Memphis is poised to adopt a transit plan that promises a big economic splash, but first supporters must sell the general public on a $30 million annual price tag before any transformation occurs.

“Everyone in Memphis has an interest in a good, effective transit system,” said Mayor Jim Strickland, already in promotion mode, “even if you never get on a bus.”

2. New Plans Would Change Memphis Medical District - Tuesday, April 17, 2018

With 27,000 people who either work or attend classes in the Memphis Medical District, and about 375 acres of parking space, something has to give.

Following last week’s release of a reconfigured city bus system plan and a new shuttle system that the Memphis Medical District Collaborative is working on, officials hope to convince 2,500 people to leave their cars at home.

3. Last Word: Mud Island Changes, Zoo Parking and Capitol Hill Revolt On UT Board - Friday, April 13, 2018

This could be your last chance to see the Mississippi River Museum at Mud Island River Park as it has been for about the last 30 years. The park on the southern half of Mud Island opens for the season Saturday. The museum will be open only through July 4 is what is billed as a “limited run” followed by a public engagement process for “reimagining how we tell the story of the Mississippi River in a 21st century way,” according to park general manager Trey Giuntini in a Thursday press release.

4. Bus System Overhaul Would Shift Balance of Service to More Frequency - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Consultants mapping a reconstruction of the city’s bus system are suggesting $30 million more a year in annual city funding for the system and a shift of bus service so that 70 percent of the routes have a higher frequency, reducing wait times during peak hours on major north-south and east-west corridors.

5. Third Memphis TEDx Event Set for Jan. 6 - Tuesday, December 19, 2017

When Hardy Farrow takes the stage in the Halloran Centre at The Orpheum Theatre in a few weeks, it will be to present his argument about poverty and what to do about it.

Farrow – who founded LITE Memphis, which stands for Let’s Innovate Through Education – is one of the speakers who’ll be presenting talks Jan. 6 at TEDxMemphis, which has as its theme this year “The Slant.” The conference will be a chance for speakers like Farrow to share their perspective – their slant, as it were – on the world around them.

6. ‘Catching Up’ - Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Memphis’ desire to land Amazon’s multibillion-dollar second headquarters faces several headwinds. While many critics have pointed to the city’s insufficient labor pool and lack of direct flights to the West Coast as the most likely deal breakers, Memphis lags behind many of the consensus top contenders in another area: connectivity.

7. Bike Month Participants Rewarded With Free Lunch - Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Commute Options Memphis will host a “Park(less) Picnic(more)” party as a culmination of its monthlong slate of activities for National Bike Month.

The event will be held Wednesday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Health Sciences Park, at the corner of Madison Avenue and Dunlap Street, where food from the Fuel and Stickem food trucks will be available.

8. Memphis Commute Challenge Begins in May - Saturday, April 22, 2017

On average, Memphians spend $10,817 per year maintaining a vehicle and driving to work. The Commute Challenge, May 1 to 31, is a monthlong chance to try other commuting options and win prizes.

Employees and teams that join the Commute Challenge use public transit, biking, carpooling and walking to commute to work as often as they choose. Each trip to or from work earns points that qualify participants for commute-related prizes.

9. Memphis Commute Challenge Begins in May - Friday, April 21, 2017

On average, Memphians spend $10,817 per year maintaining a vehicle and driving to work. The Commute Challenge, May 1 to 31, is a monthlong chance to try other commuting options and win prizes.

Employees and teams that join the Commute Challenge use public transit, biking, carpooling and walking to commute to work as often as they choose. Each trip to or from work earns points that qualify participants for commute-related prizes.

10. The Week Ahead: March 20-26 - Monday, March 20, 2017

Happy Monday, Memphis! It’s the first day of spring, and a bounty of social gatherings, government meetings and business events are in bloom. Check out our top picks in The Week Ahead…

11. Leave Your Car Home Event Slated March 22 - Saturday, March 18, 2017

A group of local leaders will host an event Wednesday, March 22, to explore how Memphis can secure dedicated funding that grows and improves the city’s transportation system.

