JTM1

Detroit and St Louis would like a word with you. If you attend any of their MLB and NHL games, you will see a large African American presence. I am old enough to remember the River Kings and Tiger's games and they there would always be a large African American crowd in attendance.

I am not sure who it was, but two or three years ago someone, from Florida, looked at bringing hockey back to Memphis, and from what I understand, they could not work out a deal with the Landers Center and that is why it never happened. FedEx Forum may have been built primarily for basketball, but I attended a Predators game there and it seem alright to me. The Preds I must agree, an MLB team isn’t going to happen, because the Cardinals made a smart and decisive decision to scoop Memphis up and bring it under its umbrella. Having a minor league team affiliate in Memphis has worked to the Cardinals favor. One of things that fascinate me with Memphis is when people say Memphis can’t or won’t, Memphis does the opposite of what the naysayers say. Having said that, I would argue that Memphis is a growing city, as well as the metro, and Memphis has a lot of deep pockets that could be potential investors. I was recently reminded, by a colleague, that there is a lot of old money in Memphis, and he pointed out that there are several private billionaire families that call Memphis home, and their wealth is not open for public news like the Smiths and Hyde’s.

I believe an NHL team would be good for the city, because there is still a significantly large number of hockey loving fans in the city. I have attended games for both the Predators and Blues, and I have run into quite a few Memphians at those games. It is not like hockey would be new to the area, because I remember how exciting the River Kings and the Tigers hockey games were. It would also give the kids, in the city, another option to choose from for sports interest and activities. It would make the city more appealing with sports options. From the information that I gathered, the Coyotes could be purchased at a steal of deal, because the team is valued at about $400 million. I would love to see a local partnership, with black owners, buy the team and relocate it to Memphis. Imagine the rivalry between the Blues, Predators, and a Memphis hockey team. This is something that should certainly be pursued because I believe, it would also have a noticeable economic impact on the city as well. I am sure the Ford executives that are moving to the area would appreciate having a hockey team close too. One of the smartest business decisions the St. Louis Cardinals made was select Memphis as its minor league incubator, because that eliminated the potential of a nearby competitor.

I agree. I wonder whatever become of the aerotropolis plan. https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/feb/4/aerotropolis-initiative-to-develop-master-plan/print

This was an informative interview about the airport.

Brent Taylor and Mark White were authors of new legislation to lower the jet fuel tax for FedEx. It was bipartisan too. My take away is that Memphis is about to land a passenger airline. https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/business/article/36003/tennessee-lawmakers-fedex-jet-fuel-tax-general-assembly This is what Taylor said.

Here is one of two articles, in the Daily Memphian, discussing the Federal Building. The building is showing its age and the location isn't secure. https://dailymemphian.com/article/5039/ I read another one in the Commercial Appeal that gave more detailed, I just need to find it in the archives. The CA article mentioned Nashville, Chattanooga and Memphis. It also highlighted the slowness of GSA and a waiting list.

Interesting that the both the Empire State Building and the Sterick had the same owner at one time.

I agree. Every time I look at the building and its craftmanship it leaves me speechless.

Residential would also eliminate the need for more parking, because I believe the Sterick share parking with Hotel Indigo. I know we're due for a new federal building and they could build it on the plaza, raze the old one and build a convention hotel on that corner and across Poplar. I know Mr Harris has his design team, but I think this lighting is perfect for the exterior.

I had to go back and read the articles, and you're correct, there's no mention of a hotel component. I hope there will be.

That building has such an opulence about it and I sense, once complete, it will be recognized for its uniqueness and beauty. The hotel component will be a 5 Star.

I love the idea of having a pharmacy with a soda shop or soda shop/ pizza parlor. I hope the Gray Canary would reopen in the Sterick. Flying a flag is a brilliant idea and would definitely get the tongues to wagging. It really does. I love the marble in the lobby and the brass fixtures on the staircase. That marble is beautiful.

Agreed. I know the usual retail shops will line the base of the Sterick building, but I would like to see a variety of businesses around it. I have longed wished that someone would convert the corner of Madison and BB King into some comedy clubs and create a specific comedy district for the city. I know there are a couple of comedy clubs in Memphis and popup comedy shows that happen all around town, but Memphis needs its own comedy club district. Something that I would like to see included in their future development, a food hall, like the closed Puck’s Food Hall and the Global Café. Having a variety of select food options as well as entertainment would be a plus, plus, for that area of downtown. An indoor playground and trampoline park would also make a great amenity.

No need for that. I would say that we all have believed, at what time or another, it was too far gone. I did, until I was told that building was constructed to last for a long time and all it needed was some love and attention to the detail. I am not sure about the time table, but I expect in the coming days we will get more details about it.

Wrong is the worst of ways. The group restoring the Sterick believe in Memphis and restoring the Sterick is going to spur more development in that area of downtown.

The revitalization of the Sterick is going to spur more development downtown.

Agreed. My guess is it will be a hotel, condo, apartment, and office mixture. I hope they return it to its original color too.

The Sterick building has been sold to a local developer and it is no longer on the market. https://dailymemphian.com/section/neighborhoods/article/35195/memphis-developer-stuart-harris-buys-sterick-building

The Sterick building has been sold. "In addition to the acquisition of the Sterick, Constellation Properties has also bought parcels between The Commonwealth and the Sterick at 220 Madison Ave. and 224 Madison Ave. for future development." https://dailymemphian.com/section/neighborhoods/article/35195/mem.phis-developer-stuart-harris-buys-sterick-building

Nice!

Electing a new mayor and city council with vision is important.

This location supersede the fairgrounds for the soccer stadium and is prime for more development. Having the soccer stadium as the anchor would push development further up 2nd. Extending the trolley would help with parking too. I bet the mayor didn't even look at this location. I can definitely see this becoming another unique entertainment district with retail and housing. I love this concept, I have never seen this before and there is still enough land to mix the soccer stadium in with this.

That's a great idea. Billy Orgel included a gathering area along the harbor bank for his Snuff District development and Mayor Strickland has already received $20 million in funding to turn the harbor into a lake. The land where the grainery sit would be ideal for the soccer stadium and the grainery has ceased operations there too.

Oh! I wasn't aware of that price. It is a good location and the city need to use its weight to pressure the owner. Hell, bring in the owner on the development of the property, along with the stadium.