As a native Memphian — and, yes, biased toward keeping the memories of my childhood alive — I can’t imagine Memphis without the Mid-South Coliseum.
Times with Dave Brown and Jerry “The King” Lawler and at Central High School graduations and my first Memphis State University Tigers game (I guess that shows some age) were all spent there. I grew up in Midtown and spent my summers at the Fairgrounds. My sister got to go to concerts there. The Coliseum was the shrine to all things cool. So, the building held future aspirations for me and countless others.
Even today, as it sits vacant, global tourists make it a “must-stop” to take their picture in front of Elvis’ home concert hall. Beatlemaniacs stop by to see where John, Paul, George, and Ringo had to apologize for saying they were “bigger than Jesus.” Fans nationwide see the Coliseum as a cathedral to the history and sport of wrestling. Just ask where Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson got his start next time he comes to film at one of our historic sites in Memphis.
Your eyes don’t deceive as you drive around the immense parking lot. Those memories were long ago, and the place has been empty for years. Why not tear down? Simply put, not all buildings were created equal and the Coliseum was built better than most.
At a time when supplies run short and we all know the costs incurred with construction (not to mention possible new taxes), why not reuse what we have? Take a trip around the surrounding area and you can find empty land to build an amazing stadium, within the footprint of the Fairgrounds area.
I learned from my predecessor, June West, that if you think it can’t be saved … think again. She, as well as so many advocates across our city, have countless stories of working together with developers and city and state officials and coming together to compromise, while still having a thriving and growing economic opportunity. Whether it’s a revolutionized Crosstown Concourse, a revitalized South Main corridor, or the new culinary destination of the Edge District, Memphis knows how to adapt and reuse, not to mention bring jobs, spur economic growth, and give a much-needed boost in revitalizing neighborhoods.
If that is the only location possible, what does saving a “portion” of the Coliseum mean? Memphis Heritage has a successful history working with development partners on these projects, including the Chick-fil-A on Union and the new Caption by Hyatt Downtown — facades can be part of an amazing facility.
However, that is not what was shown. History can’t be replicated, but new stadiums … well, they can always be built and, in some cases, become a great retail space. Yes, the Pyramid is saved, but not the Coliseum.
I, as well as many of my advocate partners, are not naïve. We win some and lose some (RIP Napoleon Hill Mansion, our first loss, back in 1975). Although the loss may be inevitable, we need not speed up time by demolishing before the money is in the bank and final plans are approved. Unfortunately, this happens far too often in our city.
Currently, our members are finding a home for the ironwork left over from the torn-down, historic dog pound building at the corner of North Front and A.W. Willis Avenue. Why was it torn down without a final plan and full funding in place? The hotel never came and the building no longer remains.
I am excited to see the new Brooks campus Downtown, but why tear down a building before its time? The parking lot next door is due to come down as well. Please let the checks clear first.
Our mayor and city council members have been part of many of the successful projects listed above. I know they share our interest in ridding the blight that our city suffers from: crumbling buildings. Demolishing these buildings before their time only further increases this ugly scar on our hometown. It was a campaign focus for many running for office in our city and one we all agree on, no matter what the political stripe. Shiny and new has its place and not every building with some years on it deserves to be saved.
I want to see Memphis grow and prosper. It is why I moved back to my hometown to raise my daughter. I love the idea of our city growing and becoming an even larger economic powerhouse.
But if we lose our history, our soul, our bones (aka our historic buildings), are we still Memphis? That is what we will learn over the coming months. I hope we protect what makes Memphis unique — why it is the city I invested my family’s future in and the city that Memphis Heritage will always protect and preserve.
Leah Fox-Greenberg is the CEO of Memphis Heritage Inc.