The AM/DM podcast: Demolition is underway at proposed Regional One site but who’s paying for it?
The old Commercial Appeal building is seen Aug. 5, 2026, during an unveiling of new renderings of the future Regional One hospital. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Earlier this summer, demolition began at the old Commercial Appeal building on Union Avenue.
The site is slated to become the home of a new Regional One hospital, which could cost more than $900 million and would replace the hospital’s existing campus, some of which dates back to 1943.
Several years ago, the county seemed to be willing, through former Mayor Lee Harris, to provide $350 million for the project, but it’s unclear if the Shelby County Board of Commissioners has ever explicitly approved that money.
It’s also unclear where the other $550 million is coming from, even as the project is already costing taxpayers $330,000 a month in consultant fees.
Joining us today is reporter Sam Hardiman, who’s been trying to figure out, as this project moves forward, who is paying for it?
Listen in.
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AM/DMMary Cashiola
Mary Cashiola has been a Memphis journalist for nearly two decades, beginning her career covering city government and local neighborhoods at the Memphis Flyer before being hired by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton’s administration.
Before joining The Daily Memphian, she was the managing editor of the Memphis Business Journal, which was named one of the top 10 Best Designed Newspapers in the world by the Society of News Design while she was there.
She also has a background in advertising, with a focus on higher education and the hospitality industry.
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