State of Downtown Memphis 2019/2020

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We gauge our success by a greater number of people living, working, and engaging in the Central Business Improvement District

and an increase in commercial property values, but our ultimate goal is to make Downtown Memphis more active, inviting, and interesting.

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FOR EVERY DISCOVERY

“ Downtown is the heart of our city and its success

fuels growth well beyond its borders.”

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INVESTMENTS BY DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS COMMISSION FY19

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At the Downtown Memphis Commission, we actively invest, activate, initiate, and encourage progressive and productive

CENTRAL

endeavors in our core, and we couldn’t do it without

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

the dynamic team of citizens, elected officials,

PILOT

DEVELOPMENT

developers, entrepreneurs, and a host of others who

APPLICATIONS

LOANS

recognize the mutual benefits that are created with an ever-changing, ever-growing Downtown.

(CBID)

This year, our affiliate boards’ approved PILOTs are expected to return an estimated annual tax increase of $1M during their PILOT periods. Of the

2ND

EXTERIOR

GARAGE

IMPROVEMENT +

FUNDING

OTHER GRANTS

PROJECT

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$4 billion in the Downtown development pipeline, 39 projects received DMC activations and events, 50 of those being Downtown Activation Grant recipients.

Thirteen emerging retailers/entrepreneurs tested their strategies via our Open on Main retail incubation initiative.

Downtown is now home to nearly 26,000 residents and almost 70,000 employees

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

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who are trending younger, more educated, and definitely more active.

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Through every development, every grant, every event, and every interaction,

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incentives in FY19. Our grants supported over 220 community-building

TIF

TOTAL PROJECTS *

we are focused on building a Downtown for everyone, and it is working for us all.

CR I -5 O S S I 5 NG

Sincerely,

*some projects with multiple incentives

Jennifer Oswalt, President, Downtown Memphis Commission

FOR EVERY CELEBRATION

FOR EVERY PACE

FOR EVERY PERSPECTIVE

Clean + Green Programs We invest our resources and partner with other organizations to create a more engaging Downtown environment. In the service of welcoming Memphians and visitors to our communal spaces, we are dedicated to the year-round management of events, landscaping, and maintenance of Court Square, activating and maintaining the Main Street Pedestrian Mall, coordinating and commissioning public art, and supplementing Downtown cleaning and landscaping efforts.

Creative partnerships with artists, Hospitality Hub’s Work Local effort, Keep America Beautiful, and others have allowed us to elevate trash pickup on weekends, institute regular power-washing, install over 35 new self-watering planters, and commission more than 60 murals throughout our core, along with other maintenance and beautification efforts.

FOR EVERY INSPIRATION

FOLLOWERS INCREASED TO:

Community Messaging and Outreach

52,246

The core of our mission is enabling people, organizations, and businesses

88,146

to build stronger connections with Downtown. Taking on this role and

22,890

sharing the ways we are available to assist are vital parts of our work.

We increase the area’s vitality by producing events, offering event grants, partnering in business recruitment and retention, engaging potential developers and tenants, as well as creating the communications and

15,723

public messaging to make Downtown’s guests and residents aware

SUBSCRIBERS TO NEWSLETTER

of these resources.

247,220,000 DMC grants/sponsorships provided funding for 223 community-building activations and events; 50 of those were Downtown Activation Grant recipients.

Food Truck Thursday: Serviced 792 trucks in FY19. August was our highest month for attendance with 110 trucks serviced.

DMC hosted free weekly yoga and pilates classes in Downtown Memphis Parks, averaging 150 attendees per week.

TOTAL DOWNTOWN IMPRESSIONS

DMC staff recruited and supported 13 emerging retailers/ entrepreneurs who tested their strategies via our Open on Main retail incubation initiative.

PROJECTS APPROVED FOR INCENTIVES IN FY19 A

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Downtown Memphis is a distinctive and constantly evolving community of historic properties,

1,506

603,041

600

RESIDENTIAL

SQ FT OF

HOTEL

UNITS

OFFICE SPACE

ROOMS

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potential restoration sites, and opportunities for new development. We’re called to navigate and guide the area’s progressive growth with an eye toward R

↓

↓

↓

2,832

2,109

180,018

NEW

NEW

DOWNTOWN

DOWNTOWN

DOWNTOWN

VISITOR

RESIDENTS

EMPLOYEES

NIGHTS

maintaining its unique authenticity and culture.

Our investments fuel our region’s future.

FOR EVERY STYLE

FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY

Development Initiatives There is currently $4 Billion in the Downtown

Through direct investment and intervention as well as project oversight, the DMC takes a multi-level role in ensuring the creation and maintenance of sound,

development pipeline, including 39 projects receiving DMC incentives in FY19.

high-quality, successful developments and design improvements within our built

FY19 saw 21 DMC-assisted projects completed,

environment. We provide financial incentives for development through Downtown

totaling an investment of $116M, adding 78,850

Property PILOTs (partial tax abatement) and Development Loans.

Our Design Review Board ensures the aesthetic appeal and continuity of the CBID

square feet of office space.

The largest development completed in FY19 was 266 Memphis Lofts, which added 145 apartments

by structuring and evaluating sign regulations and design guidelines. We also

and 8,000 square feet of restaurant space that is

increase the value and potential of projects through planning, consultation,

now home to BarWare and JuiceBrothers.

and anti-neglect and anti-blight initiatives.

