New design guidelines considered by the Downtown Memphis Commission for its Design Review Board
The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) board is scheduled to vote on Friday, Feb. 28, on whether or not to adopt new design guidelines for DMC-supported projects.
The directives were created by Ohio-based MKSK and Memphis-based Self + Tucker Architects. The guidelines have new areas of focus, are more streamlined, and are updated for a post-pandemic world.
"The former design guidelines have served their purpose since their last adoption in 2013," a DMC memo states. "However, with a total length of over 180 pages, an opportunity existed to revise and shorten the document to provide clear direction to property owners and incentive applicants about the type and quality of development that our community expects. A shorter document, with an emphasis on pictures and illustrations over long paragraphs of text, will be an improvement for all users."
The design guidelines direct one of the DMC's affiliated boards, the Design Review Board (DRB). The DRB is comprised of area designers and architects who give the final okay for projects that receive a DMC incentive, such as a grant or PILOT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes). The DRB voted unanimously to approve the new guidelines in December.