The project pays homage to the building’s role in the community’s history.
A vacant former high school in a historic Black neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee will be transformed into a community center, library, and senior housing facility that celebrates the building’s historic roots and importance to the community.
In a profile of the project in Fast Company, Nate Berg writes, “The project is part of a $200 million bond package that’s making targeted investments in anchor areas across the city. Despite being empty and unused for more than 40 years, the Melrose School has long been seen by the community as a center and source of pride.”
The project represents “an emerging type of mixed-use development that pairs housing with contextually relevant community amenities.” As Berg explains, “Colocating housing above a library is an approach being taken in other cities, and it’s been shown to be a successful way of spurring community and social engagement.”
Read the full story: In Memphis, a historic Black neighborhood’s centerpiece gets a new life
Madison approves hundreds of affordable apartments as deadline for federal funding looms
A recently approved project will bring 163 affordable units to the north side.
LA approves $2B 'urban village' plan for former cold storage facilities
The project promises an interconnected neighborhood with a focus on public space.
Historic Bank in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Become Mixed-income Housing
The bank redevelopment project is part of a $140 million state affordable housing initiative.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
California’s ‘unrecognizable’ water plan may go down the drain
After four years of regulatory processes, water agencies say the plan to overhaul how cities and farms take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has changed dramatically.
Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.
NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses
Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority