Livable Memphis to highlight New City Builders

On Monday, August 29, Livable Memphis and the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis will celebrate the accomplishments of the second cohort participating in their New City Builders program. Launched in 2015, the New City Builders program equips new leaders in the local community development industry with the knowledge, skills and connections necessary to re-build Memphis neighborhoods. 
 
Current program participants will hold a panel discussion on their plans and vision for neighborhood-based development and community revitalization in Memphis at Livable Memphis’ monthly ‘Pizza with Planners’ convening. The event will be held from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Highland Branch Library located at 405 Highland Ave.
 
“We are excited for people to hear from the next generation of Community Development Corporation (CDC) executive directors and planning managers,” said John Paul Shaffer, Program Director of Livable Memphis.
 
“Our New City Builders are currently on the front lines of re-building Memphis neighborhoods and making our city more livable and sustainable. It will be exciting to watch their progression and to witness what they will do next.”
 
Over the course of six months, program participants engage in field and course work focused on community development, planning workshops, neighborhood tours, experiential learning activities, and relationship building with industry peers and partners – all requirements for program completion. The New City Builders were each recommended for program inclusion by the current Directors of the community development organizations that they work for and represent, including: Habitat for Humanity, United Housing, Inc., Alcy Ball Development Corporation, Pigeon Roost CDC, and The Stone CDC.
 
On Monday, Livable Memphis aims to start a conversation between residents interested in redeveloping and improving their neighborhoods and the New City Builders who can and will very likely be the individuals leading the charge to strengthen Memphis as a core city in years to come. 
 
Discussion topics will include blight, revitalization projects, housing, economic development, and more. Pizza with Planners is a free public event, but registration is strongly encouraged – visit livablememphis.org to RSVP.