Great Streets Getting Greater

We have a couple quick announcements on new additions to the Great Streets Pilot Project, as well as programming events along the street.

As of today, the free-standing mural wall is in place! Check it out:

The top photograph features the sponsorship thank-you side of the wall. Believe it or not, the artist painted the logos by hand and without stencils.  In the bottom picture you can see the mural side. Every two to three months, the UrbanArt Commission will hire a different artist to create a new mural. This way, the wall will continue to offer something new along the street during the pilot project. The current artwork is from Meredith Olinger, who specializes in custom wall papers. She created several Memphis-themed wall papers, layered them on the wall, and then tore away at them to reveal the various sheets. The wall itself is sponsored by the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

While the intent was to always have built-in benches with the wall, the depth of those benches presents the opportunity that they could double as a small stage for programming and events. We’re working on a couple ideas, but let us know if you have your own!

Speaking of programming, we’ve learned that the Flying Saucer plans to hold tricycle races for customers in the Great Streets cycle track this Friday evening, October 13th, starting at 7:00 Pm. Below is a photo from one of the Saucer’s previous races:

And in case you forgot, here’s the other confirmed programming for the fall:

 

 

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What’s Up with Great Streets?

 

If you’re wondering what’s going on with the Great Streets Pilot Project in Downtown Memphis, today’s your day. We have updates.

As seen above, we’ve drafted a calendar of programming events along the corridor, and have some in the works. Here’s a run down (with links to their Facebook events):

Downtowners Bike to Lunch – Nov. 7 and Dec. 5

Organized by Revolutions Bike CoOp and the Fourth Bluff. Meet at the Cossitt Library at 11:50 for a snail-paced ride to a downtown restaurant, and ride along Great Streets. FREE to attend; per-your-way for lunch.

Games on Wheels – Oct. 5

We’ll convert Peabody Place’s new bike lanes to a race course for an evening and have fun races with tiny bikes and cargo bikes. As an added feature, the Memphis Roller Derby team will also show off their skills. Race with us, or stake out a seat in front of the finish line at the Silly Goose’s patio to take it all in. FREE to attend; per-your-way for drinks at the Silly Goose.

The Circuit Pop-Up Market – Oct. 7 and Oct. 21

Facilitated by EPIcenter Memphis, this small street market features local Memphis vendors and small businesses. The Circuit is from 11 Am to 3 Pm, and can be found at the intersection of Main and Peabody Place.

Freewheel Bike Rides – Oct. 18 and Nov. 8

Freewheel rides are FREE community bike rides that move at a slow pace. You can chat with new friends and take in the sights of Downtown and the Medical Center while coasting along. Freewheel actually has a number of additional rides during the fall, but those highlighted here will take in the Great Streets corridor. All rides start and stop at 600 Monroe Ave.

E-Bike Demonstration – Oct. 20

Visit with staff from The Peddler Bike Shop at the intersection of Main and Peabody Place during lunch and take a FREE test ride on an e-bike (electric-assist bicycle). Stop by anytime from 11:30 Am to 1:30 Pm.

Bikes and Yoga – Nov. 12

Be active and relax in one afternoon! We’ll take a leisurely spin around Downtown by bike, and finish in front of the Silly Goose, where Downtown Yoga will lead a 30-minute yoga session. To round it out, we’ll hang out at the Silly Goose afterwards for drinks. FREE to attend; per-your-way for drinks at the Silly Goose.

 

Continue to check here and on Facebook page from time to time for updates on new programming events.

Aside from programming, the UrbanArt Commission will be installing its mural wall on October 10th. This will be located to the west of the Silly Goose. The UAC will commission an artist every few months during the pilot project to install a new mural.

Additionally, after monitoring the design’s performance over the first three months of the project, we’re about to undertake some design changes in response to those observations as well as the feedback we’ve received. More on that to come!