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Jackson
Planning District
About Jackson
The Jackson planning district is composed of strong, culturally diverse neighborhoods that are supported by local businesses and institutions, have access to vibrant, well-maintained open space and parks, and are connected by safe, pedestrian-friendly streets throughout the district and to the rest of the City.
Jackson District Workshop #1 -
What We Heard
Thu, Aug 1 | Gaisman Community Center
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Tell us about your neighborhood's priorities. What has gotten better? What needs more attention?​
Image: Memphis 3.0 Jackson Community Meeting
Source: City of Memphis
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District Priorities
How Did We Analyze Community Feedback​​​​​​
What We Heard From Community Members​​​
Recommended Priorities​​
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​Increase access to open space through greenway development and the greening of vacant parcels
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Improve pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure with a focus on safety and accessibility.
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​​Residents want safer routes for children walking to school, with better crosswalks, lighting, and traffic calming measures.
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ADA accessibility is a key concern, particularly for elderly and disabled residents.
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Enhance pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, with a focus on school safety, ADA accessibility, and traffic calming measures.
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​There is a strong desire for more accessible green spaces and community gardens, particularly in underserved areas.​​
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Vacant parcels could be repurposed for greenways, parks, or community gardens.
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​​Expand access to green spaces and community gardens by repurposing vacant parcels and developing greenways, particularly in the southeastern part of the district.
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Promote urban design standards in commercial and residential areas
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There is a desire for more aesthetically pleasing commercial and residential areas, with less blight and more attention to design.
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Code enforcement could help ensure that properties are maintained and that new developments meet community standards.
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Implement urban design standards through code enforcement and beautification initiatives, including public art and improved landscaping.
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Encourage business capacity and diversity through small business incentives for vacant properties and rezoning.
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There is a desire for more increased commercial activities within the neighborhoods.
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Offer incentives for small businesses to fill vacant properties and diversify the types of businesses in the district.
Anchors
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Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Establish strategies for large-scale
vacancies that include creation of
green space. -
Develop gateway project at Graham & Chelsea.
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This area should remain a Neighborhood Crossing with improvements to lighting and pedestrian infrastructure.
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Need better lighting near the railway.
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Need pedestrian access and safety around the railway
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
1. GRAHAM & CHELSEA
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Incentivize commercial owners to
improve blighted areas.
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Original location of Jerry’s sno cones. Jerry’s was the force that was making this an anchor. Now without Jerry’s community members would like to see a kid focused community serving place.
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing​
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Recommended Land Use: Neighborhood Single Family/ Neighborhood Commercial
Make this no longer an anchor although there are commercial uses it would likely be better served as a neighborhood serving low intensity commercial area.
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*After the Jackson 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.
2. WELLS STATION & REEDS
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Seek funding sources for increasing density developments in areas/anchors considered prime for growth.
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Community Concerns about speeding and speed control measurements like speedbumps are not working to control traffic.
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Because of the Mix of building types and the types of community serving commercial businesses this should remain a neighborhood crossing. There should also be attention given to other traffic calming measures.
3. WELLS STATION & GREY
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Provide opportunities for small
business owners that involve anti-blight strategies and small maintenance/ repair tactics. -
Encourage residents to adopt areas for beautification.
No significant community feedback at Workshop 1.
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Even Though this anchor wasn’t really mentioned too much in the meeting the planning team thinks it is important to point out that the strong mix of building types that are surrounding the anchor makes this location appropriate to remain a neighborhood Crossing.
4. MACON & BERCLAIR
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Reuse vacant lots and land for park use and open green space, community gardens, and community space.
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Community members are concerned about the after school programs that recently closed and wanted buildings that would support new youth activities
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing/ Neighborhood Commercial
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Update the surrounding communities to reflect the multifamily supporting communities. Because of the mix of building types we believe that this is still an appropriate Neighborhood Crossing.
*After the Jackson 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.
5. MACON & HOMER
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Reuse vacant lots and land for park use and open green space, community gardens, and community space
No significant community feedback at Workshop 1.
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Because of the mix of building types around the commercial area that it is appropriate to call it a Neighborhood Crossing.
6. JANICE & BERCLAIR
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Explore appropriate food access
strategies. -
Use grants provided for small business owners to facilitate minor repairs.
