http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/n...hit-fedex.html

Couple this with Amazon's now over 40 contracted plane fleet of of 767Fs and I'll continue to maintain that FedEx needs to enter commercial passenger using the multiple daily flights to move products in the bellies of a fleet of turbo props like the Q400 for the short routes and the new CS100 and 300 for the longer routes. They could finally offer a LCC model where the add on fees were not the revenue drivers but the packages in the bellies for same day delivery service.

Let's say anyone in Dallas,.Houston, SanJose, Boston .Detriot, Pittsburgh, Orlando, Portland can order a pair of Nike by noon their time and stand a chance to have them that night night via the Nike DCs in Memphis. That's the possibility of a FedEx LCC airline used to explode same day delivery and making overnight the new 2 day.

Bass Pro Still interested in Mud island
 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news...379425921.html Deep Pockets Bass Pro taking a strong look @ Mud Island. I believe this was on their minds when they first agreed to pyramid project. This could be an extension of the mega store. The article states a Casino Hotel. I remember reading a while back RDC purchased a boat and planned to use it as a floating hotel. Don't be surprised if Bass pro becomes the developer on this project they have the financial wherewithal to make this a reality.

Bass Pro Still interested in Mud island
 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news...379425921.html Deep Pockets Bass Pro taking a strong look @ Mud Island. I believe this was on their minds when they first agreed to pyramid project. This could be an extension of the mega store. The article states a Casino Hotel. I remember reading a while back RDC purchased a boat and planned to use it as a floating hotel. Don't be surprised if Bass pro becomes the developer on this project they have the financial wherewithal to make this a reality.

Lets not for get this.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville...-lawmaker.html

Here is the proposed resolution: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/109/...mobilecgbypass

Refering to the article:

Mr. Cates. That is your fault for not conveying your thoughts clearly. You have four publications that would happily tell what you envisioned. Fact is you said Yurts and a starting point of 10 million screams cheap. Where are your conceptual plans, your vision in something other than words. Ericson at least gave us artistic concepts when pitching Pyramid Adventure. (That wasn't a bad concept being the theme park and water park were enclosed and year round. Think heavy holiday and spring break use) I now know that you yurt may be more like those you see at high end African Safari resorts. Your vision is still underwhelming.

As for Bass Pro...

I still think it lacks overall. I do not like the idea of country music only and while a hunter and outdoorsman, I want something more inclusive to all without so much emphasis on wildlife. It's why I like the cohesive feel of the attractions at Tivoli in Copenhagen with its ride being a common color and with similar embellishments.

What are your plans for the museum? I still think a modernization with 5he Soarin' style upcharge attraction would be a grand slam and year round in appeal. I also would love to see a legit aquarium, at least something of the quality of one's in Nawlins, Chattanooga, Tulsa, Pigeon Forge. Something like Atlanta would be amazing but that would take a major gift. I will wat an see your revamped Wonders of Wildlife Museum and aquarium to see your attempt at a truly large scale aquarium.

On Margaritaville. I have suggested right here on the Memphis forum that it would a good ideal for the southern end around the Gulf of the Riverwalk with a lodge of around 100 to 200 rooms like the hotel at Kemah Boardwalk with shops and restaurants on the lower level. The whole island scares me. I'm mixed on the casino as well. There are three non casino Margaritaville resorts out there.

The Pigeon Forge one that is part of The Island development with the big ferris wheel.

The one under construction in Biloxi that will not have a casino.

The Resort in Orlando that will be part water park, time share and hotel currently under construction.

Overall, this is more like it. I want more ideas and more proposals. I just think we really haven't pushed it hard enough to outside parties and just except them t come to the city. I have reasons to think that, the City bid on the SEC baseball tourney but seems lackadaisical in securing it by missing or stepping out on conference calls with the league according to folks I know from two of the closer schools that would love to see it in Memphis.

More Student Housing For University District
Daily News & Chandler Reports staff

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/new...sity-district/

Interesting article about the Nashville lawmaker pushing for legalized gambling. I believe there was a recent CA article about horse racing making a comeback in the state of Tennessee with Steeplechase and allowing gambling on those races.

Maybe there is a change in opinion about gambling in the state.

A combination of the two would be the way to go, See Southland and Oaklawn. I doubt there's a change but with the explosion of Indian gaming continuing to keep it illegal is like the stupidity of dry counties.

Retail, Amenities Embellish Highland Row Development
By Madeline Faber/ Memphis Daily News

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/new...w-development/

photo (Daily News/Andrew J. Breig)
https://www.memphisdailynews.com/Edi...&maxHeight=600

Long hospital saga could end well for Crittenden County
Michael Sheffield, Senior Reporter/ Memphis Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/n...rittenden.html

Hilton Garden INN Downtown. Why the delay?
 

What is going on with the Hotel development on union? It was supposed to be completed this month.



Hilton Worldwide Announces Hilton Garden Inn Development in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee
December 17, 2013 | This information originated in American English.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a license agreement to operate a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in downtown Memphis, Tenn. The new-build, 140-room Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown, expected to open in May 2016, will be owned and managed by Turkey Creek Hospitality.

"We're thrilled about the signing of a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in the heart of Memphis, home to our Hilton Worldwide Memphis Commercial Services Center and Hilton Garden Inn brand," said Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn. "By working with Turkey Creek Hospitality, we will bring our brand of upscale, yet affordable hotels to travelers experiencing the musical flavor and energy of The Bluff City."

