How Memphis plans to spend $100 million in state money on Beale Street
Memphis City Council member Pearl Eva Walker steps off a specially commissioned MATA bus as a part of the council’s tour of projects within their districts on April 21, 2026. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
John Zeanah said an interesting phrase as he stood outside FedExForum during a City Council bus tour — he called the area the “arena district.”
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Memphis City Council MATA John Zeanah Arena District Downtown Beale Street FedExForum Southwest Twin drive-in Liberty Park Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Samuel Hardiman
Samuel Hardiman is an enterprise reporter who focuses on government and politics. He began his career at the Tulsa World where he covered business and K-12 education. Hardiman came to Memphis in 2018 to join the Memphis Business Journal, covering government and economic development. He then served as the Commercial Appeal’s city hall reporter and later joined The Daily Memphian in 2023. His current work focuses on the intersection of government, public policy, influence and how public dollars are spent.
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