Renderings of Union Row and the Bakery Project courtesy LRK

Largest Planned Project: Union Row

Largest Development Under Construction: Bakery Project

Parking and Mobility

FOR EVERY DIRECTION

Our affiliate board’s recent name change to the Downtown Mobility Authority represents a subtle yet significant shift in our thinking on mobility. We are actively recognizing and supporting multiple modes, including riding the bus and trolley, using Explore Bike Share, riding residents’ own bikes, renting scooters, and walking. The Downtown Mobility Authority will continue to value parking in our transportation toolkit, but we are changing the conversation, considering more variables, and being more strategic in our process. We aim to manage the demand for parking and better use the resources we have with considerations such as time of day, type of user, and purpose of that user’s time.

EXPLORE BIKE SHARE CHECK-OUTS WITH 45 STATIONS OF 300 BIKES

SCOOTERS IN THE CBID

AS MANY DOWNTOWNERS USE PUBLIC TRANSIT AS COMPARED TO THE CITY AS A WHOLE

FOR EVERY MOMENT

Safety Programs Our safety and hospitality programs work to create a welcoming Downtown for all. With 35+ members working throughout the area, the Blue Suede Brigade adds a helpful, hospitable face on every corner of the CBID, providing special event support by escorting and directing attendees to community and business functions.

Blue Suede Brigade patrols the entire CBID, including Beale Street, Riverfront, and the Medical District, providing expanded safety and hospitality coverage.

ANSWERED

DISTRIBUTED

TRACKED

SERVED

3,657

28,205

499,988

44,505

SERVICE CALLS

MAPS THROUGHOUT

VISITOR/NEIGHBOR

TOTAL HOURS

FROM BUSINESSES

DOWNTOWN

INTERACTIONS

IN FY19

FOR EVERYONE From the Mighty Lights to the Medical District, from South Main to Uptown, Downtown Memphis offers an ever-expanding range of opportunities, events, and attractions. But it is only with the creativity and participation of our entire community that these new elements take shape. We invite you to join us in continuing to create a Downtown for everyone.

Learn more via our digital dashboard at downtownmemphis.com.

FY19 Affiliate Boards Each of our affiliate boards works in the service of our shared goals and operates in efficient coordination by sharing one staff.

DMC Board

Center City Revenue Finance Corporation Board

DMC STAFF

Deni Reilly, Chairman

Christina Kurdilla, Chairman

Jennifer Oswalt, President

Terry Woodard, Vice Chairman

Eric Mathews, Vice Chairman

Penelope Springer, Chief Financial Officer & VP Administration

Benjamin Orgel, Secretary

Bobbi Gillis, Secretary & Treasurer

Penelope Huston, Vice President of Marketing and Communications

John Pontius, Treasurer

Jim Crone

Jaske (Jay) Goff, Vice President of Operations

Representative Raumesh Akbari

Glenn Floyd

Brett Roler, AICP; Vice President of Planning and Development

Williams Brack

Brandy Johnson-Ward

Christine Taylor, Office Manager

Mauricio Calvo

Sean Norris

Clint Burke, Manager of Clean & Green

Representative Barbara Cooper

Walter Person

Debra Streeter, Director of Security & Hospitality

Julie Ellis

Marija Sokolov Nelson

Alejandra Lopez, Accounting Intern

Councilwoman Cheyenne Johnson

Jonathan Mosley, Events & Programming Coordinator

Elizabeth Low

Design Review Board

Commissioner Mickell Lowery

Ray Brown, Chair

Theresa Taylor, Marketing Coordinator DMC/Beale Street

Cheryl Pesce

Rebecca Conrad, Vice Chair

Abram Lueders, Planning and Development Analyst

Joann Massey

Joyce Selina Love, Secretary

Ellery Ammons, Development Coordinator

Demar Roberts

Brian Bacchus

Erik Stevenson, Commercial Strategist

John Zeanah

Valentina Cochran

Elesie Walker, Captain, Blue Suede Brigade

Roderick DeBerry

Lisa Wheaton, Lead, Blue Suede Brigade

Suhair Lauck

Serron Williams, Lead, Blue Suede Brigade

Michael B. Chance, Chairman

Colin McDoniel

Dejon Leake, Clean & Green Assistant

Julie Lansky, Secretary

Deni Reilly

LaTonia Smith, Clean & Green Assistant

Ray Brown, Treasurer

Sheila Urevbu

Margaret Oliver, Receptionist

Center City Development Corporation Board

Sharon Leicham

Kaeyla Willis, Marketing Coordinator

Jon Shivers, Director of Beale Street

Anton Mack

Downtown Mobility Authority Board

Carl Person

Shanea McKinney, Chairman

Benjamin Orgel

John Golwen, Secretary

Deni Reilly

Brandon Bryant, Treasurer

Terry Woodard

Alvin Crook

those resources into incentives, programs, and activation for the continued

Shara Goldin

development of Downtown and the betterment of all of Memphis and Shelby

Travis Green

County. The DMC is the official partnership between local government and

Wayne West

the private business community in Downtown’s development.

The DMC drives Downtown’s role as the community’s economic, cultural, and governmental core. Solely funded by an assessment on commercial property in the Central Business Improvement District (CBID), we reinvest

114 North Main Street • Memphis, TN 38103 • 901.575.0540 • downtownmemphis.com