Author: Smart City Memphis

In a city where consensus is about as scarce as Grizzlies’ victories, the plan for a skatepark on Mud Island is about as close as it gets.From the inception of the idea, the skatepark has amassed an impressive group of...

The double standard of Concerned Citizens of Shelby County is mind-boggling.The organization founded by Germantown resident John Lunt in 2004 to demand a charter commission to review the Memphis city charter and correct a set of...

We thought you might enjoy this fascinating look at the impact and future of blogs. Ignore them at your peril. To read the Business Week article, click here.

It’s often been said that there’s no Republican or Democratic way to pick up the garbage.Apparently, that also applies to reaching agreement with Bass Pro Shop. It appears that a liberal Democratic City Councilman – Shea Flinn –...

This week’s Smart City is an encore presentation of a show that first aired June 29, 2006.How can the design of physical space and public policy encourage creativity and high performance? We put that question to our guests...

It’s always easy in Memphis to know that four years have passed. Willie W. Herenton takes another oath of office as mayor and announces that consolidation is a top priority.Five oaths of office later and in spite of his periodic...

Charter schools just got a late Valentine from state government.It came in the form of an encouraging 40-page report by the highly respected Comptroller of the Treasury John Morgan. The report called for loosening state...

Obviously, we think blogs are important. We wouldn’t devote this much time and energy to our little corner of the digital world if we thought otherwise.Blogs increase understanding, encourage conversation and contribute to the...

In answer to a question by Bob, we’ve re-read the contract between Memphis and Shelby County Governments, and here’s the short answer:The contract with the Memphis Grizzlies is not an impediment to development of The...

The redevelopment of riverfronts has been one of the drivers of urban revitalization in many U.S. cities. This week’s guests are working to bring new life to two of those riverfronts.Benny Lendermon is leading the effort...