What We've Done Together

TABLE OF CONTENTS A LETTER FROM MRS. MELYNE STRICKLAND

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THE INAUGURATION 08 A GROWING ECONOMY: BUSINESS & TOURISM

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NEW BUSINESS 14 WE MEAN BUSINESS 26 TOURISM 28 EMPLOYMENT 34 LEADERS WHO LEAD 36 COMMUNICATIONS 38 HUMAN RESOURCES 40 DIVISION OF POLICE SERVICES 44 DIVISION OF FIRE SERVICES 52 MEMPHIS 311 58 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT 60 MEMPHIS 3.0 & ACCELERATE MEMPHIS

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HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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NEW HOUSING IN MEMPHIS 68 MEMPHIS PARKS 70 YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMMING

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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MEMPHIS

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CoM MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY BOARD

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MEMPHIS PUBLIC LIBRARIES 82 MEMPHIS ANIMAL SERVICES

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TRANSIT, TRANSPORTATION & PARKING 87 FINANCE

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 90 ENGINEERING

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PUBLIC WORKS 96 GENERAL SERVICES

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SOLID WASTE 99 2020 INAUGURATION 62 MLK 50

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ERRYBODY V. COVID-19 110 HOSPITALITY HUB 113 AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS 114

Prepared by the Mayor’s Office of Communications Editor in Chief — Allison Fouché | Creative Director — Mathis Ryan Research Coordinator — Christina McClain | Copywriter Jae Henderson | Photo Editor — Parker Hays

LETTER FROM MRS. MELYNE STRICKLAND

I knew if elected mayor, you would accomplish great things. I knew if elected mayor, you would always put others before yourself. I knew if elected mayor you would surround yourself with the best staff and work relentlessly. Never knowing where this journey would take us, my prayer was always: “Help us to help others.” Jim, you have done all these things. You have completed this very challenging job ethically, diligently and respectfully helping so many people along the way. So my new prayer begins: “May the people in our great city of Memphis look back one day and remember all you did and how you represented them.”

I hope you will reflect and be proud just as we are proud and so honored to have had you serve as the Mayor of the City of Memphis.

With love and admiration, Melyne

“Mayor Strickland’s tenure has been marked by a transformative and impactful series of achievements that have left an indelible mark on the city of Memphis. From the bold removal of Confederate statues to the strategic increase in minority spending, Mayor Strickland has consistently demonstrated a commitment to progress and inclusivity. The cityscape has been reshaped through redevelopment initiatives, including revitalizing key City assets such as Tom Lee Park, Liberty Park, Renasant Convention Center, Universal Life, and Leftwich Tennis Center.

Mayor Strickland’s vision extends beyond immediate needs, as seen in establishing the groundbreaking Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan, guiding the city’s development over the next two decades. The Accelerate Memphis Initiative, a historic $200 million investment, reflects his commitment to catalyzing community projects in historically disinvested neighborhoods.

Furthermore, Mayor Strickland addresses crucial infrastructure challenges, launching the Smart Memphis Fiber Initiative to bridge the digital divide and collaborating on the LED streetlight upgrade with MLGW and Ameresco.

In sum, Mayor Strickland’s administration represents a holistic and forward-thinking approach to city governance, reflecting a dedication to inclusivity, safety, education, and the overall well-being of Memphis and its residents.”

— Allison J. Fouché, Chief Communications Officer

“Over the next four years, I will do everything in my power to restore trust where it is broken and hope where it is lost. I will work every day to make our streets safer and our city stronger, to create jobs and increase wages, to provide better roads and transportation, and to improve the quality and service of city government to you, our customers.”

— Mayor Jim Strickland, January 2016

The Inauguration

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ayor Jim Strickland’s inauguration was held on January 1, 2016. Approximately 600 people gathered in the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts to witness him being sworn in as the 64th mayor of Memphis, TN. A native Memphian and an attorney by profession, Strickland, who served as city councilman for eight years representing District 5, believed he could answer the call “that had gone unheard”. He promised to put public safety at the forefront of rebuilding our city and fulfill his dream of a prosperous, strong, and socially just society. That day, he and 13 city council members were sworn in by his former law school ethics professor, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Bernice Donald. Then, our new mayor quickly got to work to fulfill his promises.

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Chiefs and Directors In 2016, Mayor Strickland changed the organizational structure of the city administration to a C- Suite. This produced more collaboration, communication and shared accountability.

Along with the C-Suite, there are also Division Directors that that serve multiple divisions.

We are thankful for the service of the many talented individuals that have served Mayor Strickland’s Administration from 2016-2023.

Antonio Adams General Services Deputy COO

Kim Bailey CIO

Manny Belen Engineering

María MuñozBlanco Parks

Augustine Boateng CIO

Ashley Cash HCD

Alan Crone Intergovernmental Affairs

Brian Collins CFO

Tiffany Collins Strategic Partnrships

Zanderia Davidson OBDC

Cerelyn J. Davis Police Chief

Philip Davis Solid Waste

Michael Fletcher Chief Legal

Shirley Ford CFO

Allison Fouché Communications

Fonda Fouché CHRO

Maria Fuhrmann Chief of Staff

Lisa Greater Chief of Staff

Ike Griffith Youth Services

Sarah Harris Performance Management

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Wendy Harris CIO

Craig Hodge Performance Managment

Jimmy Johnson GVIP

Melvin Jamerson General Services Deputy CoOO

Robert Knecht Public Works

Ursula Madden CCO

Joann Massey OBDC

Keenan McCloy Memphis Public Libraries

Doug McGowen COO

Bruce McMullen Chief Legal

Marvell Mitchell OBDC

Ken Moody Community Affairs

Alexis Pugh Animal Services

Michael Rallings Police Services

Michael Rodriguez Information Technology

Chandell Ryan COO

Jennifer Sink Chief Legal

Alex Smith CHRO

Dan Springer Deputy COO

Gina Sweat Fire Chief

Patrice Thomas Deputy COO

Kyle Veazey Deputy COO

Nick Walker Parks

Paul Young HCD

John Zeanah Planning & Development

A Growing Economy: Business & Tourism Memphis is seeing continued strong economic growth.

• • • • • • • • • •

Thousands more Memphians are employed Median Household income has increased 27% Poverty rate has decreased 18% to its lowest level in decades 37,000 fewer people people are living in poverty Capital investments have continued to grow, especially in the core, up 49% over 2020 The Memphis 3.0 strategy is working Major employers continue to invest and add jobs Local tourism has recovered post-COVID much faster than the national average and has increased by 27% Home sales remain solid, and average prices are up significantly all over the city with median increase of 76% The City is making significant investments to catalyze private investment and accelerate growth in tourism and population.

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Symbols of Oppression That Had to Be Moved

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ace relations, racism, and the ugly truth that often lies in history have been a hot topic in Memphis for decades.

As calls for racial sensitivity increased, City leaders voted in 2013 to change the name of three parks that honored Confederate figures in Memphis. In 2015, they also voted to remove Jefferson Davis and Nathan Bedford Forrest’s statues from public parks. Forrest and his wife, Mary Ann, were buried beneath Forrest’s statue in Health Sciences Park in Midtown. Heated debates, protests, and lawsuits ensued, but city government led the removal of the statues in 2017. Forrest and his wife’s remains were relocated to the National Confederate Museum in Columbia, TN, in December 2021.

“History is being made in Memphis tonight. Soon, statues of Nathan Bedford Forrest and Jefferson Davis will no longer stand in our city. The statues no longer represent who we are as a modern, diverse city with momentum. As I told the Tennessee Historical Commission in October, our community wants to reserve places of reverence for those we honor.”

— Mayor Jim Strickland December 2017

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New Businesses

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uring Mayor Strickland’s term, many new businesses came to Memphis or expanded their footprint. This speaks to the momentum of some $19 billion in recent, current, and future regional developments.

Service Master Peabody Place (2018) Peabody Place Mall was rennovated into the global headquarters for ServiceMaster. It is today the headquarters of two other nationally recognized and class leading brands – Terminix and American Frontdoor.

Prospero Health (2019) Founded in Boston in 2019, Prospero placed its operational headquarters in downtown Memphis, a move so successful that Prospero needed to double the size of its offices and move into the facility formerly known as Toyota Plaza adjacent to AutoZone Park.

AutoZone (2021) AutoZone completed a $140 million expansion of their Downtown Store Support Center (HQ), adding 150 full-time employees.

Amazon (2021) Amazon announced the opening of two new facilities in the MidSouth. One, located in the Raleigh area, is a delivery station that aids in “last mile” delivery efforts that get packages to the customer. This helped to create more jobs, paying a livable wage of at least $15 an hour for Memphians.

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Renasant Convention Center Renovation (2020) The Renasant Convention Center opened after $200 million in renovations. Formerly known as the Cook Convention Center, it contains a 118,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall, the largest in the region, with 46 flexible meeting spaces that contain natural light and picturesque river views, winning several awards and recognition for its beautiful design and accommodations.

International Paper (2021) International Paper spun off paper operations and created Sylvamo as a market-leading paper company.

This added 300 jobs to the Memphis market with an average salary of $170,000.

St. Jude Expansion (2022) St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s 2022–27 strategic plan includes a commitment of $12.9 billion of development to support 2,300 jobs, among other priorities. Part of those funds were designated to enhance construction projects, including the Domino’s Village, a 140-unit housing facility for patients and their families, and the Family Commons, a treatmentfree zone for patients and their families within the hospital. The expansion will also be used to construct two 15-story towers dedicated to patient care and clinical research—a project that will cost more than $1 billion.

FedEx Logistics Moves to Downtown (2022) FedEx Logistics opened its Global Headquarters in Downtown Memphis and invested over $50 million to renovate the building and help sustainably rejuvenate downtown. The facility houses air and ocean cargo, warehousing and distribution, customs brokerage, and trade solutions that attract additional customers and add incredible value to the FedEx portfolio.

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FedEx Memphis World Hub Expansion (2025) FedEx has made a $1.5 billion capital investment in its Memphis World Hub. The improvements will include a 1.3 million sq. ft. sorting facility, 77,000 sq. ft. of office space and maintenance, and a cafeteria. It is expected to open in 2025.

The Medical District The Medical District is home to many of Memphis’ premier medical facilities, such as the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC). UTHSC made a $13.3 million capital investment with the purchase of Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machines and the planned creation of 60 jobs. UTHSC also underwent a $45 million expansion to its school of Dentistry.

Methodist University Hospital (2022) Methodist University Hospital completed a $275 million expansion, and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital underwent a $94.5 million expansion to its building.

Complementing these investments are multi-family developments like the Rise Apartments and Orleans Station and the $73 million renovation of a former bread factory as the HQ for Orion Credit Union.

Blue Oval City - Ford Hub (2022) In February 2022, The Megasite Authority of West Tennessee Board of Directors approved a 30-year lease with the State of Tennessee and Ford Motor Co. for Blue Oval City. Ford and South Korean firm SK Innovation announced in September 2021 plans to invest $5.6 billion in the state-owned, 4,100-acre Megasite. The 3,600-acre campus in Stanton, TN, located northeast of Memphis, will hold a battery manufacturing plant, supplier park, and Ford assembly plant to produce the company’s F-series all-electric trucks. Ford and SK Innovation are committed to creating 3,260 and 3,500 jobs, respectively. We expect many Memphians to take advantage of this opportunity. Blue Oval City is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

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Topgolf Memphis (2023) The newest location of the Topgolf franchise recently opened in Memphis and Topgolf caters to golfers of all skill levels. The Southeast Memphis location features 72 climatecontrolled outdoor hitting bays, a full-service restaurant, an event space, and other amenities.

Topgolf is expected to bring 300 jobs and $1 million in annual tax revenue.

Crosstown Concourse Development (2017) Internationally recognized for transforming an old space, the 1.2 million sq. ft. dilapidated Sears, Roebuck & Co. retail distribution center, which opened in 1927 and closed in 1993, into a unique and impressive mixeduse vertical urban village. Since opening in 2017, Crosstown Concourse has become a beloved hub of daily activity with several areas for community public use; including the Crosstown Arts Theatre, an art gallery, a radio station, a Music Listening Lab, restaurants, retail spaces, and 265 apartment units.

Memphis Riverfront Concept (2017) The Memphis Riverfront Concept was completed in 2017 and shows how five zones—the Fourth Bluff, Mud Island, Tom Lee Park, MLK Park, and Greenbelt Park—can leverage their strengths to become distinctive places offering activities and experiences that appeal to people of all generations, incomes, races, and backgrounds.

The Memphis Riverfront Concept was commissioned by the Mayor’s Riverfront Task Force in partnership with Memphis River Parks Partnership, with generous support from the Hyde Family Foundations and the Kresge Foundation.

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Crosstown Concourse

Sterick Building Renovation The Sterick Building, known as the “Queen of the South,” was the tallest structure in Memphis until 1957. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The 29-story, 340,000-square-foot Gothic Revival building, opened in 1929, has stood vacant since 1986.

There have been no tenants in this once-bustling office building at Madison Avenue and Third Street, and the first step to revitalizing the Sterick is now underway. This type of investment signals a brighter future for Downtown Memphis.

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100 North Main Renovation 100 N. Main aims to create a high-quality development that appropriately fits the downtown context and exemplifies design excellence creating a mixed-use project that adds around-the-clock vibrancy to the neighborhood. This development builds compact critical mass, increases density, and will significantly grows our tax base.

Development Concept • • • • • • • • •

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Estimated development budget of $267 million Existing tower will be renovated to include 180-210 apartments Full-service hotel with 154-200 keys Renovation of the existing parking garage 60,000 sf office space for the City of Memphis, 38,000 sf retail, restaurant, and rooftop amenities.

140 apartments 3,000 sf ground-floor retail New 352-space parking structure

Liberty Park Liberty Park is a hub of activity featuring Tiger Lane, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, and the new Memphis Sports and Events Center. The $69 million 227,000 sq. ft. facility for youth sports and events includes indoor basketball and volleyball and is adaptable for other sports such as wrestling, gymnastics, and cheerleading, as well as convocation and commencement events. Liberty Park is home to several festivals, the University of Memphis Tigers Football Team, the Southern Heritage Classic, and other sporting events and celebrations.

These new additions make it an optimal location for many more.

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Tom Lee Park Unlike anything in the world, Tom Lee Park made its grand reopening on Labor Day Weekend 2023. The $61 million new and improved park located along the Mississippi River Bluff creates a welcoming riverfront and features: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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Big grassy lawns Playground with giant animals 1,000 new trees Gardens, groves, pathways, pavilions Shoreline pollinator plantings and endangered butterfly habitat Misting plaza Covered area for events ADA-accessible switch back entrance down the Bluff Fitness stations and sitting stations River overlook Outdoor classroom for youth and visitors Pollinator labs and sound garden Log scramble walkway

Tom Lee Park

We Mean Business

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he Office of Diversity & Compliance, launched the We Mean Business program to increase City government contracts with women-and minorityowned businesses. Memphis has approximately 40,000 small businesses, and this office ensures we strengthen not only these businesses but the economy and our workforce. OBDC ensures that local government is a vital part of these efforts. Thanks to concentrated efforts to attract qualified applicants, the City of Memphis’s spending with minority and women-owned businesses has more than doubled from 12% to over 27% (and 30% counting noncertified MWBEs), since 2016.

The Office of Diversity & Compliance also holds several programs and workshops to educate business owners on opportunities to do business with the City of Memphis, the RFP submission process, professional development, scaling and growing their business, entrepreneurship best practices, and much more.

“I received more City business under Mayor Strickland’s administration than previous ones.

Those contracts helped me to scale my company before the pandemic and the business received postpandemic helped my company to recover in a very uncertain and turbulent economy.”

— Brenda Bryant, President/CEO The Bryant Company

WE MEAN BUSINESS

“Allworld has experienced improvement over the years in the procurement process. Specifically, as it relates to access to information that prepares businesses to be successful. We also learned how important it was to be both the mentor and the mentee. We are never too large to learn from others and never too small to lift others up as we climb. The strength of the program is in the diversity of the participants.”

SYMPOSIUM

— Michael Hooks, Jr., CEO Allworld Project Management

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The Universal Life Building City of Memphis Business Development Center After an extensive restoration and redevelopment, the historic Universal Life building is open as the City of Memphis Business Development Center. It was once owned by Universal Life Founder Dr. Joseph Edison Walker and his son A. Maceo Walker. Built in 1949, the Universal Life Building was a beacon of black business from segregation through the civil rights era. It is now a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Located inside the Universal Life Building, the Fred L. Davis Innovation Center (named in honor of the legendary businessman, civic leader, and community activist) houses economic development resources that provide specialized training and loan programs to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Its mission to support and invest in black businesses goes hand-in-hand with the legacy of Dr. Walker, his company, and the City’s role in business development as a model of a true public/private partnership in a mixed financing development.

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The Return of COGIC (2023) With 12,000 churches in 120 countries and six million members worldwide, COGIC is one the largest Pentecostal church organizations in the world. Their annual convention, known as The Holy Convocation, began in 1908 and was held in Memphis until 2010. The Holy Convocation brings an average of 40,000 attendees with an economic impact of $30 - $40 million.

The lack of large-scale hotels, high hotel rates, and lack of meeting space that could hold all the attendees were cited as the main reasons for the exit.

The annual convention relocated to St. Louis. Presiding Bishop Sheard said ”Jim Strickland was a champion. He worked with us to bring the Convocation back to Memphis. He and Ken Moody worked with us and I appreciate their partnership.”

Graceland (2019) Mayor Strickland and Memphis City Council approved a $75 million dollar expansion for Graceland, Memphis’s most popular tourist destination. Elvis Presley Enterprises completed 80,000 sq. ft. of soundstages, more retail and exhibit space, 30 guest cabins, a relocated RV park, plane hangars, updates to existing rooms at the Guesthouse at Graceland, and an additional 150 rooms.

The New Brooks Museum of Art The $150 million, 112,000 sq. ft. new Brooks Museum of Art will be a world-class museum and a great addition to the Downtown Memphis skyline. The $20M investment by the City of Memphis is matched by $120 million of philanthropic giving and grants to fund the publicly owned art museum. It is expected to be completed in 2026.

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More Hotels Means More Tourism Based on market reports by local hospitality consulting firm Pinkowski & Co., Memphis is ahead of national performance in terms of recovery due to hotel size.

Big Cypress Lodge

It is projected that between 2022-2026, 49 hotel projects will be developed in the Bluff City and adjacent areas, allowing Memphis to host more largescale conventions like The Holy Convocation.

Here’s a list of some of the hotels that have opened in the past few years.

Big Cypress Lodge (2018) 103 Rooms

Located inside the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid included with your stay is access to the 24-hour fitness center, complimentary Sky-High Ride tickets, complimentary shuttle service, complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour access to the business center, and valet parking.

Central Station Hotel

Arrive Hotel Memphis (2019) 62 Rooms

Central Station Hotel

Whether you are grabbing a drink at the bar or coffee shop, enjoy freshly baked goods, craft cocktails and house made bar bites. Other amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, Apple TV, Direct TV, a Marshall Bluetooth speaker, and a curated local field guide. The fitness center is open daily from 7am-9pm and features a Peloton bike, treadmills, free weights and more so you can stay active while you travel.

Central Station Hotel (2019) 123 Rooms

With complimentary modern amenities, you can easily relax and stay connected while listening to The Central Station’s daily curated playlist. Central Station offers dinning at Bishop, The Grand Hall & Event Space and a bar and lounge.

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Canopy by Hilton (2020)

Memphis Downtown Beale Street 174 Rooms Canopy by Hilton offers an onsite restaurant, fitness center, meeting rooms and all modern conveniences during your stay.

Hyatt Centric (2021) 227 Rooms

In the heart of downtown Memphis, this boutique hotel offers modern amenities, fitness center, outdoor pool, and a unique indoor event space. Enjoy CIMAS Lobby Lounge’s contemporary bar or views of the Memphis skyline and the Mississippi River from Beck & Call Rooftop Lounge while listening to live music, enjoying a drink, or relaxing near a fire pit.

The Memphian (2021) 106 Rooms

Located in the revitalized Overton Square, make yourself at home in this eclectic yet chic hotel.

Beautifully curated guest rooms and suites, first-class amenities, two exceptional full-service restaurants, buzzing gathering spaces, and unmatched hospitality are sure to make an impression that leaves you feeling like a local.

Aloft by Marriot (2022) 155 Rooms

Aloft Hotels is open in space and spirit that features first-class amenities, restaurant, meeting space that uses technology and design to enhance your experience.

Caption by Hyatt (2022) 136 Rooms

A vibrant hotel near Beale Street offers first-class amenities in one of the 136 rooms, grab a drink, meet with friends in the all-day hangout at the Talk Shop or kick back and sip a local craft brew in the Beer Garden.

Dream Hotel (UPCOMING)

181 Rooms + 10 Apartment Units The mixed-use building will have 19 floors and will have 181 hotel rooms and 10 apartment units. The hotel will also feature a three-meal restaurant and coffee shop, a signature restaurant and a lobby and rooftop bar.

Hyatt Caption

Major Film Projects in Memphis: This is Us (2017 TV Series)In the episode Memphis (S1.E16) Randall and William take a road trip to Memphis, where Randall learns about William’s past.

Young Rock (2021 TV Series) A look at the formative years of superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Christmas at Graceland (2018 TV Movie) A Chicago-based business executive travels to Memphis to secure one of the city’s oldest family-owned banks. While in Memphis, Laurel reunites with an old flame Clay, a local music promoter with loftier aspirations.

Wedding at Graceland (2019 TV Movie) After a romantic Christmas at Graceland, Clay (Wes Brown) and Laurel (Kellie Pickler) plan their wedding while simultaneously juggling their very different parents.

Bluff City Law (2019 TV Series) Lawyers at an elite Memphis law firm specialize in controversial landmark civil rights cases.

Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays (2019 TV Movie) Harper is in Memphis before Christmas, visiting her sister and family after 3 years working at museums in Europe. Visiting Graceland with her 2 nieces, Harper meets a single dad of 3 kids and is offered a job as nanny temp.

Uncorked (2020) Elijah must balance his dream of becoming a master sommelier with his father’s expectations that he carry on the family’s Memphis BBQ joint.

Genius: Aretha (2021) The life stories of history’s greatest minds, from their days as young adults to their final years: their discoveries, loves, relationships, causes, flaws, and genius.

Women of the Movement (2022) An anthology series that chronicles the civil rights movement as told by the women behind it.

Leftwich Tennis Facility The new Leftwich Tennis Center is the largest tennis facility within hundreds of miles, with 24 outdoor and 12 indoor courts. It replaced the previous smaller facility and is well-positioned to host United States Tennis Association regional and national tournaments, bringing visitors to Memphis year-round.

It will also be a competitive host site for national, regional, and conference-level collegiate tournaments hosted by the University of Memphis.

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The “Big Ask” After an intensive effort in 2022, the State Legislature approved Governor Lee’s budget which included the Memphis “Big Ask”. The “Big Ask” was 350 million plus the authority to implement other funding streams to renovate the Fed Ex Forum and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The Showboats are Back!

Showboats are back and played its USFL inaugural season at historic Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of the 1980s team that featured Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White.

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Employment

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ata shows that prepandemic, 20,000 more Memphians were working at the beginning of 2020 than when Mayor Strickland took office in 2016. During his second term, Mayor Strickland implemented programs to recapture that momentum. He certainly can’t claim all the credit for the rebound of jobs following the pandemic, but he can express pride in being a part of it. After temporarily losing roughly 46,000 jobs during the pandemic, Memphis has almost fully recovered in the number of working Memphians.

Memphis jobs grew faster than any other large city in the United States. Over the past decade, the city has seen nearly a 1.4 percent increase in the number of jobs available within the metro area.

During this same time period, New Orleans saw a job growth rate of just over 0.8 percent, while St. Louis saw a growth of around 0.79 percent. Raleigh, North Carolina, saw a decrease in jobs by nearly 0.7 percent, and Minneapolis-St. Paul saw just about 1.20 percent fewer jobs over the decade.

According to the 2022 U.S. Census, the population of Memphis is 621,056. The largest industries in Memphis are health care & social assistance at 40,973 people, Transportation & Warehousing at 39,997 people, Retail Trade at 30,487 people.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2022, workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $25.32.

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My Brother’s Keeper In 2020, Memphis accepted the Community Challenge from the Obama Foundation’s MBK Alliance, to improve the lives of boys and young men of color in the Greater Memphis area. As a result, MBKMemphis was committed to creating community partnerships across government, academia, the private and public sectors, clergy, families, and communities. The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance created job opportunities, with 500 people finding employment. Jobs in July was also held where over 3,000 residents were in attendance at this job fair.

Public Service Corps Public Service Corps provides ex-offenders opportunities with entry-level, part-time employment to pick up litter and mitigate blight leading to 40 with permanent employment with the City or partner organizations.

Expungements The City of Memphis raised private dollars to have more than 2,889 records expunged (2016-present) and reinstated 179 driver’s licenses.

This aided individuals in being able to drive legally to and from work and gain employment for positions that require a valid driver’s license.

“Under Mayor Strickland’s leadership, we were empowered to create programs that directly address the needs of our community. It’s a testament to a city dedicated to inclusivity, compassion, and making a meaningful impact where it matters most.”

—Ken Moody, Special Assistant for Community Affairs.

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LEADERS WHO

Lead

WOMEN LEADERS IN THE MAYOR’S OFFICE In 2023, during Women’s History Month, the Memphis City Government received recognition for Mayor Strickland’s all-female Senior Leadership Team. This had never been done in the history of the City of Memphis. The all-star team, patterned after a corporate “C-suite,” meets weekly to advise the mayor and tackle significant issues.

Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis

Chief Finnancial Officer Shirley Ford

Chief Communications Officer Allison Fouché

Chief Operating Officer Chandell Ryan

Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Sink

Chief Human Resources Officer Alex Smith

Fire Chief Gina Sweat

Chief of Staff Maria Fuhrmann

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What Works Cities Certification & Awards In 2019, the City of Memphis received recognition for its hard work in building a data-driven government as a recipient of the Silver designation from What Works Cities. The What Works Cities Certification rates how well cities are managed by measuring the extent to which city leaders incorporate data and evidence in their decision-making. Memphis was certified in 2019 with six other cities across the nation that are leading the way in using data to improve citizens’ lives. Memphis continues to show its dedication by winning the award again with a Gold designation in 2021 and 2023.

Memphis is recognized as a leader in data-driven, well-managed local government

Memphis Data Hub In October 2019, the City of Memphis launched a new state-ofthe-art data hub that the public can access 24/7 at data.memphistn. gov. It was funded by a partnership with What Works Cities and the Sunlight Foundation. The site contains nearly 30 metrics that residents can access to review the City’s performance and learn what the City is doing to deliver better results. The new data website includes six main features: •

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Performance Dashboard – Reviews city government metrics in the following categories: Neighborhoods, Good Government, Public Safety, Youth, and Jobs.

Data Stories – Read about the different ways in which City divisions are using data to improve service delivery.

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•

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Public Safety – Explores the mapping tool that shows the types and frequency of reported crime incidents in different neighborhoods.

Open 311 – Examines open and closed service requests across the city.

Civic Assets – Discovers community resources in specific areas, such as police stations, libraries, and parks.

Capital Projects – see what City projects are underway.

Residents can also submit suggestions for future dataset releases. The site is intended to increase usability and resident engagement, and it is built on Mayor Strickland’s commitment to hold city government accountable for its performance.

To assist with transparency, a weekly email was also created to give citizen’s Mayor Strickland’s perspective on important issues and services.

Studio and Control Room Designed and built in the fall of 2021, the Communications Department’s Digital Studio offers full service digital content capabilities for all City of Memphis divisions.

Communications Mayor’s Office of Communications: Pioneering Transparency and Connectivity in Memphis

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n alignment with Mayor Jim Strickland’s unwavering commitment to establishing the most transparent and communicative administration in Memphis history, the Mayor’s Office of Communications was established in January 2016. This dedicated office operates as a centralized hub, providing comprehensive

communication support for all City of Memphis divisions.

Focused on media relations, digital communications, and community engagement, the Office of Communications plays a pivotal role in fostering an open and continuous dialogue between the City and its residents.

The primary mission of the Office of Communications is to offer strategic counsel, public relations expertise, and creative solutions to enhance communication efforts

across all City of Memphis divisions.

Acting as a central communications conduit, the office ensures that the City’s messaging is consistent, clear, and effectively reaches its diverse community. The Mayor’s Office of Communications actively fosters community engagement, promotes civic participation, and successfully conveys the City’s initiatives to its diverse and dynamic population.

Through strategic communication, the office significantly contributes to Mayor Strickland’s vision of forging an open and connected Memphis.

TOGETHER WE CAN SHAPE OUR FUTURE Help bring funding to our community for new school programs to help our children thrive. You can

now respond to the Census online, by phone or by mail.

Visit 901counts.com for details of 2020Census.gov

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HUMAN

Resources T

he Human Resource Division’s mission is to establish a value-driven culture and build a brilliant workforce, spearheading strategic human capital initiatives for the City, focusing on attracting, developing, equipping, and retaining an engaged workforce.

In an effort to help the division run more efficiently, HR closely reviewed all City of Memphis Employee Policies and Procedures to eliminate outdated policies, implement new procedures, or change the wording of existing documents to reflect the goals and culture of the current administration. This assisted with better management of the department and increased recruitment to align with Mayor Strickland’s mission of being “Brilliant at the Basics”. The City’s Glassdoor rating by employees increased from 2.5 to 3.3 and “reccommended to a friend” increased from 40% to 61%

HR Programs and Initiatives

ERG Groups

Several new programs and amenities were implemented to help the HR Division better address the needs of City employees.

The City of Memphis also has several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) to help employees find individuals they can relate to and share commonalities with to help them grow and thrive in the workplace.

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The 50-Day Time to Fill policy reduced the time allotted to filling open positions to 50 days or less.

The Spot Bonus Program allows bonuses of $50 - $250 to be given by management when they believe an employee deserves recognition for a job well done and/or going above and beyond their required job duties.

UKG Dimensions™ Timekeeping was implemented to provide automated time and attendance tracking that helps reduce payroll errors, minimize overtime, and improve workforce productivity. The web-based attendance system goes beyond just clocking in and out to improve the timekeeping experience.

Onsite Employee Health Clinics were placed in two locations for full-time, part-time, and retired employees. The clinics provide free medications, flu shots, and other minor medical attention.

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They include: • • • • • • • • •

Black Professionals Network HOLA (Latino Heritage) S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M. (LGBTQ community) Military Disability Awareness Working Parents Network Young Professionals Network Asian Pacific Women’s Circle

“I am grateful for Mayor Strickland for giving HR the space to be innovative, especially in the area of talent management where we were able to do some amazing things with recruitment.”

Fonda Fouché Chief HR Officer

Student Loan Forgiveness The City of Memphis offers student loan contributions to eligible City employees. The pilot program began in June 2017 for the HR Division and went live for all City employees in July 2017. Employees with full-time employment status of at least twelve consecutive months are eligible for the program. Fifty dollars may not seem like a lot, but it adds up over time just like interest on those student loans.

Human Resource Business Partner - HRBP The HR Department also implemented the Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP) Model. An HR Business Partner is a strategic liaison between HR and the business. They provide strategic HR support to the division by identifying and developing tactics for continuity and advancement and adding value to the division by establishing themselves as a trusted resource and advisor to leadership. HRBP also incorporates knowledge of HR and the operation to leverage meaningful relationships across the division for collaboration, information sharing, and planning.

Research shows that organizations that build high-performing HRBPs improve employee performance, and employee retention and increase revenue and profit where applicable.

KUDOS! The City of Memphis Division of Human Resources has received national recognition for its use of cloud-based technology and economic empowerment through workforce sustainability. This team also received the Chief Learning Officer Magazine Bronze Learning in Practice Award, the Tennessee Municipal League Excellence in Human Resources Award, and the 2021 HRO Today Association Award for Engagement Strategy Excellence in the North America region.

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New Entry to Beale Street at Fourth Street

DIVISION OF

Police Services T

he fight against crime in Memphis hasn’t been easy.

Mayor Strickland came into office during a time when crime in Memphis had increased, and the Memphis Police Department was grossly understaffed. Several officers left for cities and professions offering better benefits and pay. He challenged his administration to find ways to recruit more officers. That’s precisely what they did, and the Join MPD campaign was launched. It contained messaging for the public that outlined the benefits of a career in law enforcement and generous $15,000 signing bonus MPD was offering recruits. Thousands of applications were submitted, helping MPD secure a pool of qualified candidates to select from to fill the void.

Since 2018, 869 officers have graduated from the Memphis Police Training Academy, and 18 police recruit classes have graduated from the Memphis Police Department Training Academy. This includes one of the largest classes in decades, with 84 police recruit graduates.

The popularity of law enforcement as a profession in Memphis has grown substantially over the years, and as of August of 2023, there were thousands of applicants since January.

Human Resources and Communications helped lead the efforts to recruit more law enforcement officers and fire personnel as well as promote those who did their job well.

Hiring Numbers for Police and Fire by Year:

Promotion Numbers for Police and Fire By Year:

Year

Police

Fire

Year

Police

Fire

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

68 181 184 127 82 96 221 177*

111 94 155 110 133 113 265 224

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

201 215 151 118 92 311 112 101

34 42 66 70 202 70 68 90

Total

1,136

1,205

Total

1,301

642

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*70 more recruits will be added in December 2023

Changes in Residency Requirements In March of 2022, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill allowing first responders across the state to live anywhere they choose. Laws were changed locally as well, and under a new City of Memphis policy, public safety employees can live two hours from Memphis city limits. This is a win for Memphis because it gives MPD a wider recruitment area and a greater pool of qualified candidates to choose from.

Better Pay In his final proposed budget (2023), Mayor Strickland asked the Memphis City Council to approve a 14% salary increase for police (Memphis Police Association) and fire (International Association of Fire Fighters) employees and a 13% increase for communication dispatchers. This brought raises to every police officer to over 30% in eight years. It was approved, making Memphis’s public safety employees the highest-paid in the region. This showed the people who protect us that they are valued and helped to increase the number of individuals interested in joining public safety in Memphis.

issues. Also, full-time employees of the program can attend a regionally accredited college courtesy of the City of Memphis. Since 2018, the Memphis Police Department has graduated 17 PST recruit classes, for a total of 179 PSTs.

Blue Path The Blue Path Program was also created in 2016 to allow high school seniors interested in law enforcement to transition easily upon graduation. After completing six weeks of training at the Memphis Police Training Academy, those graduates can receive an all-expense paid education at Southwest Tennessee Community College and a position as a PST.

From Retired to Rehired In June 2022, the Memphis Police Department created 50 parttime positions staffed by retired officers to enhance community engagement and crime prevention efforts. This is part of the MPD’s strategic plan to increase staff and visibility throughout the city to help reduce crime, build relationships, and foster community trust.

