JTM1

Personally, I believe Breeze would be a better option.

I believe that is the design they're going after.

Access is the missing piece to Mud Island. This is just my opinion, but I believe the MLGW location would be ideal for more entertainment/retail/hospitality/ residential. It's the puzzle piece that will connect South Main and Beale St. I would like to see another professional theater included in the redevelopment of the MLGW property. There's no doubt the aquarium is a good idea, and the aquarium at the zoo is showing its age, I hope there are discussions between zoo leaders and the city planners about building a new aquarium and letting the zoo manage it. You've pointed out something that's often overlooked. The parking around Bass Pro will be a valued asset for whatever is constructed on that property. I've envisioned a lot for the area around Bass Pro, because the Pyramid is a billion dollar anchor.

My concern with it being on Mud Island is access. They should just do away with the welcome center and incorporate that building in with the aquarium and fresh water institute. They could move the welcome center over to the area before I-40 runs into 240. It would be easier to get to and it could stay open all night for travelers. Where it's located now is inconvenient.

It's beautiful. The riverfront is beginning to come into its form. I know the mayor want to install a Ferris Wheel over by the welcome center, but I think that area would be better served for the aquarium they proposed. I think incorporating the Freshwater Institute in with an aquarium that's under the management of the Zoo would be fitting. It would definitely create foot traffic.

"Work on a new Downtown mixed-use project is set to get underway, and the scope of the project has significantly scaled up from its original plans. A vacant building that currently stands at 154 GE Patterson Ave. is the former lodge of the Prince Hall Masons and is to become The DeSoto Lofts. The DeSoto Lofts project is estimated to cost $3.2 million to renovate a historic, three-story building, per a construction permit filed with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. Constructed around 1900, the property is to be converted into office space on the ground floor and apartments on the second and third floors. He said that UrbanARCH plans to move the firm to DeSoto Lofts once it is complete. The firm is currently housed just down the road at 498 S. Main St. near the National Civil Rights Museum. That space totals just over 2,000 square feet. The first floor of DeSoto Lofts is 4,900 square feet and is to feature modern office amenities. The ground floor space at DeSoto Lofts would feature an open office plan with conference rooms and employee gathering spaces, plus additional outdoor areas such as a patio, per the EIG application. In addition to the office space, the project is set to have eight one-bedroom lofts, each totaling 900 square feet." https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2023/06/13/mixed-use-project-downtown-former-masonic-lodge.html

Avelo Airlines launched its Memphis to Raleigh flight this morning. https://flymemphis.com/2023/06/14/avelo-airlines-launches-nonstop-service-between-memphis-and-raleigh-durham/

Thank you for posting this. There is so much unused land that could be developed around the MSC, and being in an opportunity zone would invite outside investors once the coliseum is operating again.

I think forming a conservancy for the MSC is a brilliant idea and one that will allow them to raise the funds needed to redevelop it and maintain it. I believe the MSC will qualify for federal funds. I am glad the Daily Memphian article pointed out the city never issued an RFP and I think that is shameful and the $10 million the mayor wanted to use to raze it can go into the redevelopment of it. The question now is what will become of the space that is not the arena.

The fairgrounds is in the heart of the city and Liberty Park should become one of the most dense areas of the city. They also need to get MATA involved.

As described to me, this past weekend, from someone that works in city planning, scrap the soccer fields, and have retail in both locations, because Liberty Park should be one of the densest areas in the city and the taxes collected should reflect it. Yes, there’s an area beside the Kroc Center where they play soccer which makes no sense to me to build soccer fields where potential tax producing amenities could go. The only open space in Liberty Park should be parking and that should be cut down by adding a couple of parking garages with rooftop bars. Think about it, if they proceed with razing the Coliseum, there will another tax-exempt structure that will go months without producing any form of revenue. I changed my view on the Coliseum, because I once thought it had outlived its usefulness, but now I see it as something that could produce tax revenue 365 days a year. I have always believed the vision for the fairgrounds should be about more than sports, but more of a destination for Memphians and the families and visitors that travel to Memphis. The amenities are what will make LP more attractive for hosting events. I was thinking an entrance off Southern could feed that area and I don’t think there will any trouble with attraction patrons.

There will be a full-service hotel, with two restaurants. One at street level and the rooftop of the building. I would like to know if a local restaurant group will be given rights to open the rooftop restaurant or will they look for another named restaurant that is not presently in Memphis? I would like to see the Lowes hotel revived too, but I wish that it were in a different location.

