Nothingspectacular

Not only this block, but most all of downtown Memphis drastically needs development. Doubtful a high rise as Memphis has always been a low rise city.

Will Southwest Airlines add a hangar and maintenance facilities a BNA as most of its bases have? With so many SWA flights at BNA that would seem logical.

This is major news at BNA. Hardly any local news coverage.

The Tennessee Titans are starting construction of their new domed structure adjacent to the Nissan stadium. The current stadium will be torn down and replaced by mixed use condos, apartments and parks. Unsure if a MLB team relocating to Nashville would require a new stadium, or would be share the new domed structure. The domed stadium is badly needed because of the numerous concerts and special that are held there year-round.

Memphis has zero chance of getting a MLB team. If a team relocates Nashville is the likely city to be selected.

$18 million investment gets 50 jobs.

Memphis has always been a low rise city in keeping with its delta and river geography. The downtown skyline profile has mirrored this and has not drastically changed in decades. Since 1970 only the Pyramid and Raymond James bldg have added significant height and bulk to the profile. Commerce Square, First Tenn, 100 N Main, Sterick, Lincoln Tower and a few others all predate that year. Far too many empty lots. Hopefully the renovation plans for the empty 100 N Main, Sterick and Raymond James bldgs will materialize.

CDG is the correct airport code. (Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport)

It’s simply outrageous to read that damages to Tom Lee Park and the riverfront totaled $1.4 million due to the BBQ cooking event at Memphis in May. This has very bad optics for all of Memphis. https://dailymemphian.com/section/neighborhoods/article/37290/downtown-memphis-tom-lee-park-damage-memphis-in-may

Yes, Jackson will benefit more than Memphis from Ford Blue Oval as Memphis is too far away from plant. The big winners are the surrounding rural areas especially Jackson, TN whose airport could benefit. West Tennessee and Memphis badly need investment and growth. The auto manufacturing supply companies already in Middle Tennessee are expanding to also serve the Ford facility in West TN, especially for battery manufacturing.

BNA really needs to accelerate the timetable for replacing the Concourse A. I flew in/out of A recently on United and can attest to how crowded, hot and totally unappealing it is. The rest rooms were not clean and the AC was really struggling.

Yet another stalled project for downtown Memphis

There are news reports today in the Daily Memphian that a legal challenge has been launched against Brooks Museum’s right to build on the riverfront site. The challenge comes from the group Friends for our Riverfront, dedicated to protecting the riverfront for public use. Regardless of how this turns out, I hope the extreme brutalist architecture planned for the building gets revised. Yet another stalled downtown project.

American Airlines bought AirCal many years ago. The aircraft is one of several heritage liveries used by American.

Interesting article and pics of this old building. It will take extremely deep pockets and a very long time to restore.

Nice to see pics of Raleigh/Durham and some new developments there. I’ve never been very impressed with the area in general as it’s so spread out and largely suburban in look and feel.

Dream branded hotels are really nothing special or high style as the headline infers. They are middle tier at best, with pretty standard amenities. The established ones are not aging well. I’ve stayed at them in several cities and rate them as average.

The design is extreme brutalist architecture and not good for such a prime location. The building turns its back on the Mississippi River. Such a missed opportunity to improve downtown and the riverfront.

Using the term “aerotropolis” was a huge mistake, especially so producing this report just one year after Delta de-hubbed the airport. Lots of bad blood still exists between Amazon and FedEx.

The convention center was nicely renovated, however it is still far too small for major conventions and events. The adjoining Canon Center for performing arts is rarely used by conventions. Canon Center is not booked much of the year as it is hurt by events that take place at the Orpheum and FedEx forum.

Memphis has historically had difficulty developing its tourism and convention business. With Beale Street and Graceland as the main attractions, I believe the distance between downtown and Graceland is part of it. The vibe of the Lamar Ave corridor along with the citywide crime statistics doesn’t help matters. Convention growth is hampered by the lack of good hotels, especially downtown, and the lack of direct flights at MEM. The renovated convention center is much improved but it still lags many cities.

The brutalist design turns its back on the Mississippi River. Sadly this looks like a missed opportunity for something that could be spectacular in a prime location.