A $5 million funding resolution for renovations at AutoZone Park passed on a third reading walk-off during the Tuesday, June 23, Memphis City Council meeting.
Council members agreed 11-0 to fund “critical” repairs at the Triple-A stadium, home to the Memphis Redbirds, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Last year, the council approved a similar $5 million funding resolution for the ballpark. Both resolutions will be funded with a bond issuance.
The money will be allocated to fire safety equipment upgrades and new HVAC systems, which were both installed in 2000. More safety netting also will be installed behind home plate to protect new clubhouse seating. The improvements are aimed at bringing the 26-year-old stadium up to Major League Baseball standards.
“It is an asset that has gone into disrepair. There are critical issues in which we’ve had to invest in that particular asset,” said Antonio Adams, City of Memphis chief operating officer. “As we move forward, it would be a more collaborative process and conversation as to how we program the asset.”
The Redbirds also “envision that asset can be used for more than one use,” said Adams.
During an earlier discussion about the ballpark, some council members said they are dissatisfied with average game attendance, which is about 3,000, according to Baseball America, a sports media and analysis company. But others noted the importance of rehabilitating a major downtown attraction.
“We can’t just let our baseball park go into disrepair. This is no different if you are talking about AutoZone Park, or the FedEx Forum, or anything we own,” said council member J. Ford Canale. “Regardless of how you feel about it, one way or the other, it is our asset. We have to maintain it no matter who is there. The very last thing that the City of Memphis needs is another vacant sports arena, especially in the heart of downtown.”
Prior to an executive committee voice vote, Canale’s reasoning was tested. Council member Jeff Warren proposed taking $500,000 of ballpark funding and putting it toward the Memphis Zoo’s multiyear $250 million capital improvement plan for “catastrophic” issues, like repairs “so animals don’t die.”
“It’s the same logic you’re giving me here. It’s something we own,” said Warren, who withdrew his proposal when Adams expressed uncertainty regarding whether the bond money could be diverted to another city-owned property.
