Council committee approves moving $6 million to Monroe Plaza infrastructure for new Memphis Art Museum campus

City development staff and Memphis Art Museum representatives told a council committee on April 14 that $6 million in identified riverfront grant funds should be redirected to Monroe Plaza infrastructure near the new museum to fund sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks and landscaping.

John Zena, chief of development and infrastructure, said the transfer would not pay for the museum building itself (a public–private project already under construction) but would pay for public improvements on Monroe, Front and Union streets to create a safe, ADA-accessible plaza and pedestrian connections between the museum and adjacent public assets. Museum representatives said the new building is expected to open in December 2026 and to attract significant tourism and economic activity.

Staff described a conceptual package of improvements: vehicle access reconfiguration, pedestrian-only plaza areas at Monroe and Front, elevated crosswalks and bumpouts, landscaped medians to slow traffic and lighting/sidewalk upgrades. City staff said the $6 million source is a state riverfront grant (Harbor Docks project funds) that was available for riverfront projects and that portions of the Harbor project funding were no longer needed for their original scope.

The committee voted to forward a favorable recommendation for the transfer. Council members said the investment in surrounding infrastructure was important to present Memphis’ best face for museum visitors and to improve public safety.

What’s next: The transfer will move through the committee process with same-night minutes and return to council for final approval.