Memphis Metropolis

MLk50 reporter Jacob Steimer visits Memphis Metropolis for a discussion of his recent reporting about dramatic increases in local rents and how families are being impacted. Later in the show, regular commentator Austin Harris provides some historical context to how the local rental market has changed over the past 15 years and talks with Emily about potential policy changes that could keep rents in line. 

Justin Merrick from Center for Transforming Communities (CTC) visits Memphis Metropolis to talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected community engagement and organizing.

This week we take a deep dive into the qualities that make neighborhood commercial districts attractive, appealing, and livable - and how proposed local zoning changes could over time eliminate undesirable land uses and contribute to the revitalization of those places. Returning to the show for this discussion, Director of the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. 

This week, Dennis Ostrow from the volunteer-built and -maintained V & E Greenline visits to discuss the origins of the city's first green line, its enhancements over the years, and its importance to the VECA neighborhood. Later in the show, commentator Cole Bradley and host Emily Trenholm talk about the many community benefits to green lines and greenways, in the areas of transportation, health, neighborhood connectivity, and community building. 

VECA's annual fundraiser for the V & E Greenline will be Saturday, October 9, 2021. Plan to attend!

Resources and Information

V & E Greenline

With extreme weather events like Hurricane Ida happening so frequently, communities around the U.S. are considering their own preparedness. This week, Memphis Metropolis sat down with Jared Darby from the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Sustainability and Resilience. After the severe local flooding in 2011, Shelby County received federal grant funding to craft a resilience plan and just as importantly, build projects that would help mitigate future flooding. On the show, Jared discusses those ongoing projects and more.

Later in the program, regular commentator Charlies Santo from the University of Memphis came by for a deeper dive into the meaning of resilience and the importance of social vulnerability in addressing it. Charlie and Emily also discussed the Regional Greenprint Plan, which built the foundation for local sustainability efforts and indirectly also ushered in a new era of planning in Memphis and Shelby County.

More information

Resilient Shelby

Memphis and Shelby County Resilience Plan

Daron Joffee, also known as Farmer D, visits Memphis Metropolis to discuss how incorporating agricultural uses such as farms, gardens, and farmers markets into "agrihoods" (agriculture-based neighborhoods) can promote land conservation and the farming sector while also benefiting residents through a greater sense of community. We were also joined by Marlon Foster, executive director of Knowledgequest in South Memphis, an early proponent and practitioner of the agrihood concept through the Greenleaf Learning Farm. 

Resources and Information

Citizen Farmer website, including a link to the CF podcast and book. 

Greenleaf Learning Farm at Knowledgequest

Shelby County historian Jimmy Rout III visits the show to discuss the preservation of Shelby County's smaller historic cemeteries, including African American resting places such as Hollywood (Memphis Slim and Furry Lewis are buried there)  and Mt. Carmel (containing the grave of Memphis hero Tom Lee) in South Memphis, as well as the many family-owned burial sites in the county. 

Additional information 

Email Shelby County historian Jimmy Rout III

Gravestone Inscriptions from Shelby County

Photos from Hollywood, Mt. Carmel, and other historic cemeteries at the Historic Memphis website.

Sacred to the Memory - a portfolio of photos of forgotten African American burial places in Shelby County, from University of Memphis professor Coriana Close. 

When LGBTQ+ youth become homeless or face housing challenges, the ripple effects on health, employment, and safety can be profound. This week, Stephanie Bell visits Memphis Metropolis to discuss how Out Memphis is addressing the issue on many fronts through its Metamorphosis Project, a new resource and housing support center. Later in the show, regular commentator Cole Bradley stops by to talk about other local progress on the homeless-serving front and the historic importance of special places - from bars to neighborhoods - in the gay community. 

More information

Out Memphis

Donate to the Metamorphosis Project

Bar Fight: The Rise and Fall of Memphis' Gay Bars

This week, Mr. Muhammad from Juice Orange Mound and Rhodes College student Mary Elizabeth Whitmire visit Memphis Metropolis to discuss the Mound Up Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Through a resident-led planning process - supported by Rhodes students - the Orange Mound community is identifying its own priorities and projects as the neighborhood and surrounding areas are experiencing rapid change. Later in the show, commentator Austin Harrison shares his perspective as the Rhodes professor working to support the plan and build long-term partnerships between the college and the community. 

Resources

Mound Up Urban Revitalization Plan 

Mound Up on Facebook 

Juice Orange Mound

This week, Bradyn Carson from the Memphis Office of Comprehensive Planning and Meghan Medford from Summer Avenue Merchants Association visit Memphis Metropolis to talk about a so-called Complete Streets study for Summer. Through the planning process, stakeholders including business owners, residents, and nonprofits will identify needs, priorities, and recommendations to make the streets safe for all users - including pedestrians, bike riders. and transit users - and more attractive as well. 

Later in the program, regular commentator Austin Harrison returns to talk with host Emily Trenholm about the ongoing renaissance of Summer and how planners and neighbors are working to celebrate and preserve the city's true international district. 

Resources and Information

Memphis and Shelby County Office of Planning and Development website

Summer Avenue Merchants Association website

Summer Avenue Merchants Association on Facebook