The Early Word: Old CA could house new ER, and Liberty Stadium shrinks
Good morning, Memphis. It’s Tuesday, Jan. 28, and if you haven’t had breakfast yet, might I suggest blueberry pancakes? It’s the national day for that.
It’s also the day for a Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen discussion on a proposed ordinance that could create some unhappy campers. The new rules would limit where residents can park their RVs, boats and trailers.
The former Commercial Appeal building at 495 Union Ave. could be the site of a new Regional One Health hospital. The Shelby County Commission approved the $23 million purchase of the long-vacant site on Monday. The county had planned to rebuild the aging hospital at its existing campus over an eight- to 10-year period, but the new plan could mean a replacement hospital will be ready much sooner. The warehouse portion of the old CA building was sold in March to a self-storage company, but work on that project was halted for this deal.
The renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will be smaller than it was before construction started. The stadium held a little more than 58,000 before, and the new plans had called for about 50,000 seats. But that’s being reduced to something between 42,000 and 44,000. University of Memphis athletic director Ed Scott said it comes down to butts in seats, but the previously added capacity had been a priority for Southern Heritage Classic and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Another update to construction plans will make it easier for the stadium to host non-football events, like concerts and monster truck shows.
Plus, Vietnamese food gets elevated at Bao Toan, Kirk Whalum honored a fallen astronaut and the Grizzlies have too many turnovers.
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Bianca Phillips
Bianca Phillips is a Northeast Arkansas native and longtime Memphian who’s worked in local journalism and PR for more than 20 years. She’s a diehard morning person who spends her free time running marathons and ultras. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South.”
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