MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A new observation deck is being built in downtown Memphis, promising a one-of-a-kind view of the Mighty Mississippi River.
Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRRP) broke ground on The Memphis Flyway Thursday, June 6, 2024, with plans for it to open in 2026.
The free and ADA-accessible 218-foot-long curving observation deck will be one-of-a-kind, said the group. They expect it to draw more than one million new visitors each year.
The Flyway will be adjacent to the newly renovated Tom Lee Park. MRRP said the deck will be designed by Studio Gang and SCAPE, who also redesigned Tom Lee Park.
“The Memphis Flyway is a ground-supported canopy boardwalk supported by three steel mast column bundles,” said a news release. “The trail is to be built on the side of an escarpment. It extends along the SE-NW direction (an alignment with the 140-degree to 320-degree direction measured relative to true north) for a total length of approximately 218 feet. The Memphis Flyway presents a slightly curving main span 105 feet long followed by an overlook span. The overlook span splits into two arms and forms a loop around the supporting column bundle. The deck presents a triangular cross-section with chord, depth and aspect ratio that change along the span and is equipped with wooden railings on both edges.”
MMRP said The Memphis Flyway is being paid for by the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and an anonymous donor.
