Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time received two grants Wednesday, April 16, to help build the immersive adventure museum at the former Mississippi River Museum on Mud Island. 

Downtown Memphis Commission’s Center City Development Corp. unanimously approved BVO and the River of Time two grants worth $55,000 in two parts — with conditions.

The first part includes a $5,000 Working Capital Grant that will immediately offer payment for hired labor, equipment and materials to build the museum’s interior.

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Once the museum shows what those dollars supported then the DMC will give the second award of a $50,000 Challenge Grant.

The developer will receive the Challenge Grant once it raises at least $2.5 million to create and partially open the museum.

“The current fundraising strategy involves creating a smaller portion of the museum as a proof of concept and demonstration of the idea,” according to the presentation. “This museum, once open, will be the first large-scale immersive experience in the region.”

BVO Chief Visionary Officer Christopher Reyes presented to the CCDC board and said Phase 1 of the experience is expected to open in the first quarter of 2026, and Phase 2 will expand the museum’s size.

“The CCDC Grant will be provided as ‘last dollars in’ following the team’s successful fundraising efforts,” according to the presentation. “The grant must be spent on new physical improvements and/or equipment needed, not labor, staffing or to cover previous expenses or debt.”

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The 33,000-square-foot space will incorporate the existing museum’s gunboat and steamboat into a choose-your-own-experience playground with interactive game technology. The adventure will have multiple “portals” for visitors to experience. 

Reyes first debuted the concept in 2020 during a pop-up at the Off The Walls art gallery, but now he’s joined by several partners to revive the vacant museum.

The project team includes Reyes, Kathryn Hicks, Reuben Brunson and Marvin Stockwell. The group entered into a 5-year lease in 2024, with an option for another five years, and has used crowdfunding to raise money.

The group raised nearly $250,000 toward its $2.5 million goal.

CCDC and DMC initially provided a $5,000 Pre-Development Grant to support the project through early design concept.

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Reyes anticipates about 250,000 visitors in the museum’s first year and $31 million in revenue by the fifth year. He also said ticket prices will range between $25 to $30 and wants to subsidize the price of the ticket for Memphis students. 

The CCDC also unanimously approved a $15,000 Retail Tenant Improvement Grant for Café Noir at 635 Madison Ave.

The grant will go to interior renovations, including painting, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and carpentry, according to the staff report.

Café Noir, owned by Jasmine Settles, will open in a 1,960-square-foot space in the Edge District in the summer to become Memphis’ only Black-owned bookstore cafe.

Settles launched the business in 2021 as a digital bookstore but has grown the concept since through pop-ups. She said the brick-and-mortar business will uplift minority voices in the community through literature.

“The subject property will increase activity within the Edge District and fill an important vacancy within a broader creative campus,” the CCDC report said. “DMC staff believes that filling the subject space with Café Noir will continue to attract further private investment to this area, continuing the economic growth of the Edge District with diverse retail offerings that will cater to both the existing artistic population as well as newcomers.”