Historic District leaders worried about Memphis 3.0 Plan

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - The Memphis 3.0 Plan is almost complete and neighborhood leaders are worried about what the plan will mean for Memphis' historic districts.

For 2 years, the City of Memphis has worked on the 3.0 plan. It is a 20-year comprehensive guide to lead the city into its third century of existence.

Leaders from all of Memphis' 16 historic districts met Sunday at the Memphis Heritage headquarters over concerns of a map, called the future land use map, in the 3.0 plan.

"When you say future land use map, it scares people. So this was a talk it out meeting for different neighborhoods to come, learn a little bit more," said Memphis Heritage Executive Director June West

They say a future land use map could change which construction projects are approved in a neighborhood and forever change the things that make historic districts special.

This includes the Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood, where Suzy Askew lives.

"A wonderful neighborhood to live in. And everyone there contributes and yet the 3.0 plan divides it into 2 districts right down the middle," said Askew.

Askew and other Historic Neighborhood Alliance members want the classifications on the 3.0 plan's future land use map to be removed and determined later, when residents have more input.

"We question dividing us into two districts when we're one neighborhood," said Askew.

The Historic Neighborhood Alliance wants to be clear that they support the 3.0 plan overall and it's promise to improve transportation and much more.

"It's a great plan. It's got great things in it and it's well past due," said West.

They are urging Memphians to send their comments to the 3.0 plan website, since the plan will be sent to the Land Use Control Board who will send it to the city council for approval.

"These public comments that we're making online to the 3.0 site are the last chance we have to affect the plan," said Askew.

If you have any input for the Memphis 3.0 team about what you want to see in the plan, click here.

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