Police Service Technicians

Better Policing

In addition to increasing officer recruitment efforts, the Police Service Technicians (PST) Program was reinstated in 2016 after being suspended in 2009. PSTs handle traffic-related incidents, allowing patrol officers to focus on other crime-related

Mayor Strickland also had a desire to equip MPD with 21st-century equipment and technology.

This included improving the department’s capacity to detect problems and develop efficient and effective solutions by implementing

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more data-driven policing to improve strategic and tactical decision-making.

These efforts began with 250 front and rear-facing cameras being installed in police cars. That has now grown to 514 vehicles, and bodycams are used on 1,844 officers. This added a layer of transparency and accountability as the police force works to uphold the law and protect citizens while respecting the rights of citizens.

This has been one of the most extensive implementations in the nation. Millions of videos have been recorded, and these recordings have been an essential component in high-profile cases involving officer misconduct.

National Integrated Ballistic Information Network The Memphis Police Department also expanded its National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Program. NIBIN functions like DNA or fingerprints to connect crimes or suspects once a gun is recovered. It allows for the forensic examination of fired shell casings found at a crime scene to be compared to other crime scene shell casings or shell casings fired from firearms recovered by the Memphis Police Department.

As part of the NIBIN Project, MPD created a NIBIN Investigation Team within the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU) to ensure information sharing and lead development.

Since 2020, over 300 violent crimes have been solved using this technology. The success of this program led to the MPD being awarded a $714,000 U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to create a Regional Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) that connects regional law enforcement agencies to NIBIN, further connecting gun crime evidence.

Reimagining Policing In Memphis In 2020, the Reimagine Policing In Memphis website was launched as a tool to increase transparency between the department and citizens. On the site, citizens can file a complaint and view policies and procedures and the demographics of the Memphis Police Department. With this site, several steps were taken to improve the operation of MPD, including adopting the “8 Can’t Wait” principles, the Use of Force Dashboard, the 21st Century Policing Pillars, improving the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB), prohibiting noknock warrants, implementing additional cultural sensitivity training, and improving community relations and accountability.

Mayor Strickland’s Advisory Council

REPORT OF FINDINGS

There’s A New Police Chief In Town Friday, June 18, 2021, Police Chief, Cerelyn “CJ” Davis made history when she was sworn in as the first woman to lead the Memphis Police Department in its 194-year history. Chief Davis began her career with the City of Atlanta Police Department where she worked hard to move up the ranks.

She also served as Chief of Police for the City of Durham, NC before coming the Memphis. Her training, accomplishments, and accolades received during her more than 35 years in law enforcement are many, which led to her selection and the belief that Chief Davis is the right person to help Memphis improve policing and reduce crime.

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Neighborhood Watch The Memphis Police Department has 554 Neighborhood Watch groups throughout the city.

Participants keep an eye out for their neighbors and their homes by taking note of unusual activity and reporting to the authorities in the event of a crime. Also, MPD teaches steps they can take to make their neighborhood and homes less desirable to criminals.

By working together and keeping a watchful eye, citizens can help MPD decrease crime.

CONNECT 2 MEMPHIS In 2022, CONNECT 2 MEMPHIS was introduced as a new public safety program enabling Memphians to take a more active role in keeping their community safe. The first level of the program allows citizens to register their security cameras with CONNECT 2 MEMPHIS to work with MPD to fight crime. The second level enables businesses and residents

to take community security a step further and give MPD direct access to their camera feed in case of a nearby emergency.

911 - Emergency Communications Bureau The Memphis Police Department’s Emergency Communications Bureau is the region’s most significant Public Safety Answering Point. It’s staffed 24 hours a day with over 140 dispatchers, supervisors, and managers.

Highly trained dispatchers answer approximately 3,000 to 5,000 calls daily, processing over 1 million calls and dispatching over 760,000 events yearly. Although the call load is heavy, a recent review revealed that the Emergency Communications Bureau answers 9-1-1 calls in less than 20 seconds over 93% of the time.

In 2017, the MPD’s Communications Bureau was the first agency in the country to deploy a new computeraided dispatch (CAD) system

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and RapidSOS. The upgraded CAD system allows dispatchers to share information with officers through their in-car computers.

Officers can direct message the Communications Bureau for a more rapid response. The RapidSOS even allows dispatchers to pinpoint the exact location of 911 callers using cellular phones.

MPD Leadership Academy The Memphis Police Department is committed to training and producing the best supervisors and leaders. In June 2023, the MPD graduated 24 majors and lieutenants from its new Leadership Academy. The program, developed in partnership with the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center Leadership Academy, assists middle-level supervisors in developing successful leadership styles to create more effective and progressive leaders.

Bridge Over Troubled Water: The I-40 Bridge Protest July 10, 2016, protesters did what one journalist called “the most significant act of spontaneous civil disobedience in recent memory” when they stopped traffic on one of the busiest bridges in Memphis.

The I-40 bridge links Memphis to Arkansas and is traveled daily by thousands of cars and trucks.

The protest, led by members of Black Lives Matter and other community organizations, was in response to white police officers who gunned down two unarmed black men, Alton Sterling of Baton Rouge, LA, and Philando Castile of St. Paul, Minnesota.

The protesters started in downtown Memphis and traveled to the I-55 bridge. The act drew nationwide coverage and law enforcement in riot gear. The protest peacefully ended hours later, with City leaders promising a community meeting with elected officials the next day.

It also yielded one highly discussed act of understanding by law enforcement when then Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings, sympathizing with the anger and plight of the protestors, locked arm and arm with them and continued to briefly march down the bridge in exchange for a pledge to disband peacefully and a promise from each side to work together to find solutions to the problem.

At a meeting, the community members asked for cultural sensitivity training for police, more contracts issued to minority businesses, criminal justice reform, and more police accountability.

The City did listen and employed a company to conduct cultural sensitivity training, the number of minority contracts issued increased, as did crime prevention, community programming, and police training efforts.

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Tyre Nichols In 2023, the City of Memphis and The Memphis Police Department experienced national scrutiny after a traffic stop involving 29-year-old Tyre Nichols. Nichols was seriously injured by police officers and died three days later. The accused officers were members of the MPD’s SCORPION (Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace In Our Neighborhoods) unit.

This was not a proud moment for the City of Memphis, but Mayor Strickland and Police Chief Davis swiftly launched an investigation and provided as much transparency after the process was completed. Hours of body camera video were reviewed, and extensive interviews were conducted. The City of Memphis and MPD handled Nichols’s death with sensitivity, fairness, and a dedication

by exposing the truth. As a result of the investigation, the five officers involved were discharged from the Memphis Police Department and charged with Nichols’s death.

Ultimately, MPD disciplined, relieved of duty, dismissed, or arrested 13 officers regarding their conduct. Our city has also been coined nationally “The Blueprint”, by prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, on how to handle these types of incidents.

After several clips of bodycam footage related to Nichols’s death were released, protests erupted, and calls for justice could be heard nationwide. However, many applauded Memphis’s swift investigation and discipline of those involved.

As a result of the investigations, it was determined that the SCORPION unit should be permanently disbanded.

Mayor Strickland and Chief Davis also requested a U.S. Department of Justice review to cover policies, practices, training, data, and processes related to MPD’s use of force, de-escalation, and specialized units. These former officers later received several federal charges also, and Memphis Fire Services terminated three employees for their failure to evaluate or assist Nichols.

MPD also made some changes of its own with new police reform measures regarding independent reviews of officer training, traffic stops, police complaints, MPD incident reviews, and improved transparency being passed by the Memphis City Council.

The Group Violence Intervention Plan In 2021, Mayor Strickland and his administration unveiled the Group Violence Intervention Program (GVIP) to bring together all the necessary groups to fight crime using the evidence-based practices of intervention and focused deterrence work.

The GVIP recognizes that there are victims on both sides of the gun and engages individuals most at risk for being involved in gun violence or retaliatory violence in the areas of Intervention, Focused Deterrence, and Outreach & Support. GVIP started its intervention and focused deterrence programs in the fall of 2022, working with individuals who have previously had run-ins

with the law. Since the program’s inception, 91% of those participants have not reoffended.

Crime Prevention isn’t easy. There isn’t a plan that fits all cities that can be implemented, but City government and the Memphis Police Department are dedicated to finding a solution to Memphis’s issues to create a safer city for everyone.

“In my five and half years as Mayor, working to solve the problem of violent crime has been the hardest and most challenging obstacle I’ve faced. Each time I hear of another person shot and killed, it makes me angry at the shooter and breaks my heart for the friends and families of the victim. I have spoken with many of those family members, and I want you to know that I feel a personal responsibility to help stop this violence.”

— Mayor Jim Strickland, July 2021

DIVISION OF

Fire Services “Mayor Strickland trusts and gives me the freedom to run the Fire Division without being micromanaged. He embraces new ideas and innovation and allows us to find new ways to tackle old problems.”

— Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat

The Memphis Fire Department

T

he Memphis Fire Department (MFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical services with the help of over 1,700 commissioned firefighters and 57 fire stations. One of Mayor Strickland’s first priorities was to improve Fire’s capabilities, offices, and recruitment for this critical operation. He left this task in the capable hands of Fire Chief Gina Sweat, who has served in this capacity since 2016. The Memphis Fire Department has become a 21st-century organization with state-of-the-art facilities and communications while being kinder to the environment.

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Dispatch Communication Center In August 2019, the Memphis Fire Department proudly unveiled its state-of-the-art Fire Dispatch Communication Center. A marvel of modern technology and collaboration, this multimilliondollar project was co-funded by the City of Memphis and the 911 Board. The high-security building is designed to withstand various natural and man-made disasters, ensuring its ability to function under the most extreme conditions.

The Fire Dispatch Communication Center also has enhanced training capacities to better prepare more dispatchers and advanced technology to help reduce dispatch times and get first responders into action quicker.

Better Firefighters Need Better Equipment In October 2019, the Memphis Fire Department invested almost $8.5 million in Stryker Equipment to receive top-of-the-line equipment and comprehensive support. This purchase included cardiac monitors, chest compression systems, and ambulance stretchers.

The City of Memphis Emergency Operations Center underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2020 to create a state-of-the-art facility with advanced connectivity and multimedia technology. This is an integral component of an extensive system designed to enhance the City of Memphis’s ability to respond to complex emergencies and disasters and a central hub for interagency coordination and executive decisionmaking supporting incident response and recovery operations.

Going Green The Memphis Fire Department cares about the environment and is establishing a Green Fleet thanks to $1.3 million in grants to purchase 15 new eco-friendly ambulances. This saves thousands in fuel costs and thousands of gallons of diesel fuel.

By implementing idle reduction technologies within its ambulance fleet, MFD has also minimized fuel waste, engine wear from excessive idling, and pollutant emissions from emergency vehicles.

#Find Your Fire Excellent and consistent recruitment is a critical component of the Memphis Fire Department. Several initiatives were created and improved to increase recruitment and ensure that the City of Memphis maintains skilled and dedicated firefighters and EMTs to help keep everyone safe. The highly successful #FindYourFire marketing campaign was launched to inform the community about various MFD career opportunities and benefits because MFD does much more than fight fires.

Mentors & High School Cadets Another recruitment initiative is the firefighter mentor and support program to assist recruits with obtaining their certifications. Also, high school seniors interested in a career with MFD can become fire cadets and learn what it takes to serve Memphis in this capacity.

Trezevant Career Training Center introduced a high school firefighter training program to support these efforts.

Where the Fire Ignites In May 2023, a new Fire Recruitment Building opened at 2670 Avery Ave. It contains impressive facilities and innovative recruitment tools that allow fire candidates to immerse themselves in a virtual firefighting environment, providing a realistic glimpse of this important job.

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FIGHTING FIRES MORE EFFICIENTLY

Memphis Fire Department Headquarters

21st-century firefighters need 21st-century facilities.

In May 2023, a new, beautiful Memphis Fire Department Headquarters opened. Its creation allowed MFD to have a centralized hub and put services previously scattered throughout the city under one roof. Several new fire stations have been built or renovated as well.

Fire Station #43

Nestled in the Whitehaven area at 1283 East Holmes Rd., Fire Station No. 43 opened in April 2021. This project was undertaken as part of the City of Memphis Equal Business Opportunity Program, aimed at fostering the participation of minority and womenowned businesses in the city’s procurement activities. Its 890 sq. ft. training room also serves as a community meeting space and certified community storm shelter.

Fire Station #1

Fire Station #11

Fire Station No. 5 at 400 Adams Ave. serves as a replacement for the original station. In addition to office space and firefighter living quarters, it contains a conference room, a fitness room, and a patio. It opened in October 2021.

Located at 225 Chelsea Ave., Fire Station No. 1 opened in April 2023. With an impressive size of nearly 13,000 sq. ft., this station replaced two previously existing fire stations.

Fire Station #5

Fire Station No. 11 at 1826 Union Ave. is one of the most recognizable in the city. It was reopened in 2023 after renovations to the interior and exterior were completed. Updates were made to the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems, the sleeping and living quarters, and the kitchen.

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SAVING LIVES & MONEY Healthcare Navigator In 2015, the Memphis Fire Department developed and deployed its Healthcare Navigator model to aid those who need care but didn’t require a lights-andsirens trip to a hospital emergency room. Unfortunately, there was nothing in place to pay for this service, but that started to change when Medicare began paying some EMS providers for treating nonemergency patients on the scene or transporting them to alternate destinations, such as behavioral health facilities. This represented a fundamental shift but was limited to a small number of beneficiaries.

In 2022, thanks to legislation introduced in Tennessee, TennCare now has to reimburse EMS agencies in much the same way when dealing with non-emergency Medicaid patients. It is estimated that this would result in approximately $8 million in savings for the state and federal governments.

In partnership with Alliance Healthcare Services, we operate Crisis Assessment and Response to Emergencies (CARE) to better respond to mental or behavior health crises. Alliance estimates that people are diverted from jail to mental health treatment as a result of CARE.

RADAR Each year, Memphis Fire Department receives thousands of 911 calls from community members who are seeking medical assistance but are not experiencing lifethreatening emergencies. One response to this significant need has been the development of RADAR (Rapid Assessment, Decision, and Redirection), a Healthcare Navigator initiative designed to provide the right care, in the right place, and at the right time. RADAR is an innovative model which partners firefighter/paramedics with

KUDOS! MFD Is Tops For the first time since the 1960s, the Memphis Fire Department proudly achieved an Insurances Services Office Class (ISO) Class 1 rating, held by less than 1% of fire departments nationwide. The ISO rating has significant importance for the insurance industry as it plays a key role in determining fire protection premiums for homes and businesses.

Insurance companies utilize the ISO rating to assess the level of fire risk in a specific area, enabling them to set appropriate premiums based on the evaluated fire protection capabilities. This accomplishment aligns with our core priorities of public safety, neighborhoods, jobs, and good government.

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physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who respond to low-acuity 911 calls. This preserves ambulances for higher-level events by navigating non-emergency callers to resources that are more appropriate for their needs.

Memphis 311 T

he City of Memphis is proud to announce a significant transformation in its citizen services with a groundbreaking technological upgrade for the Mayor’s Citizen Service Center, known as 311. This initiative aims to enhance the experience for citizens.

database through Live Link.

While functional, it has become increasingly apparent that this system had limitations, including an outdated workflow, multiple points of failure, intermittent sync issues, inaccuracies within the SeeClickFix (SCF) phone App, and communication challenges.

311 is the non-emergency phone number and mobile application that empowers citizens to report various issues, from potholes and abandoned vehicles to high weeds on vacant lots, curbside trash, faulty traffic signals, and abandoned homes. It is a direct line of communication between the city and its residents, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly and efficiently without overburdening emergency lines or navigating through multiple municipal channels.

The old service request management system operated within an Oracle database and is integrated into an ESRI GIS

Recognizing the need for an advanced solution, the City of Memphis has chosen to leverage the powerful ESRI ArcGIS platform for mapping and spatial geographic information system analytics.

This platform will serve as the backbone for a series of cuttingedge applications designed to revolutionize citizen services including: •

•

Real-time Operational Dashboards: Citizens and city staff will have access to realtime data, improving response times and service delivery.

Internal Notifications for HighPriority Requests: High-priority

•

•

•

•

issues will be flagged for immediate attention, ensuring rapid resolution.

Chatbot: An AI-powered chatbot will assist citizens in navigating the 311 system and addressing common queries.

Internal Escalation Process: A streamlined escalation process will ensure that complex issues are promptly routed to the right department for resolution.

Improved Service Request In-Take Application: Citizens will experience a more userfriendly and efficient process for reporting issues.

New Desktop Back-End Application: City staff will have a robust desktop application at their disposal for managing service requests.

This initiative represents the City of Memphis’s commitment to delivering efficient and accessible citizen services, making it easier for residents to engage with the City of Memphis.

“As the CIO, I believe that our 311 website is the digital gateway to superior customer service and enhanced citizen engagement. It enables our community to request services and seamlessly report non-emergency issues. We are committed to leveraging technology to create a more connected and efficient city that serves the needs of all our residents.”

— Chief Information Officer Wendy Harris

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M

emphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development administers plans, programs and services that result in creating thriving, livable neighborhoods, connected communities, enhanced human potential and safe and efficient buildings.

DPD Service Centers Opened in 2021, the Division of Planning and Development established two customer-focused service centers for zoning, signs, and building permits and inquiries to be addressed at the front lines by professional staff. Service centers are now open in City Hall for zoning, signs, commercial building permits, and residential building permits and at 6465 Mullins Station Road for residential building permits, electrical permits, mechanical and gas permits, plumbing permits, and contractor licenses.

PLANNING &

Development

Develop901 Launching October 2020, DPD launched online permitting, updated permit processes, and a centralized web portal for development permitting in Memphis and Shelby County through Develop901.com.

Since launch, nearly 95% of DPD’s permit volume has moved to online applications and review times have decreased for permit issuance and building plan review.

Lamar Avenue Grant The Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) partnered with the State of Tennessee Department of Transportation (TOOT) in 2017 to apply for the federal INFRA grant to support the construction of critical road improvements to connect US-78 (Lamar Avenue) to Interstate 22.

In 2018, the federal government announced an award of $71.1 million to TDOT for Lamar Avenue.

The project expands Lamar Avenue from four lanes to six from the Tennessee-Mississippi state line north to Getwell Road.

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Tom Lee Park in development

Climate Action Plan In 2015, the City of Memphis signed on to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy - a formal commitment of city leaders across the world to tackle climate change by taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As part of the mitigation part of this commitment, the City inventoried its community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, establish targets for reducing emissions, and complete a climate action plan (CAP) that includes strategies for achieving these emission reductions. In 2016, recommendations were made on how to reduce Memphis and Shelby County’s carbon footprint and sustain our community into the future. The first milestone was to achieve a 15% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. This milestone was achieved by 2019 across the city and county.

Smart Memphis Plan In 2021, DPD released the Smart Memphis Plan, a guide for how city government can advance use of technology, analysis of data, and deployment of fiber over the next five years to help improve economic opportunity and quality of life for Memphis residents and businesses. This plan is a product of collaboration between DPD, the City’s Office of Performance Management (OPM), Information Technology Division (ITD), and multiple partner divisions and agencies.

The Smart Memphis Plan emphasizes how digital technology and intelligent data management can be harnessed to better serve the people, businesses, and institutions of Memphis.

Housing Policy Plan

“Mayor Strickland’s leadership has provided a blend of vision and accountability that has allowed Planning and Development to grow and help the city grow in important ways. The vision to set Memphis on a path of responsible, planned growth through the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan will have impact for decades to come.”

— John Zeanah, Director, Planning and Development

In 2022, DPD and Housing and Community Development (HCD) released the Joint City and County Housing Policy Plan focused on four objectives to address housing challenges in Memphis and Shelby County: improving housing quality, supporting homeownership, diversifying housing stock, and increasing quality low-income housing. The Housing Policy Plan is a five-year plan intended for short-term action and results by partner agencies. Since completion, most of the first-year activities have been addressed in the form of zoning and building code updates intended to help create opportunities for new construction on smaller lots, construction of accessory dwellings, and more opportunities to build small multifamily housing development.

Memphis 3.0 & Accelerate Memphis

M

ayor Strickland’s time in office ushered in Memphis 3.0, the City’s comprehensive plan to guide land use, development, transportation, and other built environment considerations over the next 20 years. Memphis 3.0 is headed by the Division of Planning & Development. This comprehensive plan is essential to establish an ambitious vision for the future and ensure clarity and predictability in growth and development patterns and how the City invests.

Memphis 3.0 was the City’s first comprehensive plan in 40 years.

Citizens were invited to provide input on what they wanted and needed in their neighborhoods, with 15,000 Memphians doing just that. Memphis 3.0 was adopted by the Memphis & Shelby County Land Use Control Board and the Memphis City Council in 2019.

Within Memphis 3.0 is Accelerate Memphis. Accelerate Memphis is an implementation tool of Memphis 3.0 that consists of a historic $200 million public investment initiative created to facilitate catalytic community projects in neighborhoods experiencing historic disinvestment and underrepresentation. These improvements include a street redesign to prioritize safety, new community greenspaces, gateway signage, medians, signal improvements, public plaza space, intersection redesign, improved lighting, signal upgrades, crosswalk improvements, traffic/pedestrian signal upgrades, new or improved bike lanes, and ADA improvements.

The nearly $50 million investment projects are expected to be complete by the end of 2023 and are intended to serve as a catalyst for future development opportunities.

A SNAPSHOT OF ACCELERATE MEMPHIS PROJECTS AutoZone Park Renovations In 2023, AutoZone Park reopened with a new playing surface, an updated video screen, LED ribbons, and other improvements, ensuring the stadium will be home to our national pastime for many more seasons.

Whitehaven Community Center The Whitehaven Community Center expansion includes a new multifunctional gathering space with a banquet hall, courtyard, and other amenities.

Pine Hill Golf Course In 1963, the Links at Pine Hill was the city’s first course open to African-American golfers. Pine Hill Golf Course renovations include updates to the course, clubhouse, outdoor pool, and a new driving range.

Orange Mound/Historic Melrose

“Accelerate Memphis is not only an investment in neighborhoods, it is an investment in our most precious asset, our people. It’s an investment in all Memphians and everyone who makes our City unique.”

— Mayor Jim Strickland, December 2021

The original Melrose High School was built in 1938 and is one of the first African-American schools in the city. The building closed its doors in 1979, and a new location was opened. The 40,000 sq. ft. structure is now being reimagined and repurposed as a multi-use space with a library, genealogy center, and café. It is scheduled to open in late 2023.

Aquatics Improvements

F

ourteen outdoor and indoor pools within the City of Memphis are receiving maintenance to return them to tip-top shape. Pools and splash pads are important amenities that help enrich the lives of residents through recreation, leading to more active and healthy communities.

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Gaisman Community Center and Park

Riverview Community Center

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Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was initially created to assist the City of Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency with reviewing applications for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and expenditures of TIF Funds. The CRA envisions every neighborhood in the City of Memphis and Shelby County providing its residents with a healthy and safe environment, economic opportunity, affordable housing, and excellent quality of life.

Restore, Reconnect, Reinvest Through its core values of Restore, Reconnect, and Reinvest, the CRA addresses blight in its neighborhoods and districts by restoring unkept or dilapidated spaces. They connect people to resources to maintain their homes or attain healthy, safe, affordable housing. The CRA connects business owners, developers, and providers of affordable housing to gap financing and available spaces to prevent future blight.

They connect neighbors to their community through outreach and service. They also invest in the longevity of the neighborhoods we serve through communitydriven planning and community-led implementation, thereby creating a sustainable model.

Grants and other assistance were made available for a myriad of improvement projects.

Through the CRA: • • •

• •

• •

Over 100 families have received grants to make their homes safe, warm, or dry.

Over 300 vacant or abandoned properties were restored.

Over 60 successful partnerships have been formed with neighborhood organizations and businesses.

Over 75 homes have participated in the home rehab program.

Over 760 dead, dying, or fallen trees have been removed or mitigated in the Uptown TIF district through the block wellness program.

801 blocks, sidewalks, and streets have been trimmed and cleared.

102 overgrown alleys have been cleared of trash, pests, and poisonous plants.

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“Mayor Strickland encouraged us as City leaders to solve problems and work with internal and external partners to complete projects and to implement new ones. The results are wonderful new amenities that all citizens of Memphis can enjoy and be proud of. Long-standing projects that had been lingering or stalled were implemented and completed. I feel that this is due to the collaborative spirit of this administration.”

HOUSING &

Community Development

— Housing and Community Director Ashley Cash

Housing & Community Development

T

he City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development is committed to positively enhancing the livability of our neighborhoods and serving our community with integrity, care, and high ethical standards. Memphis Housing and Community Development have had several “wins” with incredible constructions and renovations that benefit residents and the community. Here are a few of them.

Memphis Heritage Trail Memphis Heritage Trail officially launched in April 2018 during MLK50. Memphis Heritage Trail is a 20-block, 8.2-mile area of historical and cultural assets in South Memphis. It recognizes the contributions of African Americans who shaped the rich business, cultural, and musical heritage of Memphis, TN.

Foote Park at South City South City was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Memphis. The South City Project includes transforming the former Claiborne and Foote Homes housing projects. In their place stands Foote Park at South City. This mixed-income and multi-generational community offers 712 new housing units, parks, and social services dedicated to the health, wellness, and education of those in the neighborhood.

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Tillman Cove Tillman Cove, in Binghampton, is a 210 mixed-income apartment and townhome community for seniors and families. It was built at the former Tillman Cove Apartments site, which was demolished in 2019 after years of lying vacant.

Southwest Twin Town Center The City of Memphis acquired the long-abandoned Southwest Twin Drive-In on Third Street in 2023, and it is receiving new life as the site of several pop-up events while more permanent redevelopment plans are finalized. The City wants to improve the site’s infrastructure and existing pavilion with community gathering space, a police precinct, a library, and an automotive repair shop for city-owned vehicles. The new space will be known as Southwest Twin Town Center.

SOCIAL SERVICES The Community Service Block Program was created to improve the quality of life of low and moderate-income citizens by providing social services to nonprofit agencies.

These citizens include: • • • • • • • •

Youth The homeless and those with special needs Individuals living with HIV/AIDS The mentally ill The elderly Chronic substance abusers Those with developmental or physical disabilities Victims of domestic violence

Down Payment Assistance

Program (DPA) Homeownership in the United States has long been a cornerstone of the American dream. Not only does it signify independence and financial security, but it contributes to economic growth and job creation in our communities. The Down Payment Assistance (DPA) assists residents in meeting the financial requirements for purchasing a home by providing funds to meet closing cost requirements.

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American Snuff Project

New Housing in Memphis Public and private dollars have been hard at work creating new housing and community opportunities in Memphis.

Also, the city has built or initiated the construction or rehab of about 20,000 quality affordable housing units.

Madison @ McClean

Renaissance at Steele

Link Broad Avenue

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Alliance Healthcare Services The 55,000-square-foot building will expand the reach of Alliance Healthcare Services, the largest crisis services provider in the state.

The center will raise the number of Alliance’s beds from 27 to 45.

Alliance will also add walk-in appointments for adults and be able to service children and families for the first time. Alliance works with police and fire departments across Shelby County to help divert those with mental illness from the criminal justice system and into proper treatment. Over a 12-month period, Alliance says its team helps save about $165 million in health care and jail costs.

The center is expected to open in December 2024.

Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital has reopened its doors after being closed for decades and a multi-million-dollar renovation.

Collins Chapel was one of the only hospitals for African Americans in Memphis, and now, the newly renovated facility is a safe haven for the homeless.

The partnership between the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and Room in the Inn homeless ministry received funding from the city, county, and federal CARES Act. The upgrades also include 14 rooms for the Family Inn for families to stay together as they work to get out of homelessness.

US Marine Hospital Renovation The historic U.S. Marine Hospital building near the National Ornamental Metal Museum on the south end of Downtown has been renovated to 71 apartment units.

The exterior of the three buildings — one built in the 1880s and the others in the 1930s —primarily look the same, with acres of trees, brick exterior, iron fencing, and grand columns.

Other amenities include an inground pool, courtyards, public gathering spaces, a pet wash area, and bike care facilities.

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Ida B. Wells statue on Beale Street

MEMPHIS

Parks

Memphis Suffrage Monument

Free Youth Camps In 2018, all spring break and summer camps held at City of Memphis community centers and other locations became free for participants. This allowed more youth to participate in supervised organized activities, and parents/ guardians didn’t have to worry about the cost. Additionally, literacy education was added to the camps. Many other free programs for youth, adults, seniors, and families are offered at 15 Memphis community centers year-round.

• • • • •

•

All 120 developed parks improved 25 playgrounds resurfaced 14 aquatic facilities renovated 58 tennis courts rebuilt 3 golf courses (Audubon, Overton, and Pine Hill) rebuilt and 1 golf course (Fox Meadows) with new greens 5 new splash pads (David Carnes, McFarland, Orange Mound, Peabody, and Whitehaven Parks, with Audubon coming in 2024)

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KUDOS! The City of Memphis/HCD won the 2023 Memphis Business Journal’s Building Memphis Award for Best New Construction – Large Projects for Memphis Sports and Events Center. Also, Ed Rice Community Center was awarded the 2022 American Institute of Architects Merit Award.

Audubon Park & Audubon Golf Course

Ed Rice Community Center

Audubon Park now has a new playground and futsal court, along with the reconstruction of picnic pavilions on the north and south ends of Audubon Park to improve its overall quality and look. Also, adjacent to the park is a newly redesigned Audubon Golf Course.

The course was lengthened, and a driving range and short course was created along Cherry Rd.

Audubon Park

“Mayor Strickland has been focused on providing opportunities for youth, seniors, and families throughout Memphis.

He has been dedicated to ensuring that Memphis Parks has the resources to host high-quality, safe, entertaining options from recreation to summer camp to movies in the park. He has personally attended dozens of our after-hours and evening programs to see first-hand what his fellow Memphians enjoy about spending time at our programs.”

– Director of Memphis Parks Nick Walker

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Rozelle Annesdale Park Liberty Park Sports Complex

Mud Island Dog Park

Whitehaven Splash Pad

Orange Mound Splash Pad

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Riverview Community Center

Orange Mound Community Center

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David Carnes Park

Universal Pre-K

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n 2019, Memphis and Shelby County officials worked together to commit roughly $16 million annually to keep 1,000 prekindergarten seats that were in danger due to an expiring federal grant and added an additional 1,000 seats. This allowed the community to provide universal, needs-based Pre-K for the first time.

Youth & Young Adult

Programming

Better Youth & Young Adult Programming The City of Memphis Office of Youth Services (MOYS) has launched several new programs. In addition to doubling opportunities for youth summer employment and apprenticeships, programs were created to address niche or smaller populations to include as many youth as possible and have fun.

Memphis Youth Got Talent Memphis Youth Got Talent is a showcase that allows Memphis youth to perform in hopes of winning cash prizes. This provides gifted youth the opportunity to gain experience performing in a professional environment. Singing, rapping, dancing, poetry, and group performances are allowed.

To date, three competitions have been held with prizes ranging from $200 - $1000.

I Am Included The I AM INCLUDED Program is for youth between the ages of 14-18 with specific disabilities. The goal is to empower all children because students with disabilities deserve the same opportunities and recognition as everyone else. I AM INCLUDED helps prepare participants for the workforce, post-secondary options, and/or military careers with an overall goal of assisting them to becoming productive members of society.

“Memphis youth are a top priority of Mayor Jim Strickland. The Mayor has allowed me to be innovative and creative in working with the Division, and he has supported me in all of my efforts. Having leadership of this caliber has helped me and my staff develop a top-notch program and blueprint for the City and other cities in the State of Tennessee that have inquired to benchmark.”

— Special Assistant for Office of Youth Services Ike Griffith

MAP Memphis Ambassadors Program (MAP) is a year-round development and enrichment program that serves between 400-500 youth across the City of Memphis in each of the council districts. The program engages youth in grades 8-12 annually. MAP is designed to assist youth in their decision-making process about post-secondary life and the development of social, critical thinking, and leadership skills. The Five Pillars MAP focuses on are: Community Service, Leadership, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Perseverance.

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MPLOY Summer Jobs When Mayor Strickland took office in 2016, 1,000 youth were employed by the City through summer jobs created by the Office of Youth Services (MPLOY and MAP). That number received a 100% increase, with 2,000 youth being employed each year. City of Memphis youth ages 14 to 22 receive a meaningful and rewarding summer experience.

The MPLOY Youth Summer Experience offers various career path options, including soft skills training, entry-level positions, and internships, according to the participants’ strengths and interests.

Some of the top employers in the Memphis area make this possible by agreeing to serve as business partners, offering structured job opportunities for youth for six weeks during the summer months.

OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Manhood University & WOWS

Mayor Jim Strickland

“Going into this program, I did not know what I wanted to do and how I was going to do it. But because of this program, I have figured it out. And I was given the skills and resources to pursue my goals. I had an excellent experience. And now I’m focusing on my career path with the job I obtained from this program.”

— Aaliyah Robinson

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In 2016, under the leadership of Ken Moody, special assistant to the mayor for Community Affairs, it was determined that it would be beneficial to launch a program that helps build character, improve communication, and strengthen leadership skills for men. Manhood University was implemented by theOffice of Community Affairs and faith-based community partners to encourage, empower, and employ the men in Memphis to reach their highest potential.

The program is open to ages 18 and older.

It was later determined that young women in Memphis could benefit from a similar program. In 2018, Women Offering Women Support (WOWS) was implemented.

Opportunity R3 In 2023, City leaders created Opportunity R3 (Rethink, Rebuild, Rebrand). Opportunity R3 is a four-week, stipend-based program for ages 16 to 24 that allows individuals who are unemployed or not attending school to learn soft skills and shadow professionals in a field of choice to help them make an informed decision concerning the direction of their future. After completing the program, students are encouraged to seek employment or enroll in school. To date, 160 young people have participated in the program, with a 90% success rate of participants enrolling in school or becoming employed.

Boys & Girls Clubs Boys and Girls Clubs have had a great partnership with Memphis Shelby County Schools for years at Craigmount High School, where a club was established after school.

All club members graduated high school and have gone on to higher education, military or job placement.

The City of Memphis partnered with these organizations to expand to 10 additional high schools, which now serve an additional 3,000 youth with similar results.

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City of Memphis Multicultural Advisory Board The City of Memphis Multicultural Advisory Board comprises of dedicated individuals committed to enhancing the inclusivity and welcoming atmosphere of Memphis for all its residents.

Representatives from diverse multicultural communities, including African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+, are integral to the Board. As a catalyst, the City of Memphis Multicultural Advisory Board aims to promote respect, understanding, and inclusion of the city’s diversity. The Board actively supports long-term relationships with community members and various multicultural organizations, enriching lives through courageous interpersonal dialogue. Its overarching goal is to contribute to creating a safe and robust community through both group and individual interactions and through outreach, activities, and educational initiatives.

Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority (MMLBA) is a quasigovernmental nonprofit agency established in 2015 by the Memphis City Council as a local land bank, within the meaning of the Tennessee Local Land Bank Program, Tenn.

Code Ann. § 13-30-101.

As a real estate development entity designed to eliminate blight and restore the tax base, its mission is to transform blighted properties into economic opportunities.

MMLBA’s Land Banking Authority is granted by Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-30110. This statute grants the following authority: •

• • • • • •

Acquire properties at the tax auction sale for either the minimum bid (regardless of whether there are higher bids) or at no cost (in the absence of other bids) Bulk Quiet Title Action Hold properties in its inventory tax-exempt Dispose of properties following mission and policies for cash consideration and for non-cash consideration, including agreements related to the future use of the property Receive payments of up to 50% of real property taxes collected for five years on properties

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MMLBA’s current strategic focus areas are: •

•

•

Serving as the land acquisition entity for the redevelopment consortium of partners.

Increasing direct operations with City and County to carry out executive initiatives and strategies for the elimination of blight Developing Blight Elimination Strategy to be implemented with the Memphis 3.0 plan.

Developing strategic partnerships with all CDCs to assist them with developing blitght elimination strategies and assisting with land development opportunities and initiatives Develop a marketable real estate portfolio for the benefit of the constituency.

Memphis Public Libraries

M

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library

emphis has a world-class library system. Memphis Public Libraries (MPL) has 18 locations that offer much more than the latest books and periodicals. Our libraries provide year-round programming and continuing education programs for all ages that cover various topics.

MPL is also the only public library system in the country with its own television and radio station.

With the help of City of Memphis Communications, attendance of library programs has quadrupled in the last six years, with branches receiving more than two million visits annually.

In 2022, MPL’s Benjamin L. Hooks Library was selected as the Nation’s Most Innovative Public Library. This was significantly due to the addition of Cloud901, a state-of-the-art social, creative, production, research, and performance technology lab for teens ages 13-18 that provides resources to develop 21st-century skills, including innovation, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Cloud901 contains a video production lab, sound mixing station, art studio, maker space, performance area, and a hands-on robotics program. Since 2016, over 140,00 youth have participated in MPL programs.

“Mayor Strickland has always given us the support, financial and otherwise, that’s needed to make Memphis Public Libraries consistently amongst the best in the country. With this support, we have been able to let the staff dream big and find innovative ways to reach those most in need of our services.”

— Director of Memphis Public Libraries Keenon McCloy

MPL’s successes, accolades, and awards are a result of a strategic decision that the City of Memphis made to invest in its library system. We now have three new branches and a library budget of over $20 million.

Cossitt Library

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Raleigh Library

Frayser Library

Cossitt Library

New Developments

Start Here Rebranding

Start Here Van

The new Raleigh Library opened in November 2020. This new location is almost double the size of its former site, with nearly 10,000 sq. ft. It contains a kitchen and a Teen Innovation Center.

Focusing on programs that build skills in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), job readiness, early literacy, and grade-level reading, MPL ensures that Memphians have access to the technology and resources needed to succeed in academics, the workforce, and lifelong endeavors.

The Start Here mobile tech van was introduced to the public in 2018.

It’s equipped with a 3-D printer, multiple laptops, and a flat-screen TV to connect all areas of Memphis to specially designed programs that offer exposure to technology and library services.

Built in 1890, Cossitt Library, located downtown, is Memphis’s oldest public library. It reopened its doors in April of 2023 after a $6 million renovation.

The branch offers 9,000 sq. ft. across two floors, with a renovated courtyard, a new podcast and photography lab, and a café.

The groundbreaking for the new Frayser Library was in November of 2022. The 20,000 sq. ft. facility on James Road near Hollywood Street is expected to open 2024.

To help make the public aware of all these remarkable developments, MPL rebranded with a “Start Here” Awareness Campaign to enhance the customer experience, allow easier onboarding, and increase public awareness of the many programs MPL offers. The promise to be welcoming, helpful, transformative, fresh, and fun helped pique public interest like never before. As a result of this successful campaign, “Start Here” won a 2018 PRSA VOX Gold Medal Award.

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KUDOS! In 2021, MPL received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the nation’s highest honor for libraries and museums that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Memphis was recognized for its services, programs, and concerts that are open to people of every socioeconomic level. MPL was also awarded the National Medal for Museums and Library Services in 2022, and is the only organization to have ever been awarded it twice.

Raleigh Library and Town Center

“I’m a strong believer in libraries as a force for good. But none of this would have happened without our library director, Keenon McCloy. She is amazing. We’ve got library people coming from all over the country to see what she’s done here.”

— Mayor Jim Strickland November 2021

MEMPHIS

Animal SERVICES “Mayor Strickland made MAS a priority from the beginning. He supported requests for complement and budget increases as necessary to properly fund a progressive animal services agency.

— Alexis Pugh Director, Animal Services

Memphis Animal Services

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ach year, MAS responds to more than 20,000 calls for service, impounds more than 9,000 animals, and fulfills more than 5,000 assistance requests.

The well-being and care of animals is taken very seriously, as is finding safe, happy, loving homes.

One primary goal of MAS was to find ways to spare the lives of as many furry friends as possible.

This was done by transitioning to a community-supported shelter model that sought to limit euthanasia and find ways to help pet owners keep their pets and decrease the animal mortality of those in the shelter. This was accomplished in several ways: • •

The practice of euthanizing pets based on a time limit was eliminated.

Increased outreach to nonprofit rescue partners and increased public adoption efforts.

•

•

• • • •

•

Increased the percentage of pets in foster homes to 50% so that fewer pets have to reside in a shelter environment.

Better wellness services provide more in-depth examinations during pet intake to improve heart health and reduce the incidences of infectious diseases.

Introduction of a neonatal kitten foster program, reducing mortality by 89%.

Adopters are offered heartworm treatment for their new pets.

Dog playgroups and dog field trips were implemented to reduce dog mortality. Outdoor play yard renovations replaced the muddy, dangerous grass yards with donated turf from Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and added shade structures.

More time and resources were invested into the volunteer program, enabling pets to receive increased animal enrichment through more outside time and socialization.

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MAS Pet Resource Center Another critical component is the Pet Resource Center. It utilizes funds from donors and funding organizations to help pet owners with challenges who are determined to keep their pets.

When that’s not possible, they also help pet parents rehome their pets. In 2022, the Pet Resource Center assisted over 4,000 families through these services, which include a pet food pantry, veterinary assistance, and more.

KUDOS! Many of these efforts and others led to MAS being selected in 2018

by Best Friends Animal Society as one of five organizations in the country recognized for its lifesaving work.

Transportation AND Parking

The Mobility Center

MATA

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ublic Transit is vital to a thriving workforce, and for years, MATA has had significant challenges, To meet these challenges, in 2019, the MATA Board of Commissioners adopted Transit Vision of Memphis 3.0 as its guiding document for future transit infrastructure and surface improvements. This plan, in partnership with the City of Memphis, will implement a high-capacity 8-mile Bus Rapid Transit with dedicated lanes on two miles of road through Downtown Memphis that is expected to be completed in 2027.

Other improvements include bus stop design and accessibility, new routes with more frequent service, and increased weekend and evening service.

MATA received additional funds in 2022 through a $76 million investment for new infrastructure improvements from the grants championed by U.S. Representative Steve Cohen. These funds will be used to buy new buses and to construct a state-of-the-art bus repair shop. Other funds will be used to transition MATA’s fleet to electric buses and to install charging stations in the Crosstown Corridor Connector.

This money and $30 million in local funding will help MATA continue its quest to build an excellent transportation system in Memphis.

Memphis International Airport

For the first time ever, in partnership with the City Council, the Strickland Administration created a dedicated funding stream for MATA to greatly improve public transit by 2030.

Memphis International Airport (2022) The Memphis International Airport completed a $245 million modernization of Concourse B. It included wider corridors, moving walkways, larger boarding areas, and consolidation of airline, retail, and food options. This increased the enplanement capacity by 50%, giving Memphians and visitors a visually stimulating welcome after a flight.

The Mobility Center (2023) The new Downtown Mobility Center is primarily a parking garage with seven floors and 960 parking spaces between the Orpheum Theatre and the end of the Main Street Mall. It also contains four electric charging stations, with walls decorated with art and murals from 16 artists.

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The Bike Hub @ The Mobility Center The Bike Hub is a secure-access bike parking station that anyone with a membership can use. For a small fee, people who commute Downtown by bike, those who live nearby and need additional space, and others can store their registered bike(s) and helmet at the Hub.

Regional Transportation Plan The Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, along with a project team of consultants and member agencies, developed the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in 2023 and allocated Federal funding for recommended projects. The RTP balances all types of travel (automobile, freight, transit, bicycle, and walking) to establish a safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation network. The RTP’s planning area includes all of Shelby County, TN and Desoto County, MS, as well as portions of Fayette County, TN and Marshall County, MS.

Overton Park Greensward After years of controversy, Mayor Strickland in partnership with City Divisions, the OPC and Memphis Zoo, was able to add parking that Memphis Overton Park Conservancy needed for increased visitors, while simultaneously enhancing operations for the zoo, and adding over 20 acres of new public space for OPC to program and enhance quality of life for Memphians and visitors alike.

Harbor Docks Harbor Docks is the $26 million expansion of Beale Street Landing to capture the ever-growing river cruise industry. This will allow American Cruise Lines and American Queen to double port calls. Viking entered the market in 2023 and is expected to dock one of six boats daily in Memphis by 2026.

The Birds & Explore Bike Share Urban transportation in Memphis has been forever changed by providing a network of scooters and bicycles that can be rented on-demand from stations located around the city.

During July of 2018, 200 Birds landed in Memphis. The Birds are ride-share scooters that anyone can rent. They were initially available in Downtown, Midtown, Uptown, South City, and Cooper-Young, but now more than 500 can be found throughout the city. Each Bird allows users to exercise, travel effortlessly, and have fun. The fact that the Bird company pays Memphis a dollar per scooter each day isn’t a bad way to earn extra revenue for the city, either.

Similar to the Bird, Explore Bike Share found its way to Memphis in 2018 as well. They have 80 convenient pick-up/drop-off locations throughout downtown and near the city’s largest parks to help visitors and residents explore the city.

KUDOS! In 2022, MATA received the Innovation Award for Predictive Analytics in Fleet Maintenance from the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.

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Finance “Mayor Strickland has supported my vision and values, my opinion, and my assessment of the financial status and needs of the City operations. He has allowed me the freedom to manage the Finance Division in accordance with his vision but understanding my fiduciary responsibility to maintain and comply with statutory rules and regulations.”

— Chief Financial Officer Shirley Ford

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he Finance Division provides fiscal leadership, integrity, and superior financial services through prudent and efficient management of the City’s financial affairs. The Finance Division administration provides leadership and direction to its service centers and coordinates all financial functions of the City. To promote the City’s fiscal health, safeguard its assets, and aid its effectiveness in achieving strategic financial goals, the Finance Division develops, evaluates, revises, and encourages adherence to financial policies and procedures.

The top accomplishments for the Finance Division: •

•

Effectively managed the reporting and compliance for large federal programs such ARPA - $161M and CARES $113M. Successfully completed single audits to report federal and state expenditures, with no findings.

•

•

•

•

•

• •

Held grant summits to properly train divisions on obtaining grants, grant management, grant compliance, and grant close-out.

Documented and maintained procedures for grants accounting and grants compliance.

Collaborated with City Council to administer the Council Community Grant Program so that non-profits can do great work in the community.

Increased online property tax payments by 21.6% over the last three years.

Increased tax relief participation by 25.6% over the last three years by increasing citizen outreach.

Added a QR code to tax bills for easier property tax payment.

Introduced Spanish-language social media for treasury functions.

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Under Mayor Jim Strickland’s leadership, the City of Memphis has dramatically improved its financial status.

• Balanced budgets every year • Bond Rating was upgraded to AA Credit rating and improved at both Moody’s and S&P (two major credit rating agencies) • Increased the rainy-day fund (reserves) to more than $100 million • Fully funded pension for the first time in years.

• There have been 8 budgets passed and no property tax increases

KUDOS! The Finance Division received a 2023 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. The Budget Department received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the years of 2016-2021.

INFORMATION

Technology

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Information Technology

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he IT Division programmatically replaces obsolete equipment to enhance controls, improve efficiency, and meet data processing requirements of new software to support City of Memphis staff and citizen applications.

Smart Memphis Fiber The City of Memphis launched the Smart Memphis Fiber initiative in 2023 to align with the City of Memphis Smart City Plan, focusing on Digital Equity, Digital Literacy, and Workforce Development.

By leveraging Smart Memphis Fiber, the City aims to extend free public Wi-Fi to more parks and community centers, alongside enhanced device and equipment access. This investment promises to revolutionize city operations and improve service delivery to residents.

In Memphis, nearly 72% of households lack broadband subscriptions with a minimum speed of 10 Mbps. This initiative will bring fiber to areas marked by low broadband subscription rates and Memphis 3.0 anchors where City fiber lines converge.

Studies have also shown that investing in fiber infrastructure broadband nurtures small businesses, nonprofits, and remote work options, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

Smart Memphis Fiber is more than just infrastructure; it’s an investment in a more equitable, digitally literate, and economically vibrant Memphis. This initiative also echoes the City’s commitment to embracing technology for the betterment of its residents and future generations.

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Engineering

“Mayor Strickland fostered an environment of collaboration, innovation, and partnerships. That type of leadership allowed for creative approaches and strategies to complete projects.”

— Engineering Division Director Manuelito “Manny” Belen

Engineering

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ngineering’s mission is to improve the quality and safety of the citizens of Memphis by providing exceptional engineering services through civil design, land development, and traffic engineering.

The Engineering Division is responsible for ensuring that projects are appropriately planned, designed, and constructed for Memphians in a timely, costefficient manner. The Division has a variety of departments that work to improve and expand the City’s infrastructure, manage the design and construction of the City’s capital projects, and review private development proposals, all to ensure that the required standards, codes, and safety procedures are being followed for public safety.

Key Achievements •

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•

•

•

Shelby Drive and Millbranch Culvert Repair Project to repair an existing underground culvert by replacing existing deteriorating Pre-Cast Concrete Channel Slab (PCCCS) Beams with Concrete Box Beams.

N. Watkins Street over Wolf River and N. McLean Boulevard over Wolf River Bridge repairs to the deteriorating joints on both bridges Sam Cooper Bridge repairs to 11 bridges on Sam Cooper Blvd. from Holmes Rd. to Mendenhall Rd. Collaborated with the Medical District to implement significant street improvements along Manassas St., which will enhance the safety of users as well as the general aesthetics.

Medical Center Streetscape Project to make sidewalk and streetscape improvements along Poplar Ave. and Dunlap St.

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•

•

• •

• •

Engineering, Memphis Parks, and the Community Redevelopment Agency partnered together to completely redesign Morris Park, a key node on Poplar Ave and anchor between the Medical District and Victorian Village.

Procured and deployed Thermoplastic Pre-Melter and Applicator Machines to improve pedestrian safety and visibility.

Established online plans review checklist and guidebook for the Land Development Department.

The Mallory-Neely Carriage House renovations to provide function and purpose to the historic Carriage House on Washington Ave in Victorian Village.

Coordinated with Explore Bike Share to launch bike share in Spring 2018.

Re-signalized more than 80 intersections, eliminating visual blight and improving traffic control for all Memphis drivers.

The Civil Engineering Department had several notable accomplishments, including: •

•

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Medical Center Streetscape Project to make center median improvements for pedestrian safety and additions of bike lanes on Dunlap St. and plans for a proposed Greenline/ bike lane on Poplar Ave. near LeBonheur Children’s Medical Research Hospital.

Humphreys Boulevard at Sweetbriar Creek Project to replace the wingwalls, to include stabilization of the creek upstream of the headwall by installing sheet piling and grouted-up riprap (man-made shoreline protection).

Patterson Realignment aligned the intersection of Patterson St. and Walker Ave. with the existing intersection of Patterson St. and Southern Ave., on the south of BNSF railroad.

The realignment reduced the number of turns that a driver would make passing through the intersection as well as

•

• •

improved pedestrian safety and accessibility along the corridor.

The Memphis Stormwater Quantity and Quality (MSQ2) Management Program helped reduce the risk of flooding within Memphis at 13 locations.

Replaced over 15,000 traffic lights.

Analyzed over 1,800 plan reviews.

Land Development Department The Land Development Department (LDD) of Engineering, in concert with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, spent two years developing an integrated electronic system that captures the issuance of building permits, review of civil plans for private developments, and various permits issued by Engineering. Utilizing the commercial Accela platform, County and City Engineering functions relative to private

development were integrated.

It also provided citizens the opportunity to monitor the progress of their plan reviews and permit applications through a customer portal.

5G Cell Service In support of Mayor Strickland’s initiative for Memphis to be one of the first cities in America to have full 5G cell phone service, the LDD was assigned the task of reviewing and approving all 5G small cell permits submitted by various cell phone carriers. The 5G program required a closely spaced grid of micro transmitters/receivers to be installed throughout the city on existing utility poles. In October 2018, LDD approved 675 permits, with 99% of those permits being approved within the 60-day “shot clock” review period.

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS LED Street Lights The Engineering Division also worked on a special project for Mayor Strickland to make Memphis a little brighter. Through a partnership with Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), and Ameresco, a cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, an upgrade of over 77,000 fixtures will be made to LED. This project is designed to reduce energy costs citywide and enhance operations and maintenance.

In addition to providing improved illumination, enhanced safety, and reduced maintenance needs, the project is expected to result in annual energy savings of more than 37 million kWh and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 26,000 metric tons. The resulting energy and operating cost savings will allow the project to pay for itself over the system’s life.

