City of Memphis seeks designer for new stadium
Liberty Park facility would be the future home for the 901 FC
The city of Memphis is seeking a designer for its new multi-use stadium at Liberty Park, which has been targeted as the future home for Memphis 901 FC.
The stadium would be “expected to include 6,500 to 8,000” seats and involve the demolition of the Midsouth Coliseum according to a Request for Information issued by the city.
The target budget for the construction would be just over $52 million with plans to start construction in January 2024 and be completed by March 17, 2025.
The 901 FC have played at Autozone Park since the club’s inception in 2019. The Mid-south Coliseum has been closed since 2006. Liberty Park already includes the recent completion of the Memphis Sports and Events Center.
Last year, Mayor Jim Strickland proposed $350 million from the state for renovations to several sports venues, including Simmons Bank Liberty
Stadium and Fedexforum. Earlier this month, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee included some of the renovations in his proposal for the state’s upcoming budget this fiscal year.
The state money, however, was earmarked for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and Fedexforum, not Autozone Park or the Mid-south Coliseum soccer stadium. The plans also must be approved by lawmakers and House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Rcrossville, has said he’s in favor of the funding.
The RFI was posted Feb. 9. The City will hold a pre-submission meeting for designers on Thursday with proposals due on March 2. The city expects to select an architect by March 14, with the architect beginning work around March 29.
The stadium, which will also host concerts, festivals and other community events, is expected to include 10-15 private suites, group sales and gathering areas, a Stadium Club and banquet facility to accommodate up to 250 and a natural grass playing field, according to the document.
Its footprint will likely cover five to six acres, not including the entrance plaza, secured player and staff parking and truck docks.
The City will hold a pre-submission meeting for designers on Thursday with proposals due on March 2.