Architecture and Our Youth: 2012 Design Competition

In honor of National Preservation Month, May 2012

Sponsored by the Art Center

Deadline for Entries :             

Friday, April 6, 2012, 4 pm

Opening Reception :              

Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 6:00 pm, Memphis Heritage at Howard Hall, 2282 Madison

Exhibit :                                   

May 2012, Memphis Heritage at Howard Hall

Memphis Heritage, Inc. and AIA Memphis are proud to announce the 6th Architecture and Our Youth Design Competition for 4th - 12th grade level youth in Shelby County. Participants are asked to explore historic buildings and spaces around them through an art medium of their choice. In addition, an essay is submitted describing how the individual responds to the art emotionally and/or physically. Winners in each division receive prizes during the opening reception and will have their artwork on exhibit along with their written responses during May 2012. The goal of this exhibit is to communicate through images and words how our youth respond to the built environment.

FOR ALL THE DETAILS CLICK HERE

Please support the planned development at Overton Square    

Memphis Heritage has been a supporter for the right kind of redevelopment of Overton Square. 

We believe the Loeb Properties' plan is what is needed to see a revitalized Overton Square.

Please show your support by clicking on the link below to sign a petition to Mayor Wharton and the Memphis City Council.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/SupportOvertonSquare/
 

Join us in urging Mayor Wharton's administration and City Council members to vote FOR this important investment in the future of Memphis.

The purpose of the City Council funding is threefold:

1) To build a parking garage to serve existing businesses there today.
2) To implement a flood detention basin which will address the costly flooding of Lick Creek.
3) To install streetscape and traffic improvements that will beautify Overton Square Theatre Arts District and connect it to the larger Midtown neighborhood.

Full funding of the project will result in:

* Creation of new jobs, new economic activity, and new tax revenues.
* Alleviation of flooding issues for Memphis residents.
* Creating a win-win for existing and new businesses in the Overton Square Theatre Arts District.

The garage & streetscape costs $8 million and the Lick Creek detention basin costs $8.2 million. Both will be owned by the City of Memphis.

With the parking garage, Overton Square will be reborn as a dynamic theater arts district. Loeb Properties plans to invest $19.2 million in the redevelopment of Overton Square. The existing buildings will be preserved and renovated, new buildings will be built, public spaces will be redesigned and upgraded, and Hattiloo Theatre hopes to relocate on-site and join Playhouse on the Square, Circuit Playhouse, Theater Works, and Studio on the Square. Together, these developments will increase the likelihood of a new hotel and other commercial development in the district.

Lick Creek flooding is the number one flooding concern in the City of Memphis and affects approximately 4,400 households. $8.2 million will build a detention basin that holds 1 million cubic feet of water. Locating the detention basin in Overton Square is the key to alleviating the threat to these homes without digging up the Overton Park greensward. If it is not built before the Overton Square commercial development is up and running the opportunity will be lost.

Currently, the Overton Square parking lot is used by many neighboring businesses. After Loeb's planned redevelopment, this flat-surface parking lot will not be sufficient to service the new Overton Square and surrounding businesses. In order for the Overton Square development to be a success for stakeholders and neighbors, increased parking is justified and necessary.

With this vote city government has an important opportunity to transform the heart of Memphis, to address the persistent flooding, and to strengthen the Midtown tax base that is critical to the financial health of City of Memphis. It is imperative that Memphis makes the most of every opportunity to create new economic energy, new jobs, and to produce revenues from a growing economy.

The previous plan for Overton Square (by Sooner Development Corp.) met with widespread opposition for its disregard to the area's history and the neighborhood's interest in preserving the existing buildings. Loeb Properties' subsequent plan was developed as a result of public meetings with stakeholders in the area, from public input regarding the company's plans, and in conferring with city government officials. From this process, Loeb Properties created its thoughtful plan for an Overton Square that pays tribute to its past while shaping a new, vibrant future.

Loeb Properties seeks collaboration with the City of Memphis to build the parking garage for the neighborhood and its redevelopment. In addition, the company has agreed that the flood detention facility can be added to the garage's design.

We need to demonstrate our support for the Overton Square redevelopment to our city elected officials.

Our annual campaign, in full swing right now, is essential to the bottom line of Memphis Heritage.  We have a dollar-for-dollar matching grant currently, and look to you for your support!  Imagine-a $250.00 donation would bring us $500.00 during this campaign. 

For 35 years Memphis Heritage has been the foremost advocate for preserving historic buildings and neighborhoods in our City.  We provide education on the amazing narrative of Memphis’ history and partner with others to preserve and improve the physical buildings, streets, and neighborhoods where it all took place.  These historic neighborhoods are now home to new residents and families who come to the home of Memphis Heritage, Howard Hall, for educational and fundraising events and to hold community discussions.  They are supported by the members and supporters of Memphis Heritage and by the many resources and programs developed and presented by Memphis Heritage over the past 35 years.

We are organized.  We are neighborhood partners.  We support new ideas for a better City.  If it is time to renew your membership, please do so.  If you have never been a member, please consider the many benefits. 

Below are just some of the benefits that Memphis Heritage brings to our community

ü      Howard Hall as a Community Asset and Resource

ü      Preservation of historic buildings and artifacts from historic residences.

ü      Providing valuable internships to local college students

ü      Neighborhood Histories and Advocacy

ü      Annual Preservation and Educational Series

ü      Grants and Sponsorships including “Memphis Memoirs: Overton Square”

ü      History presentations to students including the “Then and Now” series

ü      Photography collections including “Don Newman’s Memphis”

ü      Keystone newsletter

To donate, simply CLICK HERE