Building Together: City of Memphis Weekly Newsletter

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On this 901-Day weekend I just wanted to share a little love letter to my city. 

I grew up in Memphis - in Oakhaven - and after high school, I had the chance to leave for a few years, but I came back because I knew my future was here. And, now,  every day, I wake up excited to do the work needed to make sure more of us see Memphis as the greatest city on the planet. 

Why am I so optimistic about Memphis? Why am I all in?

I could mention the obvious: Memphis is home to three Fortune 500 companies and will soon be home to xAI’s supercomputer. 

I could mention that the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in our city has birthed multiple musical genres, inspired hundreds of songs, cured diseases, and made guaranteed overnight delivery a reality for the entire planet. 

I could mention that through a lot of collaborative work, crime is on the decline - down 13% year to date. Or that beauty is on the rise, with more investment in green spaces, community centers, and neighborhoods. 

I could mention the National Civil Rights Museum or Stax. I could mention Crosstown or Leftwich. I could mention Shelby Farms or Tom Lee Park. And all of those award-winning, headline-making attractions would be reason enough to love my city. 

I could list menu items from the Four Way, Alcenia’s, Gus’s, Rendezvous, City Silo, Catherine and Mary’s, Majestic Grille, Cozy Corner, Mempops, or Central BBQ. And all of you would agree. Well, maybe not on who has the best Memphis BBQ, but you would agree that Memphis has the best food - including BBQ. 

But the main reason I am so in on Memphis is all of you. 

Every day, I get the opportunity to work alongside - and advocate for - the best people on the planet. 

Every day, someone stops me to tell me an idea they have about how we can better help our youth, or curtail fast drivers, or clean up our streets, or save more animals in the animal shelter. 

And every day, I listen. And I take those ideas back to the team. 

Because I recognize that when you share those things, it means YOU are all in.

It means you haven’t given up on Memphis being the greatest city on the planet. 

Happy 901-Day. 

Watch my 901 Day love letter to Memphis video here.

Bonuses for Retirees! The City of Memphis is pleased to announce that all retirees will receive a one-time bonus of $3000, to be distributed on August 30, 2024. This bonus is given in recognition of the dedicated service provided by the retirees to the City and its citizens over the years prior to their retirement. Read more here. 

Weekly Crime Trend

The report below provides our weekly update on Part 1 Crimes. It updates daily and shows a continuous rolling 7-day total compared to the prior 7-day total. The charts on the right show the calendar week trend, comparing 2023 to 2024.

(We maintain two crime dashboards, the Weekly Crime Trend report can be found here, and the Crime Analytics dashboard can be accessed here.)

Our Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38104, 38106, 38108, 38111, 38114.

Social and Community Shout-outs:

901 Day. Join us on Sunday, September 1, 2024 from 11am-5:30pm on Fourth and Beale! We will be celebrating all things Memphis with live performances, family friendly activities, special guests, and so much more! See full line up and more details here.

Small Business Mixer. Join Councilwoman Pearl Walker for a Small Business Mixer to connect local entrepreneurs on Thursday, September 5th, at Southbrook Town Centre. See full details here.

MAS Adoption. To celebrate 901 day, MAS has lowered adoption fees to $9.01 from today, August 31 through Sunday, September 1. See full details here. 

USTA Honor. Tennis Memphis traveled to the US Open and Leftwich Tennis Center received the "Facility of the Year" Award from the USTA. See full details and share here. 

Weekly round-up

in partnership and progress,

Paul A. Young