Hundreds gathered at AutoZone Park Tuesday afternoon for a rally in support of the city’s purchase of the ballpark ahead of an expected vote on the deal by the Memphis City Council during their full meeting at 3:30 p.m.
Council members were approached by Memphis mayor A C Wharton and his administration at the beginning of December for a deal that would have the city buy the park from an investment firm for $20 million. Votes on the final deal were pushed back twice as council members got familiar with the project. Council members did approve a counter offer of $15 million for the park during their last discussion on the project on December 9.
Memphis public relations firm Archer>Malmo organized Tuesday’s rally. The crowd gathered were given free hot dogs, hot chocolate, Redbirds baseball hats and beanies, and march placards. Members of the Redbirds Foundation and St. Louis Cardinals whipped up the crowd with rousing speeches.
The crowd marched from the park at Union and Third to Memphis City Hall. You can follow the action on Twitter with the hashtag #rallyforthepark.
