Memphian Tom Graves’s Latest Book: White Boy, A Memoir
The title, White Boy¸ seems to leap off the cover of Memphis Tom Graves’ latest book, but the story inside is even more attention-grabbing than that. It begins: I am...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 31, 2019 | Arts and Culture
The title, White Boy¸ seems to leap off the cover of Memphis Tom Graves’ latest book, but the story inside is even more attention-grabbing than that. It begins: I am...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 29, 2019 | City of Memphis Government, Parks and Greening
Decades ago, Memphis acted often on the low expectations that translated into an “it’s good enough for Memphis” attitude. Today, many years later, the impact of this disregard,...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 27, 2019 | Uncategorized
We’ve been re-reading one of our favorite histories of Memphis – Memphis During the Progressive Era 1900-1917 by William D. Miller (1957) – and we’re always struck...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 24, 2019 | City of Memphis Government, Neighborhoods, Planning and Urban Design
The foundation on which Memphis 3.0, the first comprehensive plan for the city in more than 40 years, is built on data. Earlier this month, we posted one group of interesting...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 22, 2019 | Civil Rights, Criminal Justice, Poverty
There was a time when it burst on the scene 37 years ago that Mid-South Peace and Justice Center was considered radical in its advocacy for the poor and...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
Neighborhood Preservation Inc. and Pigeon Roost media will co-host a screening of Chapter Two from their upcoming documentary about blight in Memphis from 6 to 8 pm tonight, Monday, May 20, at The Stax Museum of American Soul...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 17, 2019 | City of Memphis Government, Neighborhoods, Planning and Urban Design
The foundation on which Memphis 3.0, the first comprehensive plan for the city in more than 40 years, is built is data. Earlier this month, we posted some of...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 15, 2019 | Planning and Urban Design, Poverty
Note: This graphic is not from City Observatory. Joe Cortright is President and principal economist of Impresa, a consulting firm specializing in...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 13, 2019 | City of Memphis Government, Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development, Livability, Parks and Greening, Planning and Urban Design
After reviewing the 20 riverfront plans issued since 1987, prominent city planner, urban designer, and author Jeff Speck said it best: “The potentially easiest win on the...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 10, 2019 | Uncategorized
This post is written by Jimmie Covington, veteran Memphis reporter with lengthy experience covering governmental, school, and demographic...
Read Moreby Bill Day. Memphian Bill Day is two-time winner of the RFK Journalism Award in Cartooning. His cartoons are syndicated internationally by Cagle Cartoons. Cartoons Archive →
Since 2005, this has been Smart City Consulting’s blog with the aim of connecting the dots and providing perspective on issues and policies shaping Memphis. Editor and primary author is Tom Jones, columnist, author of two books, and consultant on public policy. Smart City Memphis was called one of the most intriguing blogs in the U.S. by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal wrote that “Smart City Memphis provides some of the most well-thought-out thinking about Memphis’ past, present, and future you’ll find anywhere,” and the Memphis Flyer said: “This incredibly well-written blog sets out to solves the city’s ills – from the mayor to MATA – with out-of-the-box thinking, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ideas. If you have questions, submissions, or ideas for posts, please email Tom Jones, at tjones@smartcityconsulting.com.