The Building Beat

Develop 901

Starting a DIY project at home or even opening a new business can be daunting, especially when you aren’t sure who to talk to or where to start. Join our rotating hosts as they sit down with their colleagues and collaborative community partners to dispel the myths and mystery in building and zoning processes and to highlight the information and solutions you have available to you in Memphis and Shelby County. Let’s learn what all you can do in our corner of Tennessee.

  1. May 4

    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.

    19 min

  2. Apr 27

    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.

    37 min

  3. Mar 20

    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.

    40 min

  4. Feb 11

    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 Unified Development Code (UDC) Update website: https://www.901udcupdate.com/

    36 min

  5. Jan 14

    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.

    39 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    Ep. 21 Local Historic Districts & Preservation Planning

    Land Use Planner Nicholas Wardroup interviews Preservation Planners Ayse Penzes and Margot Payne about the role of the Memphis Landmarks Commission and the purpose of locally recognized historic district designations for residents in those districts. Ayse and Margot also share how the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) approval process works and what residents can do to become more involved in their historic districts. Have questions for Nicholas, Ayse, or Margot? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

    33 min

  7. 11/10/2025

    Ep. 20 Tiny Homes, Big Questions: Land Use, Location, and Limitations

    For the conclusion of this two-part series on tiny homes, Building Official Rita Anderson interviews Land Use and Development Services Manager Lucas Skinner to discuss zoning compliance and historic district guidelines as they apply to tiny homes, manufactured homes, and modular homes. This episode complements part one in the series focused on local, state, and federal building code compliance related to modular and manufactured homes. Have questions for Rita or Lucas? Or maybe you have a request for a multiple-part episode series? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov!

    17 min

  8. 10/06/2025

    Ep. 19 Tiny Homes, Big Questions: Navigating Structural Standards & Safety

    Building Official Rita Anderson interviews Director Jim Hightower of the Manufactured Housing, Modular, and Licensing section within the State of Tennessee's Department of Commerce and Insurance. Jim expands upon the popular term "tiny home" and shares the distinct differences between manufactured and modular housing, along with the federal and state standards that apply. Rita and Jim share what options are available for property owners and contractors within the State of Tennessee and what code standards the different housing types. This episode is the first in a two-part series focused on tiny homes and manufactured and modular housing in Memphis and Shelby County. Have questions for Rita or Jim? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Starting a DIY project at home or even opening a new business can be daunting, especially when you aren’t sure who to talk to or where to start. Join our rotating hosts as they sit down with their colleagues and collaborative community partners to dispel the myths and mystery in building and zoning processes and to highlight the information and solutions you have available to you in Memphis and Shelby County. Let’s learn what all you can do in our corner of Tennessee.

Information

  • Creator
    Develop 901
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Develop 901
  • Show Website
    The Building Beat

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