What’s Next for Tom Lee Park? Q&A
Last month, Memphis River Parks Partnership shared an update on Tom Lee Park’s design process and published the completed schematic design. The design and approval process can be complex — your questions answered below!
What does “schematic design” mean? And what’s the next step in the design process?
The design process goes through three phases before final construction documents are produced: concept, schematic design, and design development.
- Concept design lays out the broad outline of function, form, and general elements of the space based on a clearly defined program.
- Schematic design takes that process one step further and determines the areas, physical requirements, and relationships among these elements.
- Design development generally outlines specific sizes, materials, and sections along with preliminary structural, mechanical, and electrical drawings.
The project is currently entering design development. The plan released to date is the completed schematic design.
What’s the approval process?
Mayor Strickland’s mediation agreement laid out specific requirements and specifications for the park design and was signed by the Partnership, Memphis in May and the City of Memphis. The agreement also appointed a Riverfront Steering Committee, chaired by the city’s Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowen to monitor the plans for compliance with the agreement. The committee includes representatives from the City of Memphis, as well as observers from Memphis in May and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The schematic design has been approved by this committee, and the committee will continue to approve the plans at each step of the way.
In addition to the approval of the Riverfront Steering Committee, the design will pass through regular city permitting procedures as well as Section 408 permitting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
When will construction begin?
The northern entrance to the park — Vance Park and the Cutbank Bluff — is in the final permitting process with groundbreaking anticipated by January. The park’s ground plane — essentially everything west of Riverside Drive — is being left open for an anticipated Memphis in May 2021 before construction begins following the festival’s conclusion.
How can I support?
The riverfront is owned by all of us together. It’s going to take all of us, together, to make it happen. You can learn how to become a Visionary or one-time donor at tomleepark.org/support.
