The Midtown Overlay Explained
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Memphis Regional Design Center midtown Midtown OverlayIf you’re living in Memphis, chances are you’ve heard of the Midtown Overlay. And if you’ve heard of it, there’s at least a good chance that you’re somewhat confused. Here’s everything you need to know about the plan:
What the Midtown Overlay is not: A new drink special at the HiTone (made, inevitably, with Pabst, whiskey and barbecue rub).
What the Midtown Overlay is: A zoning plan that will cover areas of Midtown not already zoned into the Medical District Overlay or historic districts.
Who’s idea is this?: The urban planners at the Memphis Regional Design Center
What’s the goal: Provide guidelines for development (and redevelopment) in Midtown. The goal is to give developers some predictability that will encourage them to develop more, which will (hopefully) make Midtown more vital and economically stable. In short, the MRDC wants to make sure that development in Midtown is happening in a way that’s good for the neighborhood.
What that means for Midtown: The overlay is going to affect commercial buildings and apartment buildings. Some of the most affected buildings will be those on Central, Cooper and Madison. New buildings will have “frontages”, which push the buildings to the street with parking on the sides and the rear of the building.
When does the Overlay go into effect: The plan has been approved by the Land Use Control Board. It’s got two more hearings before the City Council (on Sept. 14th and Sept. 28). There will be a public hearing on September 28th. If it’s adopted, it will go into effect immediately.
I’m still confused. Who should I talk to?: First, read the information on the MRDC’s website. They’ve got all sorts of presentations, documents, and a very helpful FAQ. You can also attend the public hearing on Sept. 28th.
(Special thanks to Chooch Pickard at the MRDC for answering all of my questions.)
12:58 pm
Thanks for the helpful information! I hope that we have a great turnout for the City Council meetings because our representatives need to know how much this means to us Midtowners.
3:43 pm
Thanks for the explanation! That really helps!
7:57 am
That description didn’t help AT ALL >:( all it talks about is “frontages” of buildings. For god’s sakes will the developers please leave the good area’s alone & focus on tearing down the crap around cleveland and that yellow and blue “overlay” area ?? thats where all the crack/crime is. I can’t even go to the gas station at cleveland & madison (GREAT place for the trolley to end btw – i’m sure out of towners love the ho’s & crackheads harrasing them at the corner) Oh and that strip on Lamar, yes please demolish & rebuild and get rid of the night walkers in hot pants & stacks & the people who solicit them.
4:48 pm
@rebeccaolesen Unfortunately the dynamics of change may only happen within neighborhoods. The residents and business owners in those crappy areas have to be involved. The more they initiate, the faster change may happen. I also am not sure what the origin of the midtown overlay was. It was my impression it would affect Union the most.