PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of Memphis applied for a Tourism Development Zone (TDZ) designation for the Memphis Fairgrounds and the surrounding three-mile radius. Several public and stakeholder meetings and frequent updates to the City Of Memphis Senior Leadership Team were conducted as part of the process. The application included an in-depth analysis of tax revenue financial projections, legal considerations, presentation of a master vision, and facility planning, including a mixed-use attraction centered around a 60 million dollar youth sports facility.

OUR ROLE
Phase 1: Grant Planning and Management
Created project management charter and communications plan

• Coordinated public outreach resources

• Coordinated with the team to develop a master vision for the site

• Provided GIS services to assist with site and surrounding area analysis

• Provided drone camera and video services to document the existing site

• Coordinated team members to compile TDZ application components

• Assisted with presentations to elected officials, city council, and county commission

Phase 2: Program Management
In December 2018, the State of Tennessee approved the fairgrounds for state approval. AWPM, with Joint Venture Partner Vieste, LLC operating as Fairgrounds Partners, LLC, entered into a contract to provide full program management services.

• Serve in a “like staff” capacity and drive overall redevelopment effort through planning and design, financing, and construction phases of component projects as outlined below.

• Provide effective and efficient program management to ensure delivery of the redevelopment program on time and on budget. 

• Assist the City in identifying & retaining the following professional services:

  - Developer for mixed-use hospitality & retail 
  - Architect for Sports and Events Complex
  - Operator for Sports and Events Complex
  - Engineer for site infrastructure
  - Retailer private development opportunities

• Provide effective communications to prospective tenants, area stakeholders, neighboring institutions and neighborhoods, and the general public in a manner consistent with the communications protocol previously established.

Phase 3: Project Finance

• Coordinate with the City Finance Division and its advisors in the planning for the approval and issuance of    bonds for the Tourism Development Zone

  - Prepare/oversee the preparation of portions of the bond package as needed
  - Support City Finance Division on TDZ Bond underwriting and marketing

• Oversee, drive, and coordinate monetization of private revenue streams:

  - Naming rights, sponsorships, and related revenue opportunities

    - Philanthropic contributions

  - Historic tax credits (if chosen by the City)

• Coordinate with City on the assembly of capital improvement program (CIP) and general funding as required for capital stack
  Execute other elements of the Capital Development Plan

• Monitor the pursuit of the Retail & Hospitality (PDO). Assist the private developer in the identification and recruitment of tenants, as directed by the City

• After approval from the City, identify and pursue opportunities to maximize revenues generated by public and/or private development throughout the TDZ, particularly along streets adjacent to the Fairgrounds campus.