MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Every few years, it seems, the fate of the venerable – but empty – Mid-South Coliseum becomes headline news. But what Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is proposing for the 58-year-old arena just might be the grandest idea yet.
He wants to partially demolish the coliseum and convert what’s left into a new Memphis 901 FC soccer stadium. It’s all part of a $684 million plan that also includes renovations to FedEx Forum, AutoZone Park, and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Details of the mayor’s proposal are still being developed for the city council and the state legislature. But we do know that the city will be asking the state for about $350 million to make the plan work.
A soccer stadium would significantly enhance the Liberty Park development currently taking place at the old Mid-South Fairgrounds. The question now is, how much pushback will the idea get from groups that have been pushing for years to bring the coliseum back to life?
Personally, I hope there’s no criticism at all. As it stands now, the building is an eyesore. It’s been shuttered since 2006, and the renderings of a soccer stadium are fabulous.
Whether it all comes to fruition is uncertain. Much of it depends on whether Strickland’s successor as mayor gets on board after Strickland leaves office next year. But it’s clear that sports is an economic driver, and soccer is gaining in popularity. So, stay tuned.