs five years after the initial plan's conception. By aligning these goals with multiple themes, the plan seeks to foster a more vibrant and inclusive environment for all residents.
Theme
Community Feedback
Recommended Action Item
Anchor Goals and Actions
Sharpe and Getwell
Community members feel there is a lack of adequate neighborhood crosswalks.
Consider planning additional pedestrian crossings in key areas to improve safety and connectivity.
University District Goals and Actions
Car Break-ins and Crime
Concerns about car break-ins and crime, especially with cars parked on the street or in driveways.
Investigate the relationship between parking, street lighting, and crime rates. Explore solutions like increased surveillance, neighborhood watch programs, and possibly converting some street parking to secure, gated spaces.
Traffic and Mobility Study
The community feels the entire area needs a comprehensive traffic and mobility study.
Commission a traffic and mobility study to assess current conditions and recommend improvements for pedestrian safety, traffic flow, and parking.
Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning & Development
Comprehensive Planning Department
125 N Main Street, Ste 468
901-636-6601
​