Aquifer Study Memphis has been recognized as having some of the best water in the world. The City’s water supply comes from natural reservoirs hundreds of feet below the Earth’s surface, and the water lies in sand aquifers that sit between clay layers. In 2018, the Memphis City Council approved the Strickland Administrations’ request to a special fund paid by the citizens of Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County through their MLGW bills. This fund was used to pay for research on our drinking water, specifically the condition of the protective clay layer above the Memphis aquifer.

After five years of research, the Center for Applied Earth Sciences and Engineering Research (CAESER) released the results of their study in September of 2023 on the Memphis aquifer.

Suggestions were made about how the public can help protect its precious water supply, and the study’s results are available at caeser.memphis.edu.

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Public Works: Potholes, Paving & More

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aving the streets of Memphis was underfunded for many years, and by 2016, something drastic needed to be done to improve the safety of our streets.

Citizens complained of potholes they could swim in, rocky roads, and damaged tires, struts, axles, and rims. The street paving budget increased 72% during Strickland’s administration. Since 2016, the City of Memphis Public Works Department has filled 437,267 potholes and 1,190 miles of streets repaved.

Using Technology to Deliver Better Service

Public

Street Maintenance handles all requests related to street conditions, including cracking, guardrails, roadside litter, weeds, downed trees, and, of course, potholes. To be more efficient, the Street Maintenance Team wanted to use data to digitize request mapping to easily prioritize daily tasks and communicate these priorities to frontline staff. This would help reduce the time it takes to close service requests.

Information Services worked with Street Maintenance to integrate the ESRI Collector app for field associates to track requests, automate maintenance tasks, and see near real-time service request activity. Additionally, managers were given an online dashboarding tool that allowed them to see an overview of requests in their area, real-time activity being completed, and aging requests that need attention. By going digital, requested services are being processed and addressed much more quickly.

WORKS

“Our best long-term solution to make our roads smoother isn’t rocket science. It’s simply paving more streets.”

-- Mayor Strickland, January 2022

KUDOS! The Public Works Division received a 2022 Energy Generation & Recovery Award from Utility of the Future Today, which highlights transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and resource management.

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Fighting Blight No city looks attractive or clean with blight. Dilapidated buildings, unkempt, damaged, and abandoned buildings and properties all contribute to blackeyes in any area. The City of Memphis believes that a cleaner city begins with informed citizens.

To achieve this, the City launched several initiatives.

“Under Mayor Strickland, I saw strong strategic growth, and the city is headed in a positive direction. Difficult and necessary decisions have been made to ensure that the future of the city is consistent with Memphis 3.0. No Mayor prior to Mayor Strickland has ever prioritized core services so much, and the City’s paving has greatly benefited from the Mayor’s dedication and financial commitment.”

— Public Works Director Robert Knecht

Blight Busters PSAs In partnership with Communications, the City harnessed the power of visual media by creating impactful Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that were broadcast on television and across various online platforms. These animated PSAs highlight the importance of responsible waste disposal and the detrimental effects of blight on Memphis.

Clean Memphis Guide The Clean Memphis guide was updated to offer comprehensive insights into waste management practices and responsible disposal methods. This guide is now available to neighborhood and community associations, ensuring residents have the knowledge to contribute to cleaner surroundings.

It can also be accessed online and through the Public Works Department.

Collins Yard Convenience Center Promotion Community awareness about the Collins Yard Convenience Center, a hub for responsible waste disposal, was increased. Through collaborations with diverse media outlets, residents are now wellinformed about this resourceful center that facilitates proper removal, making it easier for everyone to do their part.

Billboards In an effort to remove blight, the City of Memphis initiated efforts to remove almost 200 abandondoned billboards in Memphis neighborhoods.

General SERVICES General Services

T

he General Services Division delivers firstclass maintenance and repair of buildings, vehicles, and other crucial support services, providing vital support for the Administration, City Divisions, and other governmental organizations cost-effectively and efficiently.

Their projects vary from minor to very technical. Here are several of them.

City Hall: • •

• • •

• •

• • • • •

Renovation of City Hall elevators Remodel and renovation of City Council Committee Room, City Council Suite, and 5th-floor Committee room Renovation of Dr. Martin Luther King Conference Room Renovation and Redesign of City Hall Cafeteria City Council Chambers Renovation Project, including roofing, LED lighting, asbestos abatement, skylight modification, wall painting, new doors, and flooring Replacement of City Hall exterior cladding Installation of over 5,000 sq. ft. of new flooring on the 7th floor, Council break room, and 6thfloor hallway Installation of City Hall Information Monitors 4th Floor Space Renovations for the Division Planning Development Office 5th Floor Elevator Lobby renovation upgrade Rebuilt 500-ton chiller in the building’s HVAC system Updated parking garage and lobby fluorescent lighting to LED

Other Accomplishments: • •

• • • • •

Implementation of Convergint Access Control for new security measures Relocation and renovation of HCD, MPD, and Law divisions into 170 North Main, the Public Safety Building ADA renovations at Libraries Buildout of the Police Recruitment Center at 61 S McLean Blvd.

Construction completion of a new Property Maintenance facility at 3720 Knight Arnold Certification incentive program for employees Collaboration with City of Memphis Divisions of Human Resources, Youth Services, and Shelby County Schools for employment and skills training opportunities

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• •

Mapping of city parcels into GIS and addition to the City of Memphis Website for public use LED retrofits for MFD Training Center and Various Fire House

Inclement Weather Repairs: • • • •

Simmons Liberty Bowl Overton Park Shell Ed Rice Community Center Office of Emergency Management

Solid WASTE Solid Waste

M

ayor Strickland was concerned about the significant delays in garbage collection outside the cart many citizens were experiencing.

The former service level agreement gave the City 21 days to pick up outside the bin trash, but unless citizens called 311 to report a service request, it was difficult for the City to deploy resources efficiently. As a result, the City met its goal only 65% of the time.

To improve the speed at which garbage placed outside the cart was collected, Mayor Strickland created a team to examine the data surrounding solid waste collection. Data showed that while the city was reliably picking up weekly garbage and recycling, we were missing our goal of picking up outside-the-bin trash within 21 days more than half the time. The data and resident complaints also revealed that the contractor serving the Cordova and Hickory Hill areas was underperforming.

Two of the most pressing needs identified were a lack of equipment and a lack of staff. Previous costcutting measures led to 76 unfilled solid waste positions, and over two dozen pieces of equipment were unreplaced. Steps were taken to fill the open positions, purchase new equipment, and obtain rental equipment until the new equipment arrived.

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Using the service request data for the contracted area, Mayor Strickland invoked a clause that allowed the City to cancel the contract and bring on an emergency contractor to provide service.

reinstatement of the division allows its leadership to focus more on improving daily services.

Solid Waste has more than 500 employees and impacts close to 200,000 households each week.

The Solid Waste team also worked with City Information Services team to develop an app allowing managers to monitor service requests in the field with a tablet. This enables managers to electronically handle their workload and direct field staff more efficiently.

A new service delivery model was implemented to streamline city services and better use resources.

Garbage and recycling are now picked up weekly, and yard waste over two bags and bulky items are picked up two times a month on the scheduled collection day. By assigning days for outside-thebin pick-up, Solid Waste is able to better plan its workload, deploy resources, and provide faster services.

Reinstatement of the Division of Solid Waste To further address the outside bin trash issue, Mayor Strickland reinstated the Division of Solid Waste bringing it out from under the Division of Public Works. The

As a result of these efforts, requests for missed pickups and open requests for outside-the-cart pickup were drastically reduced.

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Since 2016, the Solid Waste Division has: • • • • •

•

Distributed 170,000 96-gallon recycling carts to single-family residences.

Acquired 316 fleet vehicles to replace old and low-performing ones.

Implemented a bi-monthly bulk waste collection model with a defined schedule.

Increased capacity for bulk waste collection with more crew members and equipment.

Deployed cloud-based service delivery verification and validation and installed Samsara camera technology on most of the fleet.

Created a training program for employees to obtain a commercial driver’s license and special equipment operation certifications to create a path for career growth while increasing the City’s capacity for bulk waste collection.

“I’ve seen tremendous improvement in the transparency of government during Mayor Strickland’s administration……One of his biggest strengths is his leadership style that allows Directors to make data-driven decisions.”

— Solid Waste Director Phillip Davis

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“Friends, when I was sworn in as mayor, I promised you I would apply fresh eyes to the old problems of City government.”

— Mayor Jim Strickland

2020 Inauguration

J

im Strickland was sworn in as mayor of Memphis for the second time on January 1, 2020, at the Michael D. Rose Theatre Lecture Hall. United States Circuit Judge Bernice Donald administered the oath of office again.

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“The MLK50 season in our city will be meaningful, full of important events and reminders. But through it all, let us always remember what happened on February 1, 1968: the deaths of Mr. Cole and Mr. Walker. May we never forget them, and may we always appreciate and respect the dignity of our solid waste employees.”

— Mayor Jim Strickland, February 2018

MLK50

M

LK50 was a citywide commemoration of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King 50 years after his 1968 assassination. The assassination of Dr. King is a part of history that will forever be associated with Memphis, but it’s important to acknowledge the reasons that brought the civil rights leader to the Bluff City.

In 1968, sanitation workers Echol Cole and Robert Walker sought shelter from the rain inside their truck’s garbage barrel, and while inside, a compacting motor shorted and crushed the men to death. Their deaths sparked a civil rights flame that grew into a raging fire leading to the 1968 Sanitation Worker Strike for better working conditions and better pay. Dr. King came to Memphis in support of their efforts.

The City felt that it was necessary to formally recognize the 1968 sanitation workers during the MLK50 commemoration activities. A historical marker stands at Sea Isle and Colonial to remind us of Echol’s and Walker’s significant place in history.

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I Am A Man Plaza In preparation for MLK50, the I Am A Man Plaza was unveiled on April 5, 2018. It sits adjacent to Clayborn Temple, where the sanitation workers staged their protest. The beautiful outdoor plaza features a giant sculpture of the “I Am A Man” slogan made famous by the 1968 strike and a wall with the names of 1,300 strikers.

MLK Reflection Park On April 6, 2018, the City of Memphis unveiled a new landmark to honor Dr. King. The MLK50 Reflection Park provides space for the public to sit and think about the life-long works of the civil rights icon and the mission that brought him to Memphis. The lovely and serene park includes the 10-ton steel “I Have Been to the Mountaintop” sculpture (built in 1977), three ponds, and never seen photos of Dr. King.

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Sanitation Workers and Pension In 1968, the sanitation workers chose to go with social security when given a choice between it and the city’s pension plan. However, it was quickly discovered that social security did not provide enough for these workers to retire comfortably and the federal government would not allow the city to move these workers to the City of Memphis retirement plan.

In 2017, the city announced the creation of a new retirement plan for all sanitation employees that supplements Social Security and the deferred compensation plan.

For the first time since 1968, Solid Waste employees (formerly sanitation) will have a retirement equal to all other city employees.

In addition, the city provided a $70,000 grant to each of the 30 remaining sanitation workers who participated in the 1968 sanitation strike. Although not part of the city’s pension plan, the new retirement plan helps provide financial stability for the city’s sanitation workers.

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The City of Memphis coordinated administration of more than 1.25M vaccinations, and facilitated the conversion of the Commercial Appeal building into a 401 bed COVID hospital in under 45 days, which we thankfully never had to use We established remote learning facilities for children who were out of school and that needed access to Internet for remote learning and allocated $5M of funding to procure tablets for students who needed them for remote learning. Because of our coordinated effort, the COVID-19 mortality rate was significantly lower in Memphis and Shelby County than the national rate.

MEMPHIS

Versus COVID-19 C

OVID-19 was unlike anything Memphis and the world had ever experienced before.

According to the World Health Organization, the global pandemic claimed 3 million lives by the end of 2020. In Memphis, the pandemic shuttered businesses and shut down schools, which later transitioned to virtual learning. Mayor Strickland and his administration were dedicated to keeping citizens as safe as possible, while details about the virus emerged. Once vaccines were approved, vaccinating as many people as possible was at the top of the “to-do” list.

Working Together to Save Lives The Memphis and Shelby County Joint Task Force was created to ensure that both governments disseminated one consistent message to the public.

The regional effort included governments, hospitals, schools, public safety agencies, and communications that included executive orders regarding gatherings, masking, and vaccination. Free vaccination sites were set up in Memphis and Shelby County.

Under the leadership of Communications, a vaccination media campaign was launched to share information through the media, and grassroots efforts were also deployed with medical providers canvassing neighborhoods and offering free vaccines to those who desired them. COVID-19 updates were provided daily to arm citizens with information and ensure the public that their local governments were doing everything within their power to stop the spread of COVID-19.

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Many COVID Relief efforts were completed throughout Memphis, but this administration is particularly proud of how one of our most vulnerable populations was cared for – Memphis’s homeless population. According to a 2021 Point In Time Report, there are approximately 739 homeless individuals in Memphis, with 202 people going unsheltered (living outside). Those without a home cannot shelter in place and depend on the kindness of others for many of their essential needs. With many businesses closed, this presented a challenge for the homeless.

The Housing and Community Development (HCD) Division led the Homeless COVID Relief Efforts.

The following steps were taken: • •

•

•

•

•

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Hotel lodging was provided to more than 300 people from March 2020 to May 2020.

A long-term solution was put into play with the renovation of the Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital’s 28-bed facility. Room At the Inn to provide temporary respite housing to homeless individuals being discharged from the hospital. They also provided services to homeless families.

To help thwart an increase in homelessness, an Eviction Settlement Fund was established to prevent evictions due to the inability to pay rent. One million dollars was budgeted toward these efforts.

Almost $3 million was allocated to Emergency Solutions Grant Cares Act funds for nonprofit partners in the community to address housing needs due to COVID-19.

A portion of those funds was also used to renovate two agencies to increase their bed capacity to house more homeless individuals and families due to COVID-19.

The second allocation of the Emergency Solutions Grant Cares Act funds were awarded to organizations that provided emergency shelter assistance, congregate and non-congregate shelters, street outreach activities, rapid rehousing, rental and utility assistance, homeless prevention, and HMIS (Data System used to keep track of the people being served).

Eat Up! To help local restaurants, Mayor Strickland also implemented a Meal Challenge, challenging citizens to order meals from local restaurants to help keep them afloat while dining rooms were closed and gatherings were strongly discouraged.

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The Hospitality Hub In 2022, with significant city investment, Memphis became home to the Hospitality Hub, a fullservice, innovative homelessness facility that includes the region’s first barrier-free emergency shelter for women (Hub Hotel) designed to facilitate healing from trauma.

The Hospitality Hub works to help people exit homelessness.

The Hub campus is a safe, kind, and respectful environment that serves as a single-entry point to wrap around support services. The Hospitality Hub Hotel includes a quiet room, family room, salon, dining space, case counseling, partner rooms, and Sacred Places.

Sacred Places are community-led, contemplative green spaces.

HUB Studios

Women comprise roughly 37% of Memphis’s homeless population.

However, the Hospitality Hub was now fills this void, The Hospitality Hub provides its clients with the stabilizing resources they need, including temporary shelter, assistance acquiring identification, employment opportunities, and referrals to community partners, including mental health and recovery programs. Other services include extensive case management, job placement, housing navigation, support for applying for food stamps, and additional government support.

The campus is also home to the Hub Studios. These auxiliary dwelling units are reserved for the marginalized homeless community with unique needs for whom other temporary shelter options are insufficient or non-existent.

Work Local The City’s Work Local Programs partner with the Hospitality HUB to offer citizens experiencing homelessness an opportunity to earn an hourly income by picking up litter in neighborhoods and communities. Also, removing blight, or the physical deterioration of a neighborhood or community, is crucial for creating and maintaining vibrant and thriving communities.

At the end of each shift, crews can liaise with the dedicated team of case managers at The Hospitality Hub to advance their individual lives.

