DMC Downtown Mobility Center — Memphis, TN

E5® Internal Cure eliminated additional curing steps while improving long-term performance for a new mixed-use mobility hub in the heart of downtown.

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Project Snapshot

Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Owner/Developer: Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC)
Product: E5® Internal Cure
Ready-Mix: MMC
General Contractor: Flintco
Architect: Looney Ricks Kiss (LRK)
Technical Representative: M2 Solutions
Program: ~975 parking spaces, ~13,500 sq ft of retail, plus a bike commuter station at Main & Beale.

About Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC)

The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) is the economic development organization for the city’s Central Business Improvement District (CBID), funded by a special assessment and focused on making Downtown cleaner, safer, and easier to develop and invest in. DMC works through five public boards—including the Downtown Mobility Authority (DMA)—to deliver projects, incentives, design review, and mobility/parking initiatives such as the Downtown Mobility Center.

The Challenge

Deliver a dense, durable concrete structure in an urban environment while controlling shrinkage cracking and permeability—without adding labor-intensive topical curing compounds that slow schedules and create future compatibility issues. The team needed a practical way to enhance hydration and long-term performance from within the mix.

The E5 Solution

E5® Internal Cure was selected to internally cure the concrete, reducing shrinkage cracks and lowering permeability while streamlining placement and finish. By curing from within, the system eliminated additional labor and curing compounds, helping the project team protect schedule and long-term service life.

Products Used

Built-In Performance: The E5® System Behind the Results. This project’s outcomes weren’t accidental—they were engineered into the slab. By pairing the right admixtures and surface systems, we delivered internal curing, faster access, and a harder, more resilient finish that stands up to real-world demands.

E5® Internal Cure

Nano-silica powered internal curing that improves hydration efficiency, reduces permeability, and limits shrinkage cracking—while removing the need for topical curing compounds. (Link to product page at the bottom of this blurb.)

Structure & Use

Mixed-use parking/retail facility designed for high throughput and daily exposure to de-icing salts, vehicle traffic, and weathering—demanding a dense, low-permeability matrix.

Performance Priorities

Control drying shrinkage, reduce permeability for durability, and simplify curing steps to minimize labor and accelerate turns of work areas. E5® Internal Cure met these targets while remaining compatible with downstream finishes and coatings.

Project Overview

The DMC mobility project advanced rapidly, with E5® Internal Cure chosen specifically “to cure the concrete, reduce shrinkage cracks, and reduce the permeability of the concrete structure.” The approach aligned with the broader plan to enhance downtown connectivity and activate street-level retail while maintaining long-term durability.

How E5® Elevated Performance

By binding nano-silica at the initial reaction point, E5® Internal Cure promotes efficient hydration and internal moisture management. The result is stronger, more durable concrete that resists chemical and physical attack—extending service life while removing wet cures and curing compounds from the workflow.