Tell me about the Pyramid (Memphis, Central: home, university, tax) - Tennessee (TN) - City-Data Forum

mjpinto · 10-01-2007, 09:57 AM

Does anyone know the history of the Pyramid? It's such a large, unusual, and fun structure. We pass it every day and every time I think - why is it so desolate?

Why isn't it being used? What was it's originally intent?

Pearlbob · 10-01-2007, 10:27 AM

It has been empty since the Fed Ex Forum was built. It was built for concerts, sports, and traveling works. The Memphis Tigers and the Grizzlies played there until the Forum was opened. The Pyramid was designed horribly, was extremely uncomfortable, and not a great place to watch things. The Forum is 100x better and is modern with modern amenities than any concert/sporting arena needs.

Cellist · 10-01-2007, 10:35 AM

What about Bass Pro Shops plan? Is that still alive?

Dd714 · 10-01-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjpinto

Does anyone know the history of the Pyramid? It's such a large, unusual, and fun structure. We pass it every day and every time I think - why is it so desolate?

Why isn't it being used? What was it's originally intent?

It's Memphis's very own temple to local government waste, inefficiency, and political corruption.
There it sits, multimillion dollar structure that lays empty. Last I heard they were planning to sell it to a outdoor sports store for pennies on the dollar, but even they don't want it. But, hey, lots of local politicians got rich building it, so that's cool.

strumpeace · 10-01-2007, 12:06 PM

IIRC, the Pyramid was a Dick Hackett thing, proving that not all bad ideas come from the current administration.

I remember thinking the Pyramid was the coolest place on earth the first time I went there to see a U of M game.

Bruce Springsteen put on a hell of a good show there on my 24th birthday.

defiepilex · 10-01-2007, 01:23 PM

I love the pyramid. I hope to god that it doesn't become a Bass Pro Shops.

Dd714 · 10-01-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strumpeace

IIRC, the Pyramid was a Dick Hackett thing, proving that not all bad ideas come from the current administration.

I remember thinking the Pyramid was the coolest place on earth the first time I went there to see a U of M game.

Bruce Springsteen put on a hell of a good show there on my 24th birthday.

Yeah I could have sworn it was a King Willie thing, sounds like something he would do - finance a multimillion $ stadium, get his buddies to build it with lots of tax money exchanging hands, and then let it sit empty and abandoned, but it was built in 1991 right during the start of his reign. I guess they got a few years of use out of it at least.

JMSTiger · 10-01-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dd7I4

Yeah I could have sworn it was a King Willie thing, sounds like something he would do - finance a multimillion $ stadium, get his buddies to build it with lots of tax money exchanging hands, and then let it sit empty and abandoned, but it was built in 1991 right during the start of his reign. I guess they got a few years of use out of it at least.

It was built in 1990 and 1991. Herenton did not take office until January 1, 1992. If you have problems with the Pyramid, don't blame it on King Willie. He had absolutely nothing to do with it. That thing was pushed by then Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris and then Memphis Mayor Dick Hackett. The University of Memphis (at the time, Memphis State University) wanted to build an on-campus basketball arena on Central, north of the campus. Morris, Hackett and even the Governor twisted the arm of the president of the University (Dr. Thomas Carpenter) to not build the on-campus arena, but instead support and invest in the Pyramid Arena concept. Carpenter resisted for a while, but then gave in. Carpenter put $13 million of University money into the project. It was a horrible mistake.

The Pyramid Arena was home to the Tiger basketball program for just 13 seasons (1991-2005).

Dd714 · 10-01-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMSTiger

It was built in 1990 and 1991. Herenton did not take office until January 1, 1992. If you have problems with the Pyramid, don't blame it on King Willie. He had absolutely nothing to do with it..

Huh????? I thought I clearly acknowleded that. Just was saying it SOUNDS like something he would do.

JMSTiger · 10-01-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dd7I4

Huh????? I thought I clearly acknowleded that. Just was saying it SOUNDS like something he would do.

I agree that it sounds like something he would do. All I was attempting to do was to add a little more background on the whole origin of the Pyramid Arena. You obviously are clueless on the subject.

By the way, you clearly stated "but it was built in 1991 right during the start of his reign". It is correct that it was built partially in 1991, but that was not the start of King Willie's reign. Again, he did not become mayor until January 1, 1992. The first event in the Pyramid occurred in October of 1991.