Transforming the University District through streetscapes and walkability

By , Daily Memphian Published: January 27, 2021 4:00 AM CT
<strong>Pedestrians wait for traffic to stop before using the new Highland Strip crosswalk on June 26, 2019.</strong> (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)

Pedestrians wait for traffic to stop before using the new Highland Strip crosswalk on June 26, 2019. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)

When the first crosswalk went across Highland Street in the University District, Cody Fletcher heard from some people angry that traffic was being slowed down.

His response?

There will be more crosswalks. Plus medians. And speed bumps. 

This 31-minute podcast was hosted by Eric Barnes with guest Cody Fletcher, executive director of the University Neighborhoods Development Corporation. It was recorded on Tuesday, Jan. 26, and airs on WYXR on Thursday morning, Jan. 28, at 11:30.

Like what you hear? Subscribe to The Sidebar wherever you get your podcasts and you’ll always have the latest episodes at your fingertips.

That’s because slowing down traffic on Highland in the University District is an essential goal of the University Neighborhoods Development Corporation, of which Fletcher is the executive director.

But Fletcher is focused on much more, including working with developers who want to invest more in the neighborhood, working with lower income residents to make sure they aren’t gentrified out of their homes, and much more. 

Fletcher joined me this week on The Sidebar, which airs every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. on WYXR 91.7. It’s part of a series of shows we’re doing on neighborhoods and livability. Take a listen.

Topics

The Sidebar Podcasts Cody Fletcher University District
Eric Barnes

Eric Barnes

Eric Barnes is CEO of The Daily Memphian, host of Behind the Headlines on WKNO-TV, host of The Sidebar on WYXR 91.7, and the author of four novels.


Comments

Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here