An out-of-town visitor brought something to my attention this past weekend. The city plan to construct soccer fields on the land South of the MSEC, when they should consider adding some form of retail/entertainment that will generate tax revenue. This will be a dead area of Liberty Park, even if they move forward with razing the Coliseum and constructing the soccer stadium at this location. Like it was pointed out to me, most parents/families would rather walk to the area South of the MSEC than walk over to Central. This would make redeveloping the Coliseum even more attractive, because both properties have the potential to generate sales tax and one would generate sales and property tax, unless the city sold the Coliseum. https://dailymemphian.com/section/neighborhoods/article/36623/memphis-liberty-park-james-maclin-project-requests-pilot chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://downtownmemphis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Liberty-Park-PILOT-Application-2023_FINAL.pdf

100 N Main developers are about to start inside demolition. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/business/development/2022/11/17/downtown-memphis-100-north-main-developers-apartments-restaurants-timeline-cost/10366817002/

This is why razing the coliseum is a bad idea, because having another enclosed arena nearby is important in hosting the NBA All Stars. I really would like to see the proposed soccer stadium built somewhere else , because it could be an anchor and catalyst for another entertainment/retail district. Having multiple options is just good for the city overall and we should want the NBA guest to have the best time. Hotels and air service will be most important and the downtown airport will be key for the private jets of the athletes, dignitaries, and stars. The next mayor and city council members need to be visionaries.

I was thinking more along the lines of Rock and Brews. https://www.rockandbrews.com/ I think the House of Blues would be a good fit for that location. We are presently hosting the British Consul General, from Atlanta, and what better way to strengthen ties than to open a British restaurant on or near Beale St. I was in London last year and I ate at a restaurant that reminded me of Lafayette’s. I wish I could remember the name. https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/british-consul-general-visits-memphis-peabody-honorary-duckmaster/522-7e14dcdd-bdde-4db0-8f1e-b190a6da2495 Raglan Road is another restaurant that I believe would do well on Beale St. I am honestly surprised that Ole Red hasn’t entered the Memphis market. There's also going to be 11,000 sq feet of retail space in the mobility center to fill. I think they should consider building out the North edge of Church Park with retail, because it would bring life to that area of Beale St.

I was reminded the Brooks Museum is going to be a backdrop to the redesign of the cobblestones and that area of the riverfront.

Kevin Kane said, “While disappointed to lose this restaurant at the end of their lease term now, we are encouraged by Hard Rock’s statement that indicates they are open to having another location within the Memphis market, and their exploration of building a Hard Rock Hotel on Beale Street as recent as last year.” I do wonder what brand will replace HRC at that location.

This isn't bad news, HRC is looking for another location, and I believe they want a large enough structure to host larger crowds. They're not planning to leave the Memphis market. That building and interior needs updating and I bet the owner wants an increase in rent, but doesn't want to make the needed upgrades.

There is value in saving the MSC and it’s good to know there are council members that understand it. I don’t understand why the city is committed to building the soccer stadium at the fairgrounds This past weekend, I attended the Nike EBYL, and the Showboats game, and the traffic was horrible to say the least. I can't imagine a football game/event in the Liberty Bowl, an event at the MSEC, and a soccer game occurring at the same time. Just think how bad it is going to get when they build out and construct the mixed-use, housing, and lodging part of the campus. I can already see it now; parking and traffic is going to be a bigger problem once completed. I would love it if they used the soccer stadium to be an anchor and catalyst to create another entertainment district that is centered around soccer.

I agree.

There is diversity in the crowds, because there are a lot of black people that love hockey too.

I doubt the Tigers would give up FedEx Forum, but I would like to see the MCS retain its arena component while also adding a museum, brewery/ sports centered restaurant/ retail, and a family friendly component. I am so glad that we are having this discussion, about hockey, because if we're thinking about it, I hope the powers to be will start to discuss it as well.

I agree that having the right infrastructure, in place, is important to build a strong fan base. Look at what they are doing with rugby and soccer in the city. However, I am old enough to remember the discussions about Memphis getting an NBA and NFL franchise too, and all of this occurred while the RiverKings were playing in the Coliseum. Memphis’s history with hockey should not be dismissed and hockey would still be an active sport, in the Memphis area, if the RiverKings had never changed leagues and owners, and if the U of M had joined a conference with schools that played hockey. The arrogance and greed of the owners of the RiverKings is why hockey no longer played here. There are a lot of deep pocket Memphians that attended those RiverKings’ games, before they relocated to Southaven, and I believe if the right deal were presented, they would consider investing and relocating an NHL franchise to Memphis. I know hockey originated in Canada, but it is also sport that is appreciated even in the deep South, like Miami. I had a conversation with a local figurehead in the last election and this person said, “people doubt Memphis because of its large black population, and this has even affected the decisions of some elected leaders…However, if you give Memphians something to support, and a reason to support it, they will show up and show out.” Then I was asked for my vote. Having said that, we need to look for leadership that is aggressive and understand the more diverse the amenities the more appealing is Memphis. I personally believe the WNBA would be supported by the city, because we have some NBA players that are incredibly supportive of the WNBA. I imagine if the WNBA were to award a franchise to Memphis, we have several players that would more than likely become minority owners.

Thank you, I will look this over. The $300 million de-icing facility has raised the bar for the airport, because I remember the Sec of Transportation came to Memphis for its opening. You mentioned Amazon, I believe the airport sold some property, off of Airways. to a company that was affiliated with Amazon. Honestly, I am glad that Memphis didn't get the Amazon HQ2, because Nashville is going to be left holding the bag for all of that office space.