FHWA Supports:
This case study is part of the Federal Highway Administration toolkit on innovative finance strategies to accelerate bicycle and pedestrian project delivery, a reference for local and state transportation agencies. The Hampline project used Federal funding and innovative local sources to construct a 1.7-mile bicycle and pedestrian corridor in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Hampline is a 1.7-mile bicycle and pedestrian corridor that connects multiple neighborhoods in Midtown Memphis. It is a two-way bike lane that runs along Broad Avenue and Tillman Street. Raised medians separate the bike lane from traffic. The project also included enhanced on-street pedestrian crossings, landscaping, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance upgrades. The Hampline runs through the Broad Avenue Arts District in the Binghampton neighborhood and connects to another bicycle facility and a 4,500-acre park in northeast Memphis.
The idea for the Hampline came from residents of Binghampton in the late 2000s, when local businesses began looking for ways to revitalize the area. The area historically was a vibrant commercial corridor before a five-lane highway separated it from other neighborhoods. At the time, over 30 percent of residents in Binghampton lived below the poverty line, and 27 percent of households did not have access to an automobile. As the idea for a bike lane began to gain traction, community members organized to build support for the project. In 2010, BLDG Memphis (Build. Live. Develop. Grow. – previously Livable Memphis) and other partners hosted a “Build a Better Block” event. Build a Better Block is a tactical urbanism or quick build strategy that involves transforming built environments and allowing residents to explore new possibilities for their neighborhoods. Using Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) specifications, community members installed temporary bike lanes and decorative crosswalks along approximately 0.25 miles and brought art and cultural programming to the corridor for a weekend. Following this event, private investment began returning to the commercial and residential properties and fundraising kicked off toward making the corridor improvements permanent.
In 2012, the City secured a $1.75 million Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) grant to build the facility. Because the CMAQ grant only funded construction, the City had to secure additional funds for design and engineering. Community groups helped fundraise to close most of the gap. BLDG Memphis, a community development corporation, served as the fiscal agent for the project and contracted with the design consultant. The City staff managed the consultant and oversaw each step of the process. However, as the design phase neared completion, there was a $70,000 shortfall. Wanting to keep the project moving forward instead of waiting for additional funding, the community groups proposed a new strategy: crowdfunding.
Crowdfunding is a fundraising method that involves using an internet platform to raise money, typically with small donations coming from many donors. Project leaders set up a crowdfunding campaign through IOBY (which stands for “in our backyards”), a crowdfunding platform focused on neighborhood projects. The fundraising team attended community gatherings and conducted phone and email outreach. They asked for $55 donations, the estimated cost of one foot of the Hampline. Matching donations from local organizations helped incentivize further support. Ultimately, over 700 people donated, and the project met the $70,000 goal. The median contribution was $50. A representative of the City of Memphis noted that while crowdfunding was an effective method for the Hampline, it is important to consider the potential equity implications of this strategy. There could be both negative implications (wealthier neighborhoods could build higher quality facilities) and positive implications (if some neighborhoods use this strategy, the city could have more funding available to invest in lower-income neighborhoods).
BLDG Memphis, a community development organization that had assisted with the quick build event in 2010, served as the fiscal agent during the design phase. The crowdsourced funds went through BLDG Memphis, which hired a consultant to design the project through a design-bid-build contract. The City reviewed the plans at each stage and oversaw the NEPA process, which was a requirement for receiving the CMAQ funds.
In February 2014, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of construction. Even before completion of the separated bike lane, the corridor began to change. The Hampline has helped attract over $15 million in new investment to Broad Avenue, including renovations or construction of 29 buildings. Private funding has also brought new cultural amenities and art to the area. For instance, ArtPlace America provided a grant to bring exercise classes, dance, and performance arts to the corridor on the weekends. The National Endowment for the Arts, the First Tennessee Foundation, the City of Memphis Percent of Art Program, and IberiaBank sponsored three sculptures that highlight the history of the neighborhood. Construction on the last phase is nearly complete. The Hampline has been recognized internationally on lists such as “Seven Bike Lanes that Could Revolutionize Urban Landscapes” and “World’s Best Urban Bike Paths.”
Nicholas Oyler
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, City of Memphis
(901) 636-6710
Nicholas.Oyler@memphistn.gov
125 North Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Community LIFT. 2012. “Greater Binghampton Snapshot.”
Daniel Herriges. 2020. “This is What We Can Do Together.”
IOBY. 2014. “Case Study: The Hampline.”
Nicholas Oyler. 2019. “The Hampline.” Bike/Ped Memphis.
BLDG Memphis (Build.Live.Develop.Grow)
Broad Avenue Arts District
City of Memphis Bikeway and Pedestrian Program
