A Little Context for the Crosstown Development
Here's a a Google Maps version of the Crosstown development (aka "Midtown Memphis") overlays, as seen in the Memphis Flyer.Practically everything I've heard and seen about the development looks, sounds positive. I wonder about the northern approach, the Poplar/Watkins gateway, however. It appears to be a entire block of street exposed parking. They've talked about rooftop parking, so hopefully that's what going on here. A building flush with the sidewalk at that corner would
- provide an architectural advertisement for their work, on one of Memphis' busiest thoroughfares. We zoom past parking lots all the time. A building on that corner would be a unique herald of the changes inside. An exciting invitation inside for both cars coming up and down Poplar, and walkers coming from Vollintine and Evergreen. Parking lots do not invite.
- help restore physical, visual and even social continuity between Evergreen and the development in the Washington Bottoms.
- increase not only the area's walkability, but also its walk-to-ability and walk-from-ability.
Labels: architecture, Crosstown, development, geo:lat=35.142439, geo:lon=-90.013665, geotagged, Memphis, placemaking, real estate, redevelopment, urban planning
posted by gatesofmemphis at 10:15 PM
4 Comments:
I currently shop at the Kroger on Poplar and Cleveland, so I am very interested to see what they end up doing in that area. I am also anxiously awaiting the plans for the Crosstown Sears building, a building I absolutely love and hope to see used in a way that keeps the existing building, but finds uses which will benefit all Midtowners, not just ones with larger pocketbooks. A Target, or something like a Target but that is NOT WalMart would be cool, I think, too.
Last of all, love your photos.
Next to last, the Sears Crosstown is an incredible building, especially standing between North Parkway and Galloway and looking up at the tower. A magnificent cathedral! People want to be in that building.
ikea, roller derby rink, memphis' version of the city museum...such potential in that big ol' building!
walkability is key.
last week i was in laurelwood shopping center thinking how nice it would be to be able to stroll from davis kidd to david lusk to dinstuhls without all that damn parking. it just screams, get in your car and drive twenty feet.
My grandma worked in the Sears building for something like 20 years, and she even gave me a photo they gave her of its construction (http://flickr.com/photos/amiev/34620975/in/set-755206). I am about to figure out a way to break into the building to photograph it before they do revitalize it. I've photographed the outside of it a bunch, so now it's time to get in there. :) And thanks again. :)
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