Placemaking
Placemaking is the process of working collaboratively to create quality public spaces that contribute to people’s health, happiness, and connection to place. MMDC works with neighborhood stakeholders to ensure that it is improving the quality of public spaces within the Medical District.
Health Sciences Park
Since 2016, MMDC has worked in collaboration with owner Memphis Greenspace to improve and activate the District’s largest greenspace, Health Sciences Park, in ways that engaged residents, employees, students, and visitors. From general improvements and events to public art installations, MMDC provided diverse opportunities for connection and activity in the park.
Visit the Health Sciences Park page to learn more.
Treedom
Project completed in 2018
An art installation designed by Parisian architectural firm Atelier YokYok made its U.S. debut in June in a vacant lot in Memphis.
The Memphis Medical District Collaboration (MMDC), in collaboration with ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and other neighborhood partners brought "Treedom" to life.
"Treedom Memphis" mimicked forests and the city's tree canopy and combined art with a functional community space. It was used for hosting live performances, yoga classes, or for a meal or community meeting. The installation also included an original work by local artist Cat Peña, landscaping enhancements, artistic enhancements by Memphis-based The Artist Commons.
The project committee, comprised of Uptown Partnership, residents, businesses, BRIDGES, ALSAC, Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) and Peña, worked to make sure the installation represents the neighborhood and Memphis. Other partners include the Urban Art Commission, the Downtown Memphis Commission, Jones Urban Development and Neighborhood Preservation Inc.
The first "Treedom" installation was created in a music festival in Budapest, Hungary.
Excerpt taken from original article posted in Memphis Business Journal on 5/22/18 by Elle Perry.
Edge Triangle
Project completed in 2017
In collaboration with Memphis College of Art (MCA), University of Memphis Design Studio (UMDC), the Edge Neighborhood Association, and the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC), the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) repurposed an underused strip of greenspace now known as Edge Triangle.
Today, Edge Triangle is a vibrant space accessible to residents, students, and employees of the Memphis Medical District. On any given day, one might see people taking their dogs to the off-leash area, rearranging moveable seating for lunch, or playing the sound wave instrument.
To learn more, please download the case study of this project.
LIVABILITY CAMPAIGN: SAY HELLO
In 2017, the MMDC introduced the District to its “Say Hello” campaign. Signage, benches, and installations were unveiled throughout the District to help provide a sense of place for the District and to be more welcoming to employees, students, residents, and visitors.