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Community members were primarily concerned with the local businesses, making sure there was no trash or blight, and pedestrian safety
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing​
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Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
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* This anchor is Mislabeled in the Memphis 3.0 Plan as neighborhood Crossing but will be updated to reflect a neighborhood Mainstreet.
7. MACON & VICTOR
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Work with local artists to create
temporary and permanent art
installations that reflect cultural
background and pride of the area.
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Community members would like to see the installation of public art neat the library and improvement to pedestrian access and safety to both the library and the boys and girls club.
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
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Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing/ Neighborhood Commercial
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This is a library a boys and girls club it does not have a mix of building types around it and is worth future discussion about its status as an anchor. Neighborhood Crossing
*After the Jackson 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.
8. GIVEN & ISABELLE
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Provide opportunities for small
business owners that involve anti-blight strategies and small maintenance and repair tactics.
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Community Members are okay with this no longer being an anchor and are satisfied if this anchor were to be moved. Community Members wanted us to Improve lighting and accessibility near Gaisman Community Center.
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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Recommended Anchor Type: Neighborhood Crossing
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We believe that this is still an appropriate space for an anchor neighborhood crossing because of it’s impact on Gaisman Park.
9. MACON & WELLS STATION
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Consider land use changes to open space and incorporate sound pollution buffers around areas of high traffic.
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Ensure a diverse amount of healthy food options that celebrates ethnic and cultural diversity.
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Improve pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. Attract new businesses to the area.
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Existing Anchor Type: Neighborhood Main Street
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Recommended Anchor Type: Urban Main Street
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Urban Main Street connect to the development to that is happening on Summer Avenue.
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* This anchor is Mislabeled in the Memphis 3.0 Plan as Neighborhood Main Street but will be updated to reflect a Urban Mainstreet.
10. SUMMER & GRAHAM
Existing Anchor Actions
Summary of Community Feedback
Anchor Type
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Allocate capital funding to connect Heights to Hampline and improve stormwater management.
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Identify housing and civic uses for
infill within anchor to create mixed-use corridors.
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Overall Positive reaction to the Heights line project some community members concerned about National becoming more walkable and less car centric. Overall goal to attract both large and small business to the area.
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Existing Anchor Type: Urban Main Street
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Recommended Anchor Type: Urban Main Street/ Neighborhood Mainstreet
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Urban Main Street is appropriate for Summer but a lesser intensity like Neighborhood Main Street is more appropriate for National.
Our hope is that his dual designation will attract more community scale businesses to National and larger scale businesses to Summer.
11. SUMMER & NATIONAL
Summary of Community Feedback
Comprehensive Planning Analysis
Remarks
The Jackson Corridor, particularly around the International Flea Market, has significant potential for revitalization. Residents want to see upgraded commercial properties, improved pedestrian safety, and a stronger reflection of the community’s cultural identity. While the flea market is a key focal point, it may not function as a traditional anchor but could serve as a catalyst for economic activity along the corridor.
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Community Hub: The International Flea Market serves as a central hub for community activity, drawing residents and visitors for shopping, cultural exchange, and social interaction. Unlike the rest of Jackson Avenue, the flea market is a destination where people gather.
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Cultural and Economic Significance: The flea market is a cultural landmark that reflects the diversity of the community, particularly the Hispanic population. It generates economic activity and supports local vendors, making it a vital part of the neighborhood’s economy.
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Walkable and Mixed-Use Potential: While the broader Jackson Avenue is autocentric, the flea market area has the potential to become more walkable and mixed-use. Improvements to the flea market’s design and infrastructure could enhance its role as a Neighborhood Main Street Anchor, fostering a sense of place and community pride.​
​​Recommended FLU Designation: Anchor Neighborhood Mainstreet
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The International Flea Market is best classified as an Anchor Neighborhood Main Street (A-NMS) because of its potential to become a walkable, mixed-use hub that fosters community interaction and economic growth.
In contrast, Jackson Avenue as a whole is a Commercial Services Low (CSL) corridor due to its auto-oriented design, low-intensity commercial uses, and lack of walkability. This side-by-side comparison highlights the key differences between the two place types and underscores the importance of treating the flea market as a community anchor while improving Jackson Avenue as a supporting corridor
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An analysis of Neighborhood Main Street and Low Intensity Community Services is available here.