The event, part of the “How To Leave Your Car at Home” series, will be facilitated by Suzanne Carlson of Innovate Memphis, Memphis Area Transit Authority commissioner Andre Gibson, Smart City Memphis’ Tom Jones and John Paul Shaffer of the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis. They will share their thoughts on moving Memphis transit forward.

12. Leave Your Car Home Event Slated March 22 - Friday, March 17, 2017

A group of local leaders will host an event Wednesday, March 22, to explore how Memphis can secure dedicated funding that grows and improves the city’s transportation system.

The event, part of the “How To Leave Your Car at Home” series, will be facilitated by Suzanne Carlson of Innovate Memphis, Memphis Area Transit Authority commissioner Andre Gibson, Smart City Memphis’ Tom Jones and John Paul Shaffer of the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis. They will share their thoughts on moving Memphis transit forward.

13. Commute Options Launches Website - Saturday, February 11, 2017

Commute Options, an initiative of Innovate Memphis to promote transportation choices that improve economic and community health, has launched a website, commuteoptionsmemphis.com. The site provides Memphis-area employers and employees with resources to help them transform their commuting habits.

14. Commute Options Launches Website - Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Commute Options, an initiative of Innovate Memphis to promote transportation choices that improve economic and community health, has launched a website, commuteoptionsmemphis.com. The site provides Memphis-area employers and employees with resources to help them transform their commuting habits.

15. Report: Memphis Trails Peer Cities in Transit Funding - Friday, January 27, 2017

When it comes to public transit funding, Memphis is seriously lagging behind its peer cities, according to a recent report conducted by Innovate Memphis, Livable Memphis and the Greater Memphis Chamber.

16. Zipcar Expands Operations in Memphis With ‘Humility’ - Wednesday, January 18, 2017

A Boston-based car-sharing company recently teamed up with officials at Christian Brothers University to give their students a little “Humility.”

Humility, of course, refers to the gray four-door Ford Focus parked on CBU’s campus that students will be able to reserve for as little as an hour or for multiple days, through Zipcar, a car-sharing service billed as an alternative to both car ownership and traditional rental facilities.

17. Commuter Program Works With Employers to Alleviate Transit Troubles - Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Despite a reinvestment in the development of urban centers across the United States, the average American commute time is still increasing, which is placing a strain on both commuters and their employers.

18. Surface Parking Lots Inhibit Medical Center’s Growth - Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Surface parking lots are a “default land banking” strategy, according to Tommy Pacello, president of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. Often, developers will pave over land with the intention of building something at a later date.

19. Infrastructure, Attitude Shifts Could Decrease Medical District Parking Needs - Wednesday, October 5, 2016

The Memphis Medical District has 16,000 employees, 8,000 students – and 250 acres of surface parking lots. National experts say the district’s parking footprint could hinder further growth.

20. National Experts to Explore Parking, Transit Solutions for City’s Core - Monday, September 26, 2016

Billions of public and private dollars being invested in the urban core of Memphis have civic leaders thinking about long-term transportation and parking solutions that will best serve the area as it evolves.

21. Alternate Transit Options for Beale Street Music Festival - Friday, April 29, 2016

For those who plan to attend the Beale Street Music Festival this weekend but want to avoid the parking hassles, there are other options for getting there.

The festival will feature three new bike rack zones this year, according to Innovate Memphis, at the following entrances that will be marked with signage:

22. Transit Passes Benefit Employers, Workers - Thursday, September 3, 2015

Commuting on public transit just got easier for a few thousand Memphians, thanks to a new bus route between Nonconnah Corporate Center and Airways Transit Center.

Nonconnah’s management requested the bus service, which it sees as an important tool to attract and retain tenants. This public-private experiment in transit will help support new jobs, employee satisfaction, and environmental responsibility.