Jeff Sanford remembered as a 'great Memphian' who made lasting mark on Downtown

Longtime Downtown Memphis supporter Jeff Sanford is remembered for giving back to the city he loved.

Sanford, who died Monday at the age of 81, was a Bluff City transplant. The former Memphis city councilman was born in Denver and grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. He left the Hawkeye State to pursue a degree in political science at the University of Wisconsin, eventually moving to Memphis in 1969.

Over his more than 50 years in the Bluff City, he would make a lasting impact — especially in Downtown.

"He was so loved," Sanford's wife, Cynthia Ham, said. "Memphis has been at the center of our lives for so long... he was such a passionate believer in Downtown. He put everything he had towards making Memphis better on so many levels."

Ham and Sanford met in the 1980s, she said. He was working for the City Council at the time and she was working with the City of Memphis as its first marketing director for Mud Island. The two became friends through mutual colleagues and she recalled the first time they went out without any mutual friends accompanying them.

"We realized it was our first date, that was 37 years ago now," she said.

Ham said she's been honored by the comments from friends and Memphians who have reached out to her, remembering Sanford, both as a friend and a pioneer.

“Jeff Sanford was truly a great Memphian," Memphis Tourism President and CEO Kevin Kane said. "Driving Downtown development and serving as a past chair of our board, he saw firsthand the value of tourism as an economic catalyst for change. He truly made Memphis a better place to live, work and play for locals and visitors from all over the world.”

Sanford was appointed to Memphis City Council in 1977, replacing the outgoing councilman Mike Cody (who was appointed United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee). Sanford was later elected to the role in 1979 and served until 1983.

Following his tenure as a city councilman, Sanford launched his own advertising and communications firm in 1987. In 1998, he took over as president for the Memphis Center City Commission (now known as the Downtown Memphis Commission).

Downtown Memphis Commission Chief Operations Officer Brett Roler said Sanford's successor at the organization, Paul Morris, introduced the two and Sanford became a mentor for his career.

"He accomplished a lot at the Downtown Memphis Commission," Roler said. "He didn't sit around and wait for nothing to happen."

During his tenure with the commission, Sanford oversaw more than $5 billion worth of investment in Downtown Memphis including the renovation of the historic Chisca Hotel and the development of AutoZone Park. The latter was a key component of Sanford's legacy to Downtown. The sports and entertainment district, as he called it, was a vital piece to the revitalization of Downtown Memphis.

Roler remembered how passionate and committed Sanford was to Downtown and said Sanford, who was a Downtown resident, would knock on doors and ask residents and business owners how the Center City Commission could help.

His understanding of Downtown led to a key development of the "Main Street block," Roler said, between Gayoso and Union avenues. The redevelopment of that area including what is now Barboro Flats, helped spur Downtown's revitalization, he said.

Roler said during a lunch with Sanford at Local on Main Street, the two were discussing Downtown Memphis and solutions for redevelopment.

"He told me something at that lunch that has stuck with me [my entire career]," Roler said. "Downtown isn't just a place, it isn't just a neighborhood; it is everyone's living room."

Sanford also served as the president of the Center City Commission for 12 years. In 2010, the organization awarded him with a lifetime achievement award for his service.

Sanford continued supporting Downtown Memphis through a variety of positions and board seats including with the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau (now known as Memphis Tourism), the Greater Memphis Chamber, Riverfront Development Council, Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis in May.

Sanford is survived by his wife, Cynthia Ham; his daughters, Jill Burrows and Julie; and two grandchildren, Poppy and Elsie Burrows.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. March 16 at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, 225 S. Main St. The family requests memorial donations be made to support Bridge Builders programs at BRIDGES, USA or a charity of choice from donors.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Downtown Memphis leader Jeff Sanford dies at 81: How he's remembered