Where are America’s best porches? The selections showcase a range of practitioners and projects.

“What is the agency of the urban designer? How do we not just make landscapes, buildings, and public space, but make change?”

Tom Lee Park is one of 18 finalists across North and South America for the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) prestigious Americas Awards for Excellence.

“Tom Lee Park signifies a turning point in the city’s relationship with its riverfront, with an emphasis on inclusivity, restorative ecology, equity and opportunity,” ULI wrote on its website. “It catalyzes the reunification of river and city by transforming a significant piece of the riverfront into a signature park where community life can flourish along the water’s edge and attracts 1 million visitors annually.”

Memphis is shining a light on Tom Lee, a local and national hero, as it prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lee’s legendary river rescue.

A century ago this month, Tom Lee gained national fame for rescuing passengers after a riverboat disaster near Memphis. Here’s the story of the man behind the myth.

by Michael Finger

May 8 marks 100 years since Tom Lee rescued 32 people from the Mississippi River south of Memphis when their boat, the M.E. Norman, capsized..

The annual 'This Is Memphis' celebration featured a special tribute to local hero Tom Lee, highlighting his life-saving legacy.

2025 marks 100 years since the namesake of Memphis’ Tom Lee Park saved the lives of more than two dozen people, earning him national celebrity status and a host of honors for his heroism.

When 2024 becomes 2025, it will mark the centennial of Tom Lee’s 1925 Mississippi River rescue of 32 people. The Downtown Memphis riverside park that bears Lee’s name will be a focal point of observances marking the anniversary, including a film, a walking tour that features the story of the river rescue and community sing-alongs.

Tom Lee Park is a beautiful, nicely detailed project with a great integration of materials, plantings, and context to create a variety of spaces and unique experiences. It sets a remarkable precedent for inclusivity, social equity, and learning.

A new $10 million observation deck is coming to Downtown Memphis. The one-of-a-kind observation deck is called the “Memphis Flyway,” and is located on the south end of Tom Lee Park.

Remember those days when you dined at the River Terrace on Mud Island, with the view of the Mississippi River and the sunsets? Remember how you felt? Well, you can feel that way again when Mahogany River Terrace opens October 2nd at 280 Island Drive,  the space once occupied by the River Terrace.