By: Jerald Harris \ MicroMemphis Reporter
An event set for April 13 is designed to help residents of the University District envision what the future of the intersection of Highland and Walker could look like.
The University Neighborhoods Development Corporation along with the University District Business Association, the University District Incorporated and the Mayor’s Innovation Team will host a MemFix event. The one-day event will last from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
MemFix events encourage new ways to think about streetscapes, activate vacant spaces in neighborhoods and encourage neighborhood growth. At this year’s event there will be some crosswalks temporarily installed at the Highland/Walker cross-section to make it more pedestrian friendly. Pop-up businesses will fill vacant storefronts. Music and activities for people of all ages will take place on the sidewalks of the University District.
The University Neighborhoods Development Corporation along with the University District Business Association, the University District Incorporated and the Mayor’s Innovation Team will host a MemFix event. The one-day event will last from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
MemFix events encourage new ways to think about streetscapes, activate vacant spaces in neighborhoods and encourage neighborhood growth. At this year’s event there will be some crosswalks temporarily installed at the Highland/Walker cross-section to make it more pedestrian friendly. Pop-up businesses will fill vacant storefronts. Music and activities for people of all ages will take place on the sidewalks of the University District.
The first site for MemFix was on Broad Street titled “A New Face for an Old Broad” in November 2010. The second MemFix event was held on Cleveland Street to transform the two-block area from Overton Park to Galloway into a vibrant urban marketplace with local businesses and more than 50 merchants and 8,000 people participated in this living planning workshop.
Community Redevelopment Liaison Leah Dawkins said that one of the goals of this MemFix Event is to show how vibrant the Highland Walker neighborhood can be. The goal is to attract more businesses to the Highland Walker business district as well as attract new development.
“In the long run, if this event goes as planned, we are planning follow-up events on a regular basis in the business district. These will be on a smaller scale, but with the purpose of bringing continued attention and activity to the district,” Dawkins said.
Thomas Pacello, a member of the Mayor’s Innovation Team, coordinates the MemFix events and provides support for the neighborhoods.
“We just want to show the prototype of a new neighborhood, how it can look just for one weekend, and encourage new businesses to move to the area,” Pacello said.
Future MemFix events are in the works. The next one will be in the South Memphis area in the fall. For the University District, if this particular event works, another MemFix event would be in the works for the South corner of Southern and Semmes in the Messic Buntyn neighborhood.
“It has all the bones of a super cute little business strip, but hasn’t gotten any love for a long time,” Dawkins said.
Community Redevelopment Liaison Leah Dawkins said that one of the goals of this MemFix Event is to show how vibrant the Highland Walker neighborhood can be. The goal is to attract more businesses to the Highland Walker business district as well as attract new development.
“In the long run, if this event goes as planned, we are planning follow-up events on a regular basis in the business district. These will be on a smaller scale, but with the purpose of bringing continued attention and activity to the district,” Dawkins said.
Thomas Pacello, a member of the Mayor’s Innovation Team, coordinates the MemFix events and provides support for the neighborhoods.
“We just want to show the prototype of a new neighborhood, how it can look just for one weekend, and encourage new businesses to move to the area,” Pacello said.
Future MemFix events are in the works. The next one will be in the South Memphis area in the fall. For the University District, if this particular event works, another MemFix event would be in the works for the South corner of Southern and Semmes in the Messic Buntyn neighborhood.
“It has all the bones of a super cute little business strip, but hasn’t gotten any love for a long time,” Dawkins said.
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