Memphis Business Journal
(9/5/2014 8:45 AM, Madeline Faber)

The Mid-South Regional Greenprint has released their 2015/2040 draft plan, a result of an over $2.5 million Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant donated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The 25-year plan was designed by the Memphis & Shelby County Office of Sustainability and guided by the Mid-South Regional Greenprint Consortium. The 106-page document covers a wide array of issues unique to municipalities in Shelby, Fayette, Desoto and Crittenden: income, transportation, employment, parks and open spaces. The plans are described as "engines of change that boast an array of enticing economic benefits, support environmental revitalization, promote healthy behaviors, and connect our multi-state communities." The plan puts forth a plan to increase accessibility to green infastructure, such as greenlines and safe bike lanes. According to the document, if the Concept Map were "implemented today, 79% of the region’s jobs would be within one mile of a Greenprint corridor."

Such a network would increase access to marginal communities. The plan also puts forth initiatives for increased community gardens, redevelopment of neighborhoods, fair housing choices, resource conservation, and increased green industry jobs.