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Awards & Recognitions Multiple Years • • • •

2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019 – Keep America Beautiful President’s Circle Recognition Award 2016-2020-1st place Tennessee Highway Safety Law Enforcement Program Challenge Awards 2016- 2019 Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 2016- 2019 Government Finance Officers Association, Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

2023 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

City of Memphis, What Works City Silver Certification, Bloomberg Philanthropies Finance Division, 2023 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Government Finance Officers Association The City of Memphis/HCD, 2023 Building Memphis Award for Best New Construction, Memphis Business Journal Outstanding Citizenship Award WLOK - Steve Shular SHRM Team Excellence Award Organizational Development IT Digital Smart Cities Award City of Memphis, ranked # 10 in the 500,000 or more population category of the Top-Ten Digital Cities Urban Executive of the Year” – Tennessee Public Transportation Association Thomas G. Neusom Leadership Award”- Conference of Minority Transportation Officials Super Woman in Business” – Memphis Business Journal invisible Warriors Award” – AARP Tennessee Urban Land Institute – Memphis Chapter -Honorable Mention- ED Rice Community Center TRPA TN Recreation Professionals Association, Four Star Award Nominations -Renovated Facility- Gaston Community Center People’s Choice Award- For the Building & Technology Systems – Large Project Category Grand Award Winner, Pickering Firm, Inc. for their Memphis Union Mission -- Opportunity Center Structural Systems – Large Project Category- Honorable Mention - Fisher & Arnold, Inc. for their Memphis Sports and Events Center for the City of Memphis Studies and Research – Small Project Category- Honorable Mention- Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for their Summer Avenue Complete Streets Corridor for the Tennessee Department of Transportation Transportation – Large Project Category- Honorable Mention- Fisher & Arnold, Inc. for their SR-4 Holmes Road Interchange for the Tennessee Department of Transportation in Memphis, TN Waste and Stormwater – Small Project Category Grand Award Winner- Allen & Hoshall, Inc. for their McLemore Avenue Streetscape and Green Infrastructure Project for the City of Memphis

2022 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

City of Memphis, 2022 Community Champion, Leadership Memphis Doug McGowen, Kate Gooch Leader of the Year, Leadership Memphis Memphis Parks, 3 Gold and 3 VOX Awards, Public Relations Society of America Memphis Parks, 4 Star Winners: Special Events & Public Relations, TN Recreation Professionals Association Mike Flowers, Parks Resource Management Excellence, Tennessee Recreation & Parks Association Corey Brown, Parks, Maynard Glenn Award, Tennessee Recreation & Parks Association Kristine Strickland, Parks, Robert Horsley Award, Tennessee Recreation & Parks Association Ed Rice Community Center, American Institute of Architects Merit Award Austin Chin, Parks, Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award, West TN PGA City of Memphis, #10 2022 Digital Cities Survey Winner DPD, Outstanding Implementation Award, TN Chapter of the American Planning Association DPD, Accela Trendsetter Award Officer Antonio Espinoza, MPD, Tennessee Officer of the Year, Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police Lawrence Higginbottom, MAS, Animal Control Officer of the Year, National Animal Care & Control Association, Chief Alex Smith, HR, HRD America 2022 Global 100 HR Leaders Stiles WWTF, Public Works, Award for Energy Generation & Recovery, Utility of the Future Today Eldra White, Government Employee Award of Excellence, TN Urban Forestry Council CIO Wendy Harris, IT, Women Who Lead, Memphis Business Journal Mia Harvey, MATA, Best Public Information Officer Top 40 under 40, Urban Elite Professionals MATA, Predictive Analysis in Tire Maintenance, Smart Cities MATA, Innovation Award for Predictive Analytics in Fleet Maintenance, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials MATA, Urban Executive of the Year, TN Public Transit Association Bacarra Mauldin and LaBarbara Houston, MATA, Legendary Women, AARP Chief Shirley Ford, Finance, Award of Financial Reporting Achievement, The Government Finance Officers Association of the US & Canada Finance, Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting,Government Finance Officers Association

• • • • • • •

•

•

•

•

Jessica Chaney, Libraries, Library Journal’s Movers and Shakers Award Fire Head Quarters, Notable Design, Firehouse Station Design Awards “Urban Executive of the Year” – Tennessee Public Transportation Association Innovation Award- Conference of Minority Transportation Officials Power 100 – Memphis Business Journal Smart City Award West Tennessee PGA Professional Golf Association Mickey Barker- Golf Professional of the Year Mickey Barker – PGA Professional Development Award Bruno Strzalka – Youth Player Development Award Austin Chinn – Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) 1. Public Service Campaign – Meet on Common Ground 2. Logo – Memphis Parks 3. Community Relations Campaign – Meet on Common Ground VOX awards (the highest level) all related to the Memphis Parks rebrand.

1. Photography 2. Video 3. Integrated Campaign TRPA TN Recreation Professionals Association Awards Four Star Award Winner Special Event - Spring Break Mane Public Relations- Memphis Parks Rebrand – Meet on Common Ground Individual Award Winners-Maynard Glenn (Municipal Non-Community Center Program) -Corey Brown, Robert Horsley (Municipal Community Center Program) - Kristine Strickland, Resource Management Excellence - Mike Flowers American Institute of Architects: Merit Award- Ed Rice community center

2021 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

• •

City of Memphis What Works City Gold Certification, Bloomberg Philanthropies Finance, Budget, Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association Memphis Public Libraries, National Medal for Museum and Library Service, Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Human Resources, 2021 Association Award for Engagement Strategy Excellence in the North America Region, HRO Today National Medal Winner- Institute of Museum and Library Services Tyler Excellence Award Winner: Data and Insights- Performance Management National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Tennessee Tennessee Emergency Numbers Association (TENA) Large Public Safety Answering Point Dispatch Incident of the Year Sam Cochran Criminal Justice Award Congress for the New Urbanism Charter Award What Works Cities Gold Certification Best of the Bar- Chief Legal Officer- Jennifer Sink Power 100- Chief Finance Officer- Shirley Ford, Mayor Jim Strickland, Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowen Memphis Advertising Federation Silver Award for Social Media - Parks in the Fall Gold Awards for: Integrated Consumer Campaign - Local Integrated Brand Identity Campaign - Local, Regional or National Elements of Advertising - Logo design Online branded content - Single spot - less that :60 sec Television Spot - local Apparel Campaign Art Direction - Campaign Website In addition, the effort also won: Best of Campaign - a top honor Best of SHOW - which is the top honor of all.

West Tennessee PGA Professional Golf Association Richard Eller Growth of the Game Award - Austin Chinn

2020 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Finance, Budget Department received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award City of Memphis, Memphis 3.0 Plan Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan Telly Award – 901 Keep It Clean Campaign – General TV Public Service PSA Telly Award – 901 Counts 2020 Census – General TV Public Service PSA Grand Award from American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Tennessee for M.C. Stiles Effluent Disinfection Grand Award for the State of TN, National Engineering Excellence Award American Planning Association Daniel Burnham Award of Excellence for a Comprehensive Plan - Memphis 3.0 What Works Cities Silver Certification Destination Zero Traffic Safety – Winner Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO) Innovation Award #1 “Bike Friendly City” in Tennessee, People For Bikes #5 “Accelerating City” for Bicycling in the US, People For Bikes Memphis Neighborhood Preservation Summit, President’s Award- Neighborhood Preservation, Inc. Memphis Business Journal Best Real Estate Deals (BRED) Award Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award NUSA Governmental Publications Award Chief Learning Officer Magazine. Bronze Learning In Practice Award Top 10 Digital Cities Survey Winner Center for Digital Government

2019 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Finance, Budget Department Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association City of Memphis, State of Tennessee’s Outstanding Plan Award National Government Communicators Association Communicator of the Year- Chief Allison Johnson Fouche’ TDOT/Keep Tennessee Beautiful Awards of Excellence – Public Education: Adults Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association Outstanding Plan Award What Works Cities Silver Certification National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) Merit for Safety and Security Award Insurance Services Office #1 rating #1 “Accelerating City” for Bicycling in the US, People For Bike Telly Award- Fed Up - General TV Public Service PSA American Institute of Architects Architecture National Honor Award in Education: Crosstown High American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture National Honor Award TN Society of Human Resource Management- Human Resources Management Excellence Award.

Tennessee Municipal League. Excellence in Human Resources Award Memphis Business Group on Health (MGBH), Healthy Workplace Recognition Healthier TN, Healthier Tennessee Workplace Recognition

2018 • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

City of Memphis, What Works City Silver Certification, Bloomberg Philanthropies Finance, Budget Department, Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association Mayor Jim Strickland, 2018 MWBE Champion, National Association of Women Business Owners Memphis Animal Shelter, recognized by Best Friends Animal Shelter for their life-saving work.

Volunteer Memphis Nonprofit Initiative Award –Recognition of Service and Dedication to Volunteerism Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) Excellence in MPO Coordination and PartnershipNational Award Tennessee Emergency Numbers Association (TENA) Large Public Safety Answering Point Dispatch Incident of the Year Best Friends Conference - Dedication towards No Kill by 2025 31st Rank in “The Best Bike Friendly Cities in America,” Bicycling Magazine Best Mixed-Use Community Award and Multifamily Community of the Year Award, Pillars of Multifamily Industry Award NUSA Governmental Newsletter Print and Electronic Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award - National Trust for Historic Preservation Congress for the New Urbanism Charter Awards: Grand Prize

2017 • • • • • • • •

Finance, Budget Department, Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association ACEC Main to Main with Allen & Hoshall- Big River Crossing.

MBJ Building Award- Best Renovation and Conversion for Big River Crossing Engineering Excellence Honor Award for Main Street to Main Street -Multimodal Connector Project TDOT/Keep Tennessee Beautiful Awards of Excellence –Public Participation: Great American Cleanup TDOT/Keep Tennessee Beautiful Awards of Excellence – Public Education: Adults Richard S. Borys Award – presented by the Vollintine Evergreen Community Association (VECA) for Outstanding Public Service Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Transportation Planning Excellence Award – National Award

• 2016 • •

Finance, Budget Department Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association 2018 National Procurement Institute Achievement of Excellence in Procurement

BIBLIOGRAPHY THE INAUGURATION Poe, Ryan. “Strickland Wants to Restore Hope, Make City Government More Responsive.” The Commercial Appeal, 1 Jan. 2016, https://www. commercialappeal.com/story/news/government/city/2016/01/01/strickland-wants-to-restore-hopemake-city-government-more-responsive/90368758/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2023.

NEW BUSINESS Carrington, Gus. “Memphis Topgolf location’s general opening date revealed.” localmemphis.com, 15 August 2022. Memphis Topgolf location’s general opening date revealed | localmemphis.com].

Cicci, Samuel X. “The Walk on Union Adds Two New Partners.” The Memphis Flyer, 17 June 2021, www.memphisflyer.com/the-walkon-union-adds-two-new-partners.

Edwards, Tracey. “WELCOME TO THE RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER.” Renasant Convention Center, 12 Apr. 2023, www.renasantconventioncenter.com/.

“FedEx Logistics Opens Global Headquarters in Downtown Memphis.” MEMPHIS, Tenn, 5 Apr. 2022, newsroom.fedex.com/newsroom/global/fedex-logistics-opens-global-headquarters-in-downtown-memphis.

Kennedy, Corinne S. “Construction underway on Memphis Topgolf location.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, 15 August 2023. https:// www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/business/development/2022/12/15/memphis-topgolf-location-opening-construction-underway/69730738007/ Kennedy, Corinne S. “Amazon Bringing 2 More Facilities to Mid-South, Will Hire Hundreds in Memphis, Mississippi.” Commercialappeal.Com, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 22 Apr. 2021, www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/business/development/2021/04/22/amazon-jobs-new-facilities-memphis-west-tennessee-northern-mississippi/7334086002/.

Luther, Chris. “Amazon to Open New Memphis Facility, Adding Hundreds of High Paying Jobs to Growing Local Job Market.”

Actionnews5.Com, MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC), 24 Apr. 2021, www.actionnews5.com/2021/04/23/amazon-open-new-memphis-facilityadding-hundreds-high-paying-jobs-growing-local-job-market/.

Peterson, Joyce. “ServiceMaster Headquarters Leaving Memphis, Relocating to Atlanta.” Www.Actionnews5. Com, Action News, 5 Mar. 2021, m/2021/03/05/servicemaster-brands-leaving-memphis-heading-atlanta/.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Announces Expansion of Its Strategic Plan to Target Pediatric Catastrophic Diseases.” Www.Stjude. Org, Media@stjude.Org, 13 July 2022, www.stjude.org/media-resources/news-releases/2022-medicine-science-news/st-jude-announces-expansion-of-strategic-plan-targeting-pediatric-catastrophic-diseases. html.

Stennett, Desiree. “Union Row: New Renderings and Site Map Sharpen Vision for Downtown Memphis Development.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, 27 Sept. 2019, www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/business/development/2019/09/26/ union-row-downtown-memphis-development-renderings/2421730001/.

Watts, Micaela A. “Five Things to Know: Indigo Ag Is Bringing Their Commercial Headquarters to Memphis.” Commercialappeal.

Com, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2018, www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/12/13/indigo-ag-bring-their-headquarters-memphis/2298510002/.

We Are Memphis. “Union Row, a $950M Development in Downtown Memphis.” Wearememphis.Com, 28 Mar. 2023, wearememphis. com/hustle/momentum/union-row-development-in-downtown-memphis/.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Coleman, Alex. “City Council sets aside $10 million for Mud Island River Park.”, 10 June 2022, City Council sets aside $10 million for Mud Island River Park (wreg.com).

Crosstown Concourse in Memphis - We Are Memphis.” 2018, wearememphis.com/explore/emerging-projects/crosstown/?utm_ source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DynamicSearchAds&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8NilBhDOARIsAHzpbLBTmc6N0ZpsmZvtYb8XSiVL7VdjGfbgCy4YND2xV5589azZpqckk5AaAuPSEALw_wcB. “Elvis Presley Boulevard Improvements.” epbmemphis.com. http://epbmemphis.com/ “Gang, Studio. “Memphis Riverfront Concept.” Now Los Angeles Times, studiogang.com/project/Memphis-riverfront-concept.

“How Tom Lee Park was transformed into a public space ‘unlike any in the world’.” msn.com. MSN International Edition - World news, Africa news, Asia News, Europe News “Liberty Park - Memphis Parks.” https://memphisparks.com/park/liberty-park/ What’s Up With Tom Lee Park?” ilovememphisblog.com. retrieved from What’s Up With Tom Lee Park? | I Love Memphis (ilovememphisblog.com)

Documents created and provided by the City of Memphis for governmental informational purposes are not listed.

WE MEAN BUSINESS Action News 5 Staff. “Elvis Presley Enterprises plans Graceland expansion, will bring 1,000 jobs to Whitehaven.” WMC Action News 5, 6 March 2019, https://www.actionnews5.com/2019/03/05/elvis-presley-enterprises-plans-expansion-will-bring-jobs-whitehaven/.

ANZILOTTI, EILLIE. “How Cities Can Support Minority and Women Entrepreneurs: Buy Things from Them.” Fastcompany.Com, WORLD CHANGING IDEAS, 29 Jan. 2019, www.fastcompany.com/90298216/how-cities-can-support-minority-and-women-entrepreneurs-buy-things-from-them.

Chaney, Kim. “Universal Life Building Reopens As City Of Memphis Business Development Center.” [localmemphis.com], 3 April 2018. Universal Life Building Reopens As City Of Memphis Business Development Center | localmemphis.com Payne, Margot. “The Universal Life Insurance Building: Designing a Better Memphis.” storyboardmemphis.org, 11 July 2019, https:// storyboardmemphis.org/historic-preservation/universal-life/.

Risher, Wayne. “Renovation gives Universal Life building second chance to uplift community.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, march, 21, 2018, https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/business/development/2018/03/21/universal-life-building-memphis-renovation-second-chance-uplift-community/422477002/.

TOURISM “COGIC Holy Convocation Returns to Memphis after 11-Year Absence.” Actionnews5.Com, 2022.

“Davis, Corey. “Memphis hotel pipeline looks strong for 2022 and beyond.” Memphis Business Journal, 6 January 2022, https:// chat.openai.com/c/da3490c6-87d6-483f-bd9e-011cd4bd3650.

Hardiman, Samuel. “75 million Graceland expansion moves forward after City Council; Elvis Presley Enterprises reach compromise.”

Memphis Commercial Appeal, July 2, 2019], https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2019/07/02/graceland-expansion-elvis-presley-enterprises-memphis-city-council/1632959001/.

“Newly Opened Hotels in Memphis - Mia Dahl’s Guide 2023.” new-hotels-guide.com. Newly Opened Hotels in Memphis - Mia Dahl’s Guide 2023 (new-hotels-guide.com) EMPLOYMENT Brown, Ann. “Memphis Mayor Launches Initiative to Fund 800 Black-Owned Businesses.” Moguldom, 3 June 2018, https://moguldom.com/148203/memphis-mayor-launches-initiative-to-fund-800-black-owned-businesses/#:~:text=To%20help%20correct%20 this%2C%20Strickland%20recently%20announced%20the,city%E2%80%99s%20800%20minority-owned%20businesses%20 that%20have%20paid%20employees.

“City of Memphis Communications. “Weekly Update: A City on the Rise.” 28 January 2022. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TNMEMPHIS/bulletins/3080915 MBK | My Brother’s Keeper - Memphis.” mbk-memphis.org, retrieved from https://mbk-memphis.org/ “Memphis Growth - Memphis Growth Rate - We Are Memphis.” We Are Memphis. https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/ memphis-tn-population Memphis, TN | Data USA.” Data USA, https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrFbhK1GCdl8RMOiAFXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA21jYWZlZQRmcjIDc2ItdG9wBGdwcmlkAzBBdU56RGNrUjFlZlVyT2g3bXQ4c0EEbl9yc2x0AzAEbl9zdWdnAzEEb3JpZ2luA3NlYXJjaC55YWhvby5jb20EcG9zAzAEcHFzdHIDBHBxc3RybAMwBHFzdHJsAzIyBHF1ZXJ5A01lbXBoaXMlMkMlMjBUTiUyMCU3QyUyMERhdGElMjBVU0EEdF9zdG1wAzE2OTcwNjExNTc-?p=Memphis%2C+TN+%7C+Data+USA&fr2=sb-top&fr=mcafee&type=E210US739G0 “The 800 Initiative.” http://the800.org, http://the800.org/index.html.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wages in Memphis — May 2022.” 30 June 2023, https://stats.bls. gov/regions/southeast/news-release/2023/occupationalemploymentandwages_memphis_20230630.htm#:~:text=Occupational%20Employment%20and%20Wages%20in%20Memphis%20%E2%80%94%20May,the%20U.S.%20Bureau%20of%20Labor%20 Statistics%20reported%20today.

LEADERS WHO LEAD Senior Leadership - The City of Memphis. 1st ed., vol. 1, Memphistn.Gov, 2016, https://doi.org/https://www.memphistn.gov/senior-leadership/. pp. 1-2.

Strickland, Jim. “The City of Memphis has Achieved Silver Certification! Memphis is recognized as a leader in data-driven, well-managed local government.” City of Memphis. https://data.memphistn.gov/stories/s/What-Works-Cities-Certified/cznc3wgw/.