12. JACKSON CORRIDOR (INTERNATIONAL FLEA MARKET)
Summary of Community Feedback
Comprehensive Planning Analysis
Remarks
The intersection of Graham St and Bayliss Ave is a critical area for school zone safety, as it serves Kingsbury Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. Residents have expressed significant concerns about speeding traffic and the lack of pedestrian infrastructure, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times. The area currently lacks high-visibility crosswalks, ADA-compliant ramps, and other essential safety measures, creating hazards for students and families walking to school. The intersection has no dedicated crosswalks or pedestrian signals, and the wide street design of Graham St exacerbates speeding, making it difficult for pedestrians to cross safely. To address these issues, residents have recommended installing RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons), raised crosswalks, bump-outs, and landscaped medians with pedestrian refuge islands. They also emphasized the need for sidewalk improvements to create a safer and more inviting environment. As a key access point for students and families, improving safety at this intersection would have a significant positive impact on the entire Berclair neighborhood fostering a safer and more walkable community.
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Lack of Mixed-Use Development:
Anchors are typically mixed-use areas that combine residential, commercial, and community uses. This area lacks commercial or retail activity, which is a key component of an anchor.
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No Central Hub:
While the schools and nonprofits are important community resources, they do not create a central hub or destination where people gather for multiple purposes (e.g., shopping, dining, socializing)
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Overbuilt Road:
The overbuilt road design makes the area less walkable and less conducive to the kind of pedestrian-friendly environment that anchors require. Anchors thrive in walkable, bikeable areas with active streetscapes, which this area lacks.
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Residential Focus:
The area is primarily residential, with a focus on single-family homes. While this is important for the neighborhood, it does not align with the mixed-use, community-oriented nature of an anchor.
Recommended FLU Designation: Anchor Neighborhood Primarily Single Unit (AN-S)​​
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Proximity to Anchor Amenities:
The area is located within a 10-minute walk of potential anchor amenities (e.g., schools, nonprofits), which aligns with the AN-S place type. This proximity makes it easier for residents to access community resources without relying on cars.
Stabilization of Single-Family Neighborhoods:
The area exemplifies the preservation and stabilization of single-family neighborhoods, which is a key goal of the AN-S place type. By maintaining and improving the residential character of the area, we can create a stable, walkable neighborhood that supports the broader anchor.
Walkable and Transit-Oriented:
While the overbuilt road is a challenge, the area has the potential to become more walkable and transit-oriented with improvements to pedestrian infrastructure and traffic calming measures. This aligns with the AN-S goal of creating walkable neighborhoods that support plan goals and objectives.
Community Resources:
The presence of schools and nonprofits within walking distance of the residential area supports the AN-S goal of locating housing near services and jobs. This creates a healthy, connected neighborhood where residents can easily access essential services.
13. GRAHAM & BAYLISS
Summary of Community Feedback
Comprehensive Planning Analysis
Remarks
Residents have identified the Macon and Vaughn area, particularly around the Gaisman Community Center, as a key location for improvement. The primary concerns revolve around safety, accessibility, and community resources. Residents highlighted the lack of adequate lighting near the community center, which creates safety and mobility issues, especially in the evenings. They also pointed out the absence of high-visibility crosswalks, making it difficult and unsafe for pedestrians to cross the street to access the community center. Additionally, there is strong interest in utilizing the Gaisman Community Center as a hub for community activities, such as hosting a weekly or monthly farmer’s market, which would provide fresh food options and foster community engagement. Overall, the community wants to see Gaisman Community Center become a central gathering place that enhances quality of life and strengthens the neighborhood’s sense of community.
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Lack of Mixed-Use Development:
The area is purely residential and institutional, with no commercial or retail activity. Anchors require a mix of uses to function as community hubs.
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No Central Hub:
While the park and community center are important, they do not create a central gathering place or destination for multiple purposes (e.g., shopping, dining, socializing).
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Residential Focus:
The area is primarily single-family residential, which is important for the neighborhood but does not align with the mixed-use, community-oriented nature of an anchor.
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Limited Walkability:
While the road is not overbuilt, the lack of a quality crosswalk and pedestrian infrastructure limits walkability to the park and community center.
