Site work and new construction of a mixed-use development in Memphis, Tennessee. Conceptual plans call for the construction of a retail development; office development; multi-residential development; and parking garage.

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2020/02/18/memphis-mid-south-fairgrounds-could-retail-destination/4793926002/ Feb. 18, 2020 The Mid-South Coliseum stand beyond the Fairgrounds site in Memphis. Built in 1963, the coliseum has been dormant since it closed its doors in 2006. The city has seen several proposals to redevelop the arena and adjacent Fairgrounds come and go. (Photo: (Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal)) The city of Memphis is seeking "destination retail" to anchor the redevelopment of the Mid-South Fairgrounds, revealing changes to the previously planned redevelopment of 18 acres on prime publicly owned real estate. At a Memphis City Council meeting Tuesday, Paul Young, the director of housing and community development, said the city is seeking an anchor retail establishment for the fairgrounds, something similar to Texas Live! --a retail entertainment district outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Multiple city officials traveled to Arlington for the University of Memphis football team's Cotton Bowl appearance and saw the Texas Live! concept. The city is not in discussions with the companies involved with Texas Live!, Young said. Texas Live! is a public-private partnership between the city of Arlington, the Texas Rangers and Cordish Companies. It features about 200,000 square feet of dining and entertainment space. The purpose of getting such an anchor tenant, Young explained, is to allow the city to issue bonds that would fund a youth sports facility. He said the city would issue the bonds once it agreed to a letter of intent from a retailer. Young's update to City Council reflects a change to previously known plans for the Fairgrounds. In late June 2019, the city announced it had awarded a notice of intent for Memphis developer James Maclin to redevelop 18 acres of the Fairgrounds. Under the new plan, Maclin could redevelop a small portion of those 18 acres with what could be up to 100 multi-family units and some retail, Young said. Previous plans were for several hundred more apartments and ground-floor retail. The reason for the changes, Young said, was the desire for the city to control more of the redevelopment and to create a "sense of place" at what could be a $180 million project. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Memphis Fairgrounds 19 Acres Private Mixed-Use Development Opportunity The City of Memphis is pleased to announce the availability of 19 publicly-owned acres for long-term lease for private mixed-use development. This offer is being made as part of the City's redevelopment of its Fairgrounds, consisting of 155 strategically located acres in the heart of the City. The City intends to activate two underutilized sections of the Fairgrounds - these 19 acres on the northern end and 22 acres on the southern end on which the City intends to construct a new complex focusing on youth and amateur sports, trade shows, and special events. In conjunction with the existing site components already thriving - the Children's Museum, Kroc Center, and Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium - the re-energized Fairgrounds will be a vibrant location active throughout the year. The City believes these 19 acres would be suitable for retail, apartments, offices, and hospitality and intends to provide supportive infrastructure, including a parking garage, along with other incentives that may be available. The City is seeking qualified developers to transform this area in a manner consistent with the City's vision for the Fairgrounds as a thriving, active center for sports competitions, family activities, and civic events for tourists and residents alike. This Request for Qualifications is intended to provide an opportunity for interested developers to demonstrate their interest, capacity and capability to develop these 19 acres in a manner consistent with the City's goals and vision. Responses will be evaluated based on factors including: the quality of the proposal and its support of the City's vision; the quality of the respondent team; the respondent's experience with similar and relevant projects; and the quality and success of previous projects. The City intends to invite qualified respondents to participate in a subsequent Request for Proposals. Questions and requests for clarification should be submitted to Mark Yates, Project Manager for the Fairgrounds Redevelopment Project: myates@allworldmail.com or 901-881-2985. The last day for questions will be Friday, March 9, 2018, with all answers posted by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on Monday, March 12, 2018.