HUMAN RESOURCES & PERFORMANCEMANAGEMENT “Alex Smith, CHRO for the City of Memphis.”. Profile: Alex Smith, CHRO for the City of Memphis - HRProfessionalsMagazine “City of Memphis Student Loan Repayment™.” City of Memphis. Publication date not specified.

Gartner. “The HRBP’s Evolving Strategic Role: How to become a more effective partner to your line leaders.” Gartner, 13 July 2023, https:// www.gartner.com/en/human-resources/role/hr-business-partners.

Van Vulpen, Erik. “HR Business Partner: All You Need To Know About the Role.” AIHR Blog, https://www.aihr.com/blog/hr-business-partner/.

Documents created and provided by the City of Memphis for governmental informational purposes are not listed.

MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT “A Look Back at How Eliza Fletcher’s Case Is Helping Thousands Fight for Justice.” ABC24 Memphis, uploaded by ABC24 Memphis, 8 Feb. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=BoBgD1l8i8E. Antonio Planas and Minyvonne Burke. “DOJ to Review Memphis Police Use of Force, De-escalation Policies following Tyre Nichols’ Death.”

Article Talk, vol. 1, 2023, p. 17, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/doj-review-memphis-police-department-wake-tyre-nichols-death-rcna73973. Accessed 3 Aug. 2023.

Bureau of Justice Assistance U.S. Department of Justice. “Neighborhood Watch Manual USAonWatch - National Neighborhood Watch Program.” vol. 1, 2005, p. 1, https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/NSA_NW_Manual.pdf. USAonwatch.Org, 8 Feb. 2005, bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/NSA_NW_Manual.pdf. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.

Bureau of Justice Assistance U.S. Department of Justice. “Neighborhood Watch Manual USAonWatch - National Neighborhood Watch Program.” vol. 1, 2005, p. 1, https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/NSA_NW_Manual.pdf. “Proposed Pay Raises for Police and Fire May 17 - June 9, 2023.” USAonwatch.Org, 8 Feb. 2021, totalrewards.memphistn.gov/public-safety-salary-increase-program-2023.Public Safety Salary Increase Program 2023 – Total Rewards (memphistn.gov). Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.

Diprizio, Jeni. “After nearly 4 years since protesters shut down the I-40 bridge, what progress has been made?” 5 June 2020, 6:33 PM CDT, updated 5 June 2020, 7:13 PM CDT. https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/protests/after-nearly-4-yearssince-protesters-shut-down-the-i-40-bridge-what-progress-has-been-made/522-2603c63d-8b37-4bf5-988c-6de638180d1d Ezekiel Kelly Gets More Charges for Memphis Mass Shooting.” uploaded by WREG News Channel 3, 23 Feb. 2023, www.bing.com/ videos/search?q=ezekiel+kelly&docid=603538979248166369&mid=5ECDE9DE2A74C9B7739E5ECDE9DE2A74C9B7739E&view=detail&FORM=VIRE. Finton, Lucas. “City of Memphis to Appeal Ruling in Lawsuit Involving 12,000 Untested Rape Kits.” 17 Aug. 2023. https:// www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2023/08/17/city-of-memphis-to-appeal-ruling-in-untested-rape-kit-lawsuit/70612870007/ FOX13 Memphis News Staff. “One Year Later: Memphis remembering the lives lost on shooting spree anniversary.” 7 September 2023. https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/one-year-later-memphis-remembering-the-lives-lost-on-shooting-spree-anniversary/ article_7a7ee30c-4d66-11ee-acf6-d7a478ad6d47.html FOX13 Memphis News Staff. “Residency Requirements: Memphis First Responders Can Live 2 Hours Outside City Limits.” 14 April 2022. https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/residency-requirements-memphis-first-responders-can-live-2-hours-outside-citylimits/article_fae0a4ea-082d-58c0-83f8-c811d0a02fb4.html Gertler, Jessica. “GUN SAFE MEMPHIS: Memphis intervention program credited for dip in violent crime.” November 17, 2022, 06:00 PM CST, updated November 17, 2022, 01:43 PM CST. https://wreg.com/news/local/gun-safe-memphis/memphis-intervention-program-credited-for-dip-in-violent-crime/ Hunter, Marcus . “City OKs $794M Budget with No Tax Hike, More Pay for Police.” vol. 1, 2023, https://wreg.com/news/local/cityoks-794m-budget-with-no-tax-hike-more-pay-for-police/#:~:text=Councilman%20Martavious%20Jones%20had%20proposed%20 a%2029-cent%20tax,highest%20paid%20public%20safety%20employees%20in%20the%20region.

Jay Jones, Zaria Oates. “Here Are the Results of Several Police Reform Measures in Memphis City Council After Tyre Nichol’s Death.” 7 Mar. 2023. https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/results-police-reform-measures-memphis-city-counciltyre-nichols-death/522-3ce39e78-3811-4da3-abee-972a12b8c71d Jones, Jay. “Nearly one year after Memphis shooting spree, trial date still not set for accused shooter Ezekiel Kelly.” 5 September 2023, 6:09 PM CDT, updated 14 September 2023, 12:27 PM CDT. https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/crime/one-year-after-memphis-shooting-spree-trial-date-ezekiel-kelly/522-6197a6e3-7573-4801-bdbf-951bee1b491c Morales, Andrea. “Remembering July 10, 2016: The day they took the bridge.” 10 July 2020. https://mlk50.com/2020/07/10/remembering-july-10-2016-the-day-they-took-the-bridge/ Neighborhood Watch - The City of Memphis (Memphistn.Gov). 1st ed., vol. 1, Memphistn.Gov, 2016, https://doi.org/https://www. memphistn.gov/neighborhood-watch/. pp. 1-6.

Nichols, Tyre . “Killing of Tyre Nichols.” Article Talk, vol. 1, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Tyre_Nichols. Accessed 7 Jan. 2023.

Rucker S, Jones B. “Memphis SCORPION Unit Permanently Disbanded.” Article Talk, vol. 1, 2023, p. 17, https://wreg.com/news/ local/tyre-nichols/memphis-scorpion-unit-permanently-disbanded/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2023.

Documents created and provided by the City of Memphis for governmental informational purposes are not listed.

DIVISION OF FIRE SERVICES Wooten, Rya . “MFD to Renovate Fire Station Located at Union Ave.” 4 Oct. 2022. https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/ local/memphis-fired-department-union-ave-renovations-firefighters/522-e7861854-82ac-49c1-b060-865db4a0e9e1 Division of Fire Services Reports and Documentation “Insurance Reimbursement Legislation Allows Healthcare Navigator to Treat More Patients.” Memphis Fire Department, memphisold.memphistn.gov, https://memphisold.memphistn.gov/news/insurance-reimbursement-legislation-allows-healthcare-navigator-to-treat-more-patients/, Published May 10, 2022.

MEMPHIS 3.0 & ACCELERATE MEMPHIS “Accelerate Memphis News.” News, 27 Sept. 2023. https://www.acceleratememphis.com/ “IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOODS WITH INVESTMENTS IN 34 ANCHOR AREAS ACROSS THE CITY.” Activate Memphis, 27 Sept.

2023. https://www.acceleratememphis.com/activating-memphis-3-0/ HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT “ABC24 Staff (ABC). “Reinventing Memphis’ Historic Melrose High School Building.” Talk, https://www.localmemphis.com/article/ news/local/memphis-historic-melrose-high-school-building-groundbreaking-orange-mound/522-b81ea290-8df9-46fc-a4a92b5d244492df. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

“City of Memphis - Division of Housing & Community Development (Memphishcd.Org).” Talk, http://www.memphishcd.org/about. html. Accessed 23 Feb. 2022.

“DEBORAH WATERS TURNER, . “”MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN SOUTH CITY”.” Talk, https://southcitycrc.weebly.com/. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.GREEN SPACE, PARKS & REC REATION FACILITIES “Memphis development: New apartments planned in Medical District.” commercialappeal.com, Memphis development: New apartments planned in Medical District (commercialappeal.com), November, 31, 2018.

“Memphis’ Southwest Twin Drive-In to host events, seek redevelopment.” commercialappeal.com, Memphis’ Southwest Twin DriveIn to host events, seek redevelopment (commercialappeal.com), August, 21, 2018.

UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.” Talk, https://www.memphisheritage.org/universal-life-insurance-company/. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

CRA Community Redevelopment Agency. Community Redevelopment Agency (cramemphis.org).

GREAT PLACES TO PLAY: GREEN SPACE, PARKS & RECREATION FACILITIES CAESER - Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research. “APPLIED RESEARCH FOR THE COMMUNITY.” https://caeser.memphis.edu/.

Charlier, Tom. “Memphis cobblestones loaned for architecture exhibit in Italy.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, 15 December 2016, https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/04/19/memphis-cobblestones-loaned-architecture-exhibit-italy/530100002/ Kollar, Leena. “Why Memphis Has the ‘Sweetest Water in the World’.” Culture Trip, 15 August 2023, https://theculturetrip.com/ north-america/usa/tennessee/articles/why-memphis-has-the-sweetest-water-in-the-world.

Lendermon, Benny. “Interview regarding the Preservation and Restoration of Memphis Cobblestone Landing.” Interviewed by Bill Dries, October 16, 2018. Lendermon: Cobblestones Must Be Preserved - Memphis Daily News Risher, Wayne. “Cobblestone landing project will leave 160-year-old stones unturned.” Daily Memphian, 17 June 2020, 6:27 PM CT, updated 18 June 2020, 4:44 PM CT. Cobblestone landing project will leave 160-year-old stones unturned - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian University of Memphis. “UofM’s CAESER Releases Results from 5-Year, $5 million MLGW Aquifer Study.” https://www.memphis.edu/ mediaroom/releases/2023/september/uofm-caeser-mlgw-aquifer-study.php.

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMMING “I AM INCLUDED PROGRAM.” Memphis Youths Services, 4 Sept. 2021. https://www.cityofmemphisyouth.org/i-am-included Johnson, Lakeeda . “City Leaders Create a Free Program for Young People to Help Them Further Their Education or Create a New Career Path.” Talk, httpshttps://www.localmemphis.com/article/life/city-leaders-createfree-program-opportunity-r3-memphis-juvenile-young-adult-crime-prevention/522-1d4690e0-0881-4f91-8285-20bb9fe982b8://southcitycrc.weebly.com/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

“Memphis Office of Youth Service.” City of Memphis, 27 Sept. 2023. https://www.cityofmemphisyouth.org/ “Opportunity.” Talk, https://opportunity.memphistn.gov/opportunity-r3/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Documents created and provided by the City of Memphis for governmental informational purposes are not listed.

MEMPHIS PUBLIC LIBRARIES Arthur, Shay . “Memphis Library Hopes to Expand Service with Mobile Technology Van.” 2023, https://wreg.com/news/memphis-library-hopes-to-expand-service-with-mobile-technology-van/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

“Cossitt Library Reopens After Renovations Complete.” 2023, https://wreg.com/news/local/cossitt-library-reopens-after-renovations-completed/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2023.

Grant, Richard . “How Memphis Created the Nation’S Most Innovative Public Library.” 2023, /https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/memphis-created-nations-innovative-public-library-180978844/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

MEMPHIS ANIMAL SERVICES “Memphis Animal Services Save Rate.” 2023, https://data.memphistn.gov/stories/s/nrse-heac. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

TRANSIT, TRANSPORTATION & PARKING Explore Bike Share | Memphis Travel” Explore Bike Share | Memphis Travel Kim and Jim Coleman. “Bird Scooters have landed in Memphis, expanding mobility options for the city.” Assissi Foundation, 18 July 2018. Bird Scooters have landed in Memphis, expanding mobility options for the city (highgroundnews.com) Munks, Jamie. “Memphis officials wonder about popularity of Bird scooters as temperatures dip.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, 18 October 2018. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/10/18/memphis-charging-bird-1-day-per-scooter-under-interim-agreement/1588512002/ Peterson, Joyce . “MATA Receives $76 Million Investment for New Infrastructure Improvements.” 2022, https://www.actionnews5. com/2022/08/25/mata-received-76-million-investment-new-infrastructure-improvements/. Accessed 25 Aug. 2022.

“Planning and Development.” 2019, https://www.matatransit.com/about/planning-and-development/. Accessed 3 May 2019.

Sells, Toby. “New Deal Saves Greensward, Adds Parkland, Forest Land, and Zoo Parking Spaces.” Overton Park Conservancy, 8 March 2022.

Memphis Flyer | New Deal Saves Greensward, Adds Parkland, Forest Land, and Zoo Parking Spaces FINANCE Finance - The City of Memphis (memphistn.gov) PUBLIC WORKS: POTHOLES, PAVING & MORE Action News 5 Staff. “City of Memphis Allocates $19.5M to Paving, Pothole Issue for 2021.” 2021, https://www.actionnews5. com/2021/04/10/city-memphis-allocates-m-paving-pothole-issue/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2021.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Lobo, Bento. “Economic Study Documents $2.69 billion in Benefit from Chattanooga’s Community Fiber Optic Network.” EPB, 26 January 2021. Economic Study Documents $2.69 billion in Benefit from Chattanooga’s Community Fiber Optic Network | Benton Institute for Broadband & Society GENERAL SERVICES & SOLID WASTE “Improving Solid Waste Services.” 2019, https://data.memphistn.gov/stories/s/scmj-u26s. Accessed 10 Apr. 2019.

ERRYBODY V. COVID-19 Strickland, Jim. “Together, We Will Get through This.” 2020, https://www.facebook.com/mayormemphis/videos/1142312462796699/.

Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES: HOMELESSNESS & MENTAL HEALTH Downtown Churches Association. “The Hospitality Hub: A Centralized Entry Point into the Continuum of Care.” 2007. https://www. hospitalityhub.org/worklocal/ Every Day the Hub Works to End Homelessness in Memphis by Connecting Individuals with the Resources They Need to Achieve Stable Housing and Better Health Outcomes.” 2020, https://www.hospitalityhub.org/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

“MEMPHIS TO SERVE AS HOST CITY FOR WORLD’S LARGEST MUSIC BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT WITH THE SUPPORT OF UK PARLIAMENT AND LIVERPOOL.” 2023, https://www.plamedia.com/memphis-to-serve-as-host-city-for-worlds-largest-musicbased-mental-health-project-with-the-support-of-uk-parliament-and-liverpool/. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

“Mental Health By the Numbers.” 2020, https://nami.org/mhstats?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6KunBhDxARIsAKFUGs_O2oJtvZ5UosnPSxMMwb5rWIgf2e8GzM5Niymc2CKTov-jg0NKsokaAnC2EALw_wcB. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

The Hospitality Hub. “The Value of Work Local to the Community.” Accessed at hospitalityhub.org. https://www.hospitalityhub.org/ worklocal/ Tsai, Jack, and Jemma Alarcón. “The Annual Homeless Point-in-Time Count: Limitations and Two Different Solutions.” American Journal of Public Health (AJPH), vol. 112, no. 4, April 2022, pp. 633–637. Published online: March 23, 2022. doi:10.2105/ AJPH.2021.306640. Accepted: November 22, 2021.

“WATCH: ‘Road to Memphis’ Tackles Mental Health through Music, Free Sessions.” 2023, https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/ watch-road-to-memphis-tackles-mental-health-through-music-free-sessions/video_3a375504-3579-5df2-b08c-580f7591b881.html.

Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Documents created and provided by the City of Memphis for governmental informational purposes are not listed.

CELEBRATIONS, WINS & RECOGNITIONS MAYOR STRICKLAND 2020 INAUGURATION Ariel Cobbert. “City of Memphis officials take office.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, January 1, 2020, https://www.commercialappeal. com/picture-gallery/news/2020/01/01/swearing-ceremony-memphis-mayor-jim-strickland/2790286001/.

MLK 50 “Chaney, Kim . “MLK50: Reflection Park Unveiled In Downtown Memphis.” 6 Apr. 2018. https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/ local/mlk50-reflection-park-unveiled-in-downtown-memphis/522-e2a9e3fb-74d7-4b9a-8a8a-5132ec9333cd “Chaney, Kim. “MLK50: Reflection Park Unveiled In Downtown Memphis.” 6 Apr. 2018. https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/ local/mlk50-reflection-park-unveiled-in-downtown-memphis/522-e2a9e3fb-74d7-4b9a-8a8a-5132ec9333cd CLAYBORN TEMPLE & I AM MAN PLAZA.” 6 Apr. 2018. https://www.cliffgartenstudio.com/projects/i-am-a-man-plaza “I AM A MAN PLAZA Hernando Street, Adjacent to Clayborn Temple Memphis, Tennessee.” 6 Apr. 2018. https://www.cliffgartenstudio.com/projects/i-am-a-man-plaza “I Am A Man Plaza Unveiled on 50th Anniversary of King’s Assassination.” 4 Apr. 2018, p. 19. https://www.actionnews5.com/story/37879346/i-am-a-man-plaza-unveiled-on-50th-anniversary-of-kings-assassination/ REMOVING SYMBOLS OF OPPRESSION “Confederate Statues Removed from Memphis Parks.” 21 Dec. 2017, p. 18. https://www.actionnews5.com/story/37112643/jefferson-davis-nathan-bedford-forrest-statues-taken-down/ Mayor Jim Strickland. “Letter from Memphis Clergy Members to Tennessee Historical Commission in Support of Moving Forrest Statue.” 13 Sept. 2022. https://medium.com/@MayorMemphis/clergyletter-b1e5ae3513aa

Documents created and provided by the City of Memphis for governmental informational purposes are not listed.