Impact
Highland Street Improvements Project
Completed in 2022, the Highland Street Improvements Project - Phase 1 invested approximately $6,000,000 in new public infrastructure, including new signalized crosswalks, sidewalks, medians, intersection upgrades, landscaping, utility relocations, and other traffic calming devices. Under direction of the UNDC, planning for the project began in 2019 and included several public meetings to gather input. The UNDC partnered with LRK to develop a vision document (view here.) for the street. Construction began in November 2021 and lasted approximately one year. Further: Highland Street Construction Updates
Photo: Joe Luther
Hospitality Hub Work Local Partnership
In 2018, UNDC partnered with Hospitality Hub to expand the Work Local program to the University District. Work Local is an innovative program designed to improve our community through job access and blight reduction by transporting job-seeking panhandlers to clean-up sites, where they work to reduce urban blight. In exchange, workers are provided a day's wages, a meal, and additional services or counseling as needed.
In collaboration with a diverse set of stakeholders, including The University of Memphis, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, Loeb Properties, and several neighborhood associations, the UNDC is spearheading the project in the University District. The partnership is consistent with UNDC's mission of building a thriving campus and community environment, free of litter and blight.
Walker Avenue Streetscape Enhancements
Walker Avenue runs adjacent to the University of Memphis campus and features several businesses frequented by students. The UNDC wanted streetscape enhancements to encourage pedestrian and bicycle activity while also increasing multimodal safety from passing vehicles.
A2H developed a pedestrian-oriented Master Plan and design for Walker Avenue. Phase 1 of the project covers 820 feet of Walker Avenue. A new pedestrian plaza created a central focal point of the enhanced area. Street-side parking was modified to angled entry to help separate vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Other improvements in the first phase include the replacement of existing sidewalks with ADA access and limitation of curb cuts for easier pedestrian access to businesses.
The UNDC obtained a $529,436 Transportation Enhancement grant from TDOT for this project.