Recommended FLU Designation: Anchor Neighborhood Primarily Single Unit (AN-S)​​
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Proximity to Anchor Amenities: The area is within a 10-minute walk of the park and community center, which aligns with the AN-S goal of locating housing near services. This proximity makes it easier for residents to access community resources without relying on cars.
Stabilization of Single-Family Neighborhoods: The area exemplifies the preservation and stabilization of single-family neighborhoods, which is a key goal of the AN-S place type.
Walkable and Transit-Oriented Potential: While the area currently lacks pedestrian infrastructure, the desire for a quality crosswalk shows potential for improving walkability. This aligns with the AN-S goal of creating walkable neighborhoods that support plan goals and objectives.
Community Resources:
The presence of a park and community center within walking distance of the residential area supports the AN-S goal of locating housing near services and jobs.
This creates a healthy, connected neighborhood where residents can easily access essential services.
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An analysis of Anchor Neighborhood Primarily Single Unit and Anchor Neighborhood Crossing is available here.
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14. MACON & VAUGHN
Summary of Community Feedback
Comprehensive Planning Analysis
Remarks
The Macon and National area is currently best classified as Commercial Services Low (CSL) due to its auto-oriented design, low-intensity commercial uses, and lack of walkability. While it has potential to become an anchor in the future, it does not currently meet the criteria for a Neighborhood Crossing Anchor (A-NC). By improving pedestrian infrastructure and encouraging mixed-use development, the area could eventually transition to a more walkable, community-oriented place type. For now, it serves as an important supporting corridor for the surrounding neighborhood.
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Lack of Mixed-Use Development:
The area is dominated by single-use commercial businesses (gas stations, car detailer, tire shop), which do not create a mixed-use hub.
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No Central Hub:
While the businesses provide essential services, they do not create a central gathering place or destination for multiple purposes (e.g., shopping, dining, socializing).
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Residential Disconnect:
The auto-oriented businesses are not well-integrated into the surrounding residential neighborhood, creating a disconnect between the commercial and residential areas.
Recommended FLU Designation: Low-Intensity Commercial (CSL)​​
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The area is dominated by low-intensity commercial services (gas stations, car detailer, tire shop), which align with the CSL place type.
These businesses provide essential services but do not create a cohesive, walkable district.
Community Role:
While the businesses provide essential services, they do not foster community interaction or create a central hub.
The area’s role is to support local commerce rather than serve as a community gathering place.
*After the Jackson 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.
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An analysis of Anchor Neighborhood Crossing and Low Intensity Community Services is available here.
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15. MACON & NATIONAL
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
Area Goals and Actions
Neighborhood Aesthetic & Property Management
Residents want blight and vacancy removal and improved property maintenance.
Implement a vacancy toolkit and enforce property maintenance standards in areas like Macon and Victor.
Public Art and Cultural Resources
Residents want to see public art, murals, and cultural resources integrated into the neighborhood to foster pride of place.
Develop a public art program that includes murals, sculptures, and cultural installations in key areas like Graham St, Stratford Rd, and Summer Ave
Public Safety & Community Well-being
Concerns about crime, illegal dumping, and overgrown areas.
Increase lighting, organize cleanups, and address blight in anchors like Gaisman Community Center.
Jackson District Goals and Actions
Local Business & Economy
Residents want more local businesses and fewer title loan shops, dollar stores, and gas stations.
Offer incentives for small businesses and diversify the types of businesses in the district.
Urban Infrastructure & Road Improvements
Residents want safer roads, better pedestrian infrastructure, and traffic calming measures.
Redesign roads to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety, particularly near schools.
Recreation & Community Amenities
Residents want more parks, trails, and community centers.
Increase Access to Quality Fresh Foods
Residents want to address food deserts by expanding healthy corner store initiatives and attracting grocery stores.
Repurpose vacant lots for parks, trails, and community gardens.
Partner with local organizations to expand healthy food options and attract a grocery store to the district.
Citywide Goals & Actions
Community Engagement & Communication
Residents want more involvement in planning decisions and better communication about projects.
Host regular community meetings and improve transparency in decision-making.
Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning & Development
Comprehensive Planning Department
125 N Main Street, Ste 468
901-636-6601
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