Developers seek major mixed‑use redevelopment at Oak Court Mall; council committee gives positive recommendation

Developers representing Oak Court Partners presented an amendment to the Oak Court plan development for 4465 Poplar Avenue that would add the Macy’s parcel and allow a mixed‑use redevelopment including multifamily housing, hotel and ground‑floor commercial space. The committee voted to forward the amendment with a positive recommendation. "We felt that this location in Memphis was phenomenal real estate and we could not have that kind of blight in Memphis," said Josh Pogue of Oak Court Partners, describing the group's purchase and redevelopment goals.

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) recommended approval with specific outline plan conditions, saying the request met the approval criteria for a plan development amendment. "We do find that it is an appropriate addition to the popular area," said Chloe Christian, planner with DPD.

Under the amendment, the applicant would base permitted uses on the surrounding CMU‑3 zoning and incorporate the Macy’s parcel into the PD. The plan establishes stepped height limits: areas beginning roughly 300 feet from the adjacent Village neighborhood would be limited to about 100 feet, increasing to a maximum of 180 feet further east. DPD noted that "1 story is about 10 feet give or take," so 180 feet was presented as roughly 18 stories.

Oak Court Partners described extensive community engagement: seven public meetings, multiple follow‑ups and revisions to address neighborhood concerns. Project team members said they removed proposed townhomes, abandoned language to privatize Oak Court Drive and reduced proposed maximum heights after feedback. The concept plans show ground‑floor commercial adjacent to new public green and gathering spaces, with residential and other uses above.

Developers said they intend to retain some existing parking structures where feasible to limit new structured parking costs and to keep Dillard’s and the First Horizon office building outside this PD amendment. The team said Dillard’s has expressed interest in remaining as an anchor and that investors and consultants on the project are locally based.

Council members who spoke praised the outreach and adjustments. Councilman Spinoza noted the lengthy public process and that the applicants had incorporated community feedback; Councilwoman Walker and Councilman Warren asked questions about parking, permitted uses and building height tiers.

The Land Use Control Board and DPD recommended approval subject to the outline plan conditions listed in the staff report. The committee voted to send the amendment forward with a positive recommendation; the motion was moved by Councilman Ford Sr. and seconded by Councilman Espinosa. The final legislative hearing and any additional conditions will be determined when the item returns to full council.

Less critical details: the submitted plans included an alternative for redeveloping an approximately five‑acre office and parking area if office reuse does not materialize; developers said phases and final building footprints will be refined during entitlement and design.