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June 30, 2007
The national consultants studying the feasibility of a new fairgrounds football stadium also are considering a Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium renovation. That's a broadening of the original scope for partnering consultants Conventions Sports & Leisure International and HOK Sport. But whether it signals a shift in the city's stadium strategy -- away from a new facility and in favor of fixing up the old -- isn't clear. "What we're just doing is looking at options," said city chief financial officer Robert Lipscomb, when asked if he's become more optimistic that the Liberty Bowl could reach Americans with Disabilities Act compliance without a dramatic seating loss. "I'm not getting into the politics of it. My job is to provide data." The consultants' report -- expected to be completed by late August rather than the original mid-July target -- will "tell the public if we're doing the right thing," Lipscomb said. On Jan. 1, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton stunned the city and sparked a continuing debate by proposing a new stadium to replace the Liberty Bowl and become a centerpiece of Mid-South Fairgrounds redevelopment. Herenton reasoned that a new stadium was needed because the cost of ADA compliance at the Liberty Bowl was so great, financially and in seating loss. The city estimated that capacity could fall by 10,000 or more. A recent report by local consultants SSR Ellers backed up that seating scenario, and said the price tag could be about $20 million. However, the true scope of necessary ADA work will be decided by the United States Department of Justice. DOJ officials have received the SSR Ellers report but not responded to it. "The city has submitted plans to us regarding alterations at the stadium and we are currently reviewing the city's plans," said Cynthia Magnuson, DOJ public affairs specialist, in an e-mail response to a media inquiry. "That is the current status of the submission. I cannot comment on the submission while it is under review." The SSR Ellers report outlined 12 options that would add varying amounts of wheelchair and companion spaces. The options carry price tags ranging from about $800,000 to $4.8 million. But Senior Asst. City Atty. Fred E. Jones Jr. said they aren't necessarily either/or options -- the DOJ could require that all 12 be enacted. Jones said the city submitted the report, with all its options, to the DOJ -- and didn't propose a specific plan for meeting ADA requirements. "We're waiting to see if they're going to want to come back and take another physical review of the facility," Jones said, "and then to sit down, after they've looked at what we've given them, and discuss what our options are." Stadium capacity is considered a key issue. If Liberty Bowl capacity drops near 50,000 from its current level of about 62,000, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and Southern Heritage Classic could have difficulty accommodating their fans, as would the University of Memphis for its larger games. In another stadium development, the city still is a few days from choosing a private management firm for the Liberty Bowl. The move to private management follows criticisms of customer service, cleanliness, traffic, parking and other issues at the 42-year-old facility. Proposals were submitted by SMG, which also operates the Cook Convention Center, and Global Spectrum. "They are the top two national firms," said parks director Cindy Buchanan. "We're very pleased with the proposals we've received."
-- David Williams: 529-2310
Fairgrounds timetable
Mid-July: Report due from consultants studying overall Mid-South Fairgrounds redevelopment, which could include retail and residential elements.
Late August: Report due from stadium consultants, who are considering the feasibility of a new facility as well as a renovation of the Liberty Bowl.
