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Originally Posted by Wayward Memphian
I have consistently posted my belief that this area is where a new indoor/retractable roof stadium should be located as part of a new convention center and extention of the Beale St. Entertainment District. If the existing Cook Convo Center is going to cost the amount they say, why not just build new. 50,000 seats with about 10,000 upper deck seat that can be tastefully blocked off with lots of value added seats to make up any potentiometer revenue loss over capacity right sizing and the ability to add temp seating in one endzone upwards of 5,000. Use retractable seating for the first level and you have a very nice exhibition space for trade shows.
1)New, modern home for Tiger football
2)Growing the size of the Beale St. Music Fest
3)up to date seismic standards/ADA compliant
4)ability to host or upgrade for larger conferences, competitions, sporting events and concerts without fear of weather.
5)upgrade the Liberty Bowl/Heritage Classic experience for isiting fans and offering the ability to host showcase games like kickoff classic neutral site games and high school showcase games
Ect, ect, ect.
Spit balling, could be shifted to CA property. There's even a Google amount of public and private Greenspace for tailgating with the right planning.
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A couple of the major reasons why the City of Memphis is currently in the convention space problem that it is, is due to lack of vision and money. There is absolutely no logical reason for the City to hang tax payers, the City's bond rating or potential tourists (through tourism taxes) on the line to finance a 60,000 seat domed stadium for realistically 8 to 9 football games, a handful of conventions that might exceed the provided space in the new convention center and a few larger venue concerts/events.
1. If Tiger football needs a new home (which I think we do), it needs to be on or adjacent to campus. Tiger football doesn't need a domed stadium with 20,000 tarped seats, we need a 40,000 seat stadium on campus that will bring alumni back to campus and create a weekend long atmosphere. A stadium here brings various challenges and issues that are another conversation, but going downtown and leasing from the City is not in the best interest of the UofM.
2. Does BSMF need to expand? What could be offered in a domed stadium that can't currently be offered?
3. That could be said for almost every large structure in Memphis.
4. It probably would attract larger conventions/concerts/sporting events, but unless hotel space downtown is addressed in the form of 4,000 to 6,000 hotel rooms, there is still going to be an issue. The excuse that Memphis hasn't hosted large outdoor concerts due to the lack of a modern stadium is a bunch of bunk. Memphis hasn't hosted a large concert for the same reason the Forum struggles to get main stream acts marketed for 15 to 20k seats.
5. I could see if the LMBS was routinely hosting playoff games and other larger bowl games, but even added with all of the items above, if a new stadium worth the SHC and Liberty Bowl game? Not so much.
What's the price tag of a new domed football stadium these days? 1+ Billion?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayward Memphian
80,000 is the most insane thing i'v read in a while. Why does Memphis continue to pour millions into the Liberty Bowl just to keep it treading water when it could'very been servicing debt on a new stadium downtown. Millions for Tiger Lane, New chair back seating, video boards, and and what would be millions more for better infrastructure to host a concert or two when that could be just part of new uses for a new stadium.
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I'll agree that the idea of expanding the LBMS is stupid, but the City hasn't solely financed all of the improvements to the stadium, as you've stated above. The UofM is repaying the cost of seating improvements. Fred Smith donated the money for the video board. Additionally, how is the LBMS "treading water"? The LBMS serves the purpose that it needs to relatively well.