The Building Beat

Ep. 26 Inside the Division Spotlight Series: Sustainability Planner

Producer Breana Miller interviews Sustainability Planner Logan Landry about her role within the Office of Sustainability and Resilience, how her previous internship with the department made way for her current role, what types of projects she works on with her colleagues, and how data measurement and tracking are essential to providing informed recommendations and suggestions within government. Have any questions for Logan? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 25 Mapping the Future Together, Part 2

Host Nicholas Wardroup interviews zoning consultants Arista Strungys and Chris Jennette of Camiros about their collaborative work with division staff planners for the Unified Development Code (UDC) update. They bring their collective decades of experience working with other planning departments across the country to informing recomendations on changes in written zoning guidance and explanations here in Memphis and Shelby County. Arista and Chris share how they find satisfaction in helping municipalities simplify zoning for their residents and prepare for future development and growth. This episode is the second part in a two-part series about the Unified Development Code (UDC) update and adoption process. Have questions for Nicholas, Arista, or Chris? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 24 The Mission Continues

Host Nicholas Wardroup sits down with the Division’s new Director, Brett Ragsdale, for a wide‑ranging conversation about his vision for the Division and what’s ahead for the team. Drawing on his experience as Zoning Administrator, Brett talks about the opportunities he sees in this next chapter and highlights how each department’s work supports our shared mission of people-centered, community-focused public service. Together, they offer an inside look at the Division’s priorities, upcoming initiatives, and the ongoing effort to strengthen neighborhoods across Memphis and Shelby County. Have questions for Brett or Nicholas? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 23 Mapping the Future Together, Part 1

Host Nicholas Wardroup interviews Comprehensive Planning Administrator Christina Edingbourgh and Project Manager Isaac Bacon about infusing community voice into land use planning in Memphis and the upcoming Unified Development Code update affecting Shelby County. They discuss the differences between the future land use map and the zoning map and how their work is considering the future of Memphis and Shebly County. This episode is the first part in a two-part series about the upcoming Unified Development Code (UDC) update and adoption process. Have questions for Nicholas, Christina, or Issac? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode. Memphis 3.0 website: www.memphis3point0.com [https://www.memphis3point0.com] Unified Development Code (UDC) Update website: https://www.901udcupdate.com/ [https://www.901udcupdate.com/]

Ep. 22 Public Parks with a Hidden Purpose

Host Nicholas Wardroup interviews Office of Sustainability & Resilience (OSR) Administrator Leigh Huffman Moyer and Shelby County Department of Housing Planning and Programs Manager Dana Sjostrom about recent improvements made to parks in Memphis and Millington that were heavily affected by the historic regional flooding in 2011. Updating park infrastructure involved working with community and government stakeholders on engineering and design, having publich outreach for project input, and applying for and managing federal disaster recovery grant funds. But the sum of this work continues to be evident in scenic parks with amenities that are prepared for future flooding issues. Have questions for Nicholas, Leigh, or Dana? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.