A new website with updates on the Memphis Aerotropolis Master Plan is up and running. The Aerotropolis Master Plan focuses on a 50-square mile study area surrounding the Memphis International Airport called Airport City. The Airport City area encompasses some of the city’s struggling businesses, neighborhoods, and commercial and retail centers. The web address for the new site is www.memphisaeroplan.com.
The website details the steps taken by project consultants to create the Master Plan, which is being developed with input from community leaders and business owners in the study area. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Memphis Division of Planning and Development have partnered through the FY 2010 HUD Community Challenge Grants Program to fund the Master Plan.
“Launching the website will give us a great opportunity to publicize what is going on with the project, because it is imperative that we redevelop Airport City not only to simulate the Memphis economy, but also to create new economic opportunities for the region,” said Chad Bowman, Aerotropolis Project Manager.
The goal is to develop a coordinated Master Plan of action that can provide a comprehensive guide for future development of the Memphis Airport City with recommendations relating to market strategy, land use and urban design. The Master Plan will also identify opportunities to create new housing opportunities, a sustainable number of new businesses and jobs for an improved quality of life for Memphians as well as Mid-Southerners.
The website is complete with data, graphics, photographs, surveys and aerial views of neighborhoods and communities in the study area. For easy navigation, information can be obtained by clicking one of several tabs: Home, Overview, Library, News, Events and Contact. Under Home, for example, you’ll find a video presentation and a question: “What is the Memphis Aerotropolis?” Also you’ll find a series of photographs from six listening tour sites under the Events tab.
“We are still gathering public input,” said Bowman. “So if anyone is interested in learning more about the project or providing input through their group or organization, please feel free to contact me, and I will make myself available.”
Bowman can be reached at 901.636.7160 or by email at chad.bowman@memphistn.gov.
The Aerotropolis Master Plan, once fully implemented, will transform Memphis into a competitive, logistics and distribution and bio life sciences capital of commerce that will benefit the entire Mid-South Region. Please visit the website and buckle your seat belts as we prepare for take-off,Memphis.