Forming part of the award-winning, mid-priced brand that delivers high quality and value, Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown, located at 235 Union Avenue, will be the first Hilton Garden Inn property in downtown Memphis, joining an existing Memphis-Southaven property, as well as Hilton Garden Inn Memphis-Wolfchase, scheduled to open in July 2015. The new downtown hotel will be just minutes from BBQ and blues music on iconic Beale Street and within walking distance to city highlights including the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum, BB King's Blues Club, Orpheum Theatre, and the home of the Memphis Grizzlies, The FedExForum.

A great option for both business and leisure travelers, Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown will offer guests a combination of best-in-class customer service together with affordable comfort and convenience of the Hilton Garden Inn brand's signature features, like its pressure-reducing Garden Sleep System® bed, ergonomic Mirra® chair by Herman Miller, LCD high-definition, flat-screen television, a spacious work desk, a "hospitality center" that features a mini refrigerator and Keurig single-cup coffee brewer in every guest room, and complimentary Internet access.

The hotel will boast a range of guest amenities including a health club, an indoor pool, a 24-hour business center, 3000 square feet of meeting space, a lobby lounge, dining at American Grill, and the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® shop with a selection of delicious readymade meals, beverages and snacks.

The hotel will also participate in Hilton HHonors® , the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates at more than 3,800 hotels worldwide.

For more information about this hotel and upcoming openings of the Hilton Garden Inn brand, guests should visit www.hiltongardeninn.com or www.news.hgi.com.

Contact:
Dawn Ray
Hilton Worldwide - Global
+1 901 374 5954
dawn.ray@hilton.com

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, comprising more than 4,660 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with nearly 765,000 rooms in 102 countries and territories. For 96 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The compa

I'm not sure why the delay but I think there's a link a few pages back regarding this hotel, the Holiday Inn Express next to it and the Homewood on Vance near the Chisca all got approved at once by the city council and construction should start soon. There was a fence around the property finally the last time I drove by. The La Quinta farther up at Danny Thomas is well underway also.

^^^ Very cool footage! ^^^ :cool:

Finally, the eyesore apartments at the corner of East & North Parkway.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7795/...2e3cf1701c.jpgIMG_0109 by JohnnyAaronRyall, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/...92a54a71af.jpgIMG_0105 by JohnnyAaronRyall, on Flickr

Wanted to share this:

http://talkbusiness.net/2016/05/john...tival-in-2017/

This may become an important cog in the music tourism Curcuit that's been developing in the Delta that Memphis is a hub of. It's one of the reasons I believe that the mere mention of Memphis as a possible destination of an airline like Norweigian for nonstop transatlantic flights isn't so farfetched as some believe. Couple it with the burgeoning river cruise business where Memphis is a major start/stop point, and the shear attractiness of well below $1000 fares that may stimulate folks to go to Europe that otherwise wouldn't. I can easily see them assign a plane that covered Memphis, New Orleans and Nashville. 2018/2019 could be big years for Memphis, Viking should be up and going and the airport should be getting underway for the concourse redo.

MID-South Coliseum
 

Finally some long awaited progress on the possible renovation of MSC. The city has dropped the ball on this IMO. MSC is a historic building that should have been shown some TLC, we have lost tons of revenue in this city to mississippi namely snowden grove & landers center. Other cities LA (Forum) NC(reynoldsColiseum) Charlotte(Bojangles Coliseum) & others have put money into their historic buildings & it has been a success for them. Our leaders really need to get this right. Here's a Link.


http://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog...r-public-tours

Methodist moving forward on $280M expansion
Michael Sheffield, Senior Reporter/ Memphis Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/n...expansion.html

rendering COURTESY OF METHODIST LE BONHEUR HEALTHCARE
http://media.bizj.us/view/img/974181...dist-tower.jpg

UTHSC names director of new patient safety center
Michael Sheffield, Senior Reporter/ Memphis Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/n...ty-center.html

MBJ
http://media.bizj.us/view/img/975578...-rendering.jpg

DMC Wants to Connect Successful South End to South City
By Madeline Faber Updated 2:27PM
https://www.memphisdailynews.com/new...to-south-city/



Does anyone remember hearing about a mixed-use project at the Carolina/Riverside area? I had not heard in a while and assumed it fell through. I think I recall an article saying they hoped to have some sort of grocery or maybe a brewery/taproom. would be cool if that's the case.

"He also plans a mixed-use development on Riverside Drive across from the Artesian condos. The first phase would have 100 or 120 units in a six- to eight-story tower, but that project isn’t as far along as the development on Carolina."



Also with all the talk recently of master plans for the Pinch and Edge, as well as the redevelopment of Foote Homes I've been waiting for more news to come out or at least some sort of plans/ideas:

"Patterson said fewer developers are seeking incentives to build in the South Main neighborhood, which indicates that the area has finally hit its stride. With its work completed, the DMC is turning its attention to the fringes of Downtown like the Edge District, the Pinch District and South City."


"The one thing we don’t want to have happen is a wall go up between South City and the rest of Downtown,” Patterson said. “We’re trying our best to make sure we can connect the South End/South Main area with the G.E. Patterson corridor and South City. So we are working on a new incentive program to make sure we can provide some retail and commercial incentives that will go right along the edge where South City and South Main abut, to make sure we can make it a really seamless neighborhood"