Author: Smart City Memphis

Memphis’ success in the knowledge economy depends largely on the presence of young, highly mobile, highly educated workers. We don’t have them now, and the bad news for us is that for cities, the rich get richer and...

It’s been a long time since we’ve knocked around in one of those big, spooky, abandoned buildings that captivated us as kids. Today, we visited its virtual version – The Pyramid. It exudes the same uncared for...

Inspired by the Memphis Flyer’s cover story of a few weeks ago, we asked you the same question:What would you do if you were in charge of Memphis?Thanks to those of you who took the time to comment.Here’s a few of your...

We suspect that the Shelby County Board of Commissioners isn’t seriously going to hold up the county budget to get the attention of Shelby County Schools, but it was past time for the county legislators to send the message...

Some days, it seems like “Every Child, Every Day, College Bound” isn’t the most appropriate operating motto for Memphis City Schools.Instead, Pogo’s immortal words might seem more apt: “We have met the enemy and he is us.” That...

This week on Smart City are people who have big plans for transforming their cities. Ned Hill is the Vice President of Economic Development at Cleveland State. He’s combining the Cleveland area’s history, talent and...

  In a blog from three years ago, we wrote: “Although the city mayor has now taken himself out of the picture, the committee he convened has turned its attention to school funding. If it really wants to accomplish...

We’ve received several emails asking our opinion of Memphis Mayor Willie W. Herenton’s latest magniloquence.Well, we might as well admit it: We didn’t read about it, we didn’t watch any television reports about it and we didn’t...

Can Tuesday get here soon enough?The dawning of the Kriner Cash era at Memphis City Schools would be reason enough for hopeful thinking, but with the current disarray and chaos at Memphis City Schools, expectations are so low...

We’re continuing the discussion we began Wednesday and hope you’ll join in.Inspired by the Memphis Flyer’s cover story of two weeks ago, we want to know how you would answer this question:What would you do if...