John Branston: What To Make of Falling Crime Rate
by John Branston Crime is down in Memphis and across America, and anyone who says they know why...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 21, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Criminal Justice | 0
by John Branston Crime is down in Memphis and across America, and anyone who says they know why...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 18, 2025 | Criminal Justice, Shelby County government | 0
Few things provoke more suspicions than a project that arrives almost fully formed on a public...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 16, 2025 | Arts and Culture | 0
At 6:30 pm on Sunday, August 24 at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 S. Main, Memphians of all ages are...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 14, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Politics and Government, Taxation | 1
The following is my City Journal column in Memphis magazine that was published in February: It’s...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 11, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Downtown Revitalization, Memphis History, Transportation | 0
Those of us of a very certain age can still remember the colorful floating boat houses located at...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 10, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0
Cartoonist Bill Day never fails to prove the point that a picture – in his case, a cartoon – is...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 9, 2025 | Arts and Culture | 0
With Elvis Week now upon us, the Overton Park Shell is offering tours of its new backstage museum daily at noon, 2pm and 5:30 pm. Tours can be booked here or by calling (901) 482-1695.
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 7, 2025 | John Branston, Memphis History, Tourism | 0
Editor’s Note: This year’s Elvis Week is being closely watched by tourism officials...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Aug 4, 2025 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development | 8
USA Today asked me to would write a column about the status of the xAI project. It was published...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Jul 31, 2025 | Economic Development, FedEx, John Branston, Memphis Businesses, Memphis History | 0
By John Branston A memorial service for Fred Smith will be held August 11th (his birthday) at...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Jul 28, 2025 | Education, Politics and Government, Shelby County government, Tennessee Legislature | 0
By Cardell Orrin A new Tennessee state law was passed that specifically targets Memphis-Shelby...
Read Moreby Smart City Memphis | Jul 24, 2025 | Civil Rights, John Branston, Memphis History | 1
By John Branston Two big news stories with local angles: Trump’s libel suit against The...
Read Moreby Bill Day. Memphian Bill Day is two-time winner of the RFK Journalism Award in Cartooning. His cartoons are syndicated internationally by Cagle Cartoons. Cartoons Archive →
Since 2005, this has been Smart City Consulting’s blog with the aim of connecting the dots and providing perspective on issues and policies shaping Memphis. Editor and primary author is Tom Jones, columnist at Memphis magazine, author of two books and a museum exhibition, and consultant on public policy and strategic planning. Smart City Memphis was called one of the most intriguing blogs in the U.S. by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal wrote: “Smart City Memphis provides some of the most well-thought-out thinking about Memphis’ past, present, and future you’ll find anywhere,” and the Memphis Flyer said: “This incredibly well-written blog sets out to solves the city’s ills – from the mayor to MATA – with out-of-the-box thinking, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ideas.” If you have questions, submissions, or ideas for posts, please email Tom Jones, at tjones@smartcityconsulting.com.