Over the past year, the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) has partnered with the City of Memphis and Shelby County to host a series of three public visioning meetings focused on the future of the Pinch district. Development potential in the district provides a unique opportunity to create a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood that will help connect major assets including St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Bass Pro Shops, and the Cook Convention Center that are now divided by the interstate.
Significant redevelopment is anticipated in the Pinch district over the next several years, however work can begin immediately to improve walkability and pedestrian connections within the area. A key finding from the recent public input sessions is that the underpass at I-40 remains a significant physical and psychological barrier to pedestrians accessing the Pinch from the south. As a result of this, DMC is partnering with the UrbanArt Commission (UAC) to commission an art installation that improves the pedestrian experience between Downtown and the Pinch and encourage Downtown residents and visitors to patronize local businesses and assets in the Pinch.
PROJECT TIMELINE
- May 12, 2017 Release RFQ
- June 9, 2017 RFQ deadline
- June 19, 2017 Notify finalist artists
- June 26, 2017 Release RFP
- July 24, 2017 RFP deadline + Interview finalists
- August 2017 Commission artist
PROJECT BUDGET
- Project Budget $168,500; Design $33,700; Fabrication $134,800, all-inclusive.
- Up to three finalists will receive a $1,500 honorarium for a design proposal.
- View rules, guidelines and submission details at
View more details at https://www.urbanartcommission.org/open-projects/i-40-underpass–request-for-qualifications/