Part of the state funding would go towards renovations of FedExForumGetty Images
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and his administration are “seeking millions from the state of Tennessee,” including $350M in "cash, for significant renovations to FedExForum, planned renovations to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, enhancements to AutoZone Park and replacing the long-shuttered Mid-South Coliseum with a soccer-specific stadium to house 901 FC,” according to Samuel Hardiman of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Legislative leaders and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee have "already been briefed on the plans," which would see a total project cost of $684M. The city “declined to break out how exactly the state funding" would be "allocated among the four projects.” Strickland said that the city is asking for funding with an "eye towards significant renovations of the existing" FedExForum, a "redo that would come with another long-term lease with the Grizzlies.” He added that the plans would "likely include a revamping of how the seats in the arena are configured,” as there are "more seats in the upper terrace level of the stadium compared to the first, floor-level bowl." That would “likely be inverted as part of the renovations,” giving the Grizzlies a "chance to make more revenue off of more, better seats.” Strickland said that the Univ. of Memphis would "supply the ‘lion's share’ of the funding” for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovation plans announced this spring. But the prospect of state dollars “changes the funding circumstances.” A renovated stadium is a "big piece" of UM's "hopes for joining a larger, Power 5 conference” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 10/18).
SHINING MOMENT: In Memphis, Mark Giannotto notes the planned renovations would be "perhaps the biggest construction project the city has ever taken on all at once.” Strickland called it a “big ask.” But Giannotto wrote at least Strickland and the city “aren’t sitting back and watching as Nashville gets another $500 million from the state for its new domed football stadium when Memphis’ sports venues need that money as much or more than its neighbors to the east.” Maybe this can become “another moment for the city like getting the Grizzlies became.” A moment when “long-held beliefs about what Memphis could and couldn’t do got shattered.” That is what “must happen if Strickland’s ask actually gets answered” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 10/18).
