Kroc Push May Affect Fair
Salvation Army needs $7.5 million to build community center
on land bought from city
The Salvation Army is ready for the final $7.5 million fund-raising push to make the Kroc Center a
sure thing for the Mid-South Fairgrounds.
The speed of that push could determine whether a fairgrounds institution -- the Mid-South Fair --
remains on the complex in 2008 or leaves sooner than anticipated for a new
permanent site likely outside of Memphis.
"We can't break ground until we have the money raised," said Maj. Mark Woodcock,
area commander of the Salvation Army in Memphis. "We want to educate people
what's going on. We don't want people to get the perception, 'Well, it's a done
deal'."
The Salvation Army already has raised $17.5 million toward the $25 million required as a condition
of a $50 million grant from the estate of McDonald's heiress Joan Kroc.
To raise the rest, it has hired local nonprofit development consulting firm cs duncan.
"I'm
very optimistic that the money will be raised," said Jim Duncan, president of cs
duncan. "It's such a great opportunity. ... No matter what happens at the
fairgrounds (with city-led redevelopment), the Kroc Center is going to be an
anchor."
Salvation Army officials hope to complete fund-raising in 2008 -- perhaps as early as the summer -- and
break ground soon thereafter on a 100,000-square foot, open-to-the-public
community center occupying about 15 acres on East Parkway, adjacent to Fairview
school.
That means major decisions are coming for officials of the Mid-South Fair, for whom those 15
acres -- bought by the Salvation Army from the City of Memphis for $1.6 million
-- constituted valuable space that may not be available for the 2008 fair.
If that's the case, fair officials say they need definitive word from the Salvation Army by early next
year.
"It would necessitate some real changes," fair general manager Jim Rout said of life without those 15
acres. "One, it would necessitate moving almost 50 percent of the midway that is
over in that area, swinging part of it back down toward the (Mid-South) Coliseum
parking lot or something."
"It would necessitate giving up one public restroom and one building -- a Quonset
hut sort of building -- used for emergency health. It would necessitate having
to relocate all of the campgrounds, as we call it," used by midway workers.
Rout said the campground could be relocated to the site of the old Tim McCarver Stadium, but there would
be "expense issues as well as relocation issues -- to move a campground costs
some money, because you've got wiring and other things, and water and stuff."
Or, he said, the fair -- which can remain on the grounds through 2008, by agreement with the city --
could move next year's event.
"I think that possibility certainly exists," Rout said. "The manner would be
different. We'd have to go to portable buildings and tents."
"Where would we do it? Would it be possibly in one of the areas we're looking at or
would it be an interim location somewhere?"
"None of that is known, because none of that has become a necessity at this point. But
at least it's in the back of our minds."
Rout said the fair continues to consider three possible permanent Mid-South sites: Marion, Ark.,
Millington and Tunica County, Miss.
He said it appears possible that all are feasible for 2008.
"A lot's going to be happening between now and the first quarter of '08," he said.
That's a sentiment shared by Salvation Army officials, who sound as if their 15 acres won't be
available, come fair time next year.
In fact, Kroc Center director of operations Steve Carpenter said he expects the Quonset hut and
restroom building to be torn down within the coming months.
Asked if the Salvation Army land would be unavailable for other fairgrounds tenants next fall,
Carpenter said, "That's true," based on his hope that fund-raising could end in
the summer and construction would quickly follow.
Woodcock, however, suggested that fund-raising may take until this time in 2008.
-- David Williams: 529-2310
Mid-South Fairgrounds future
Key issues at the 170-acre complex:
Will the Mid-South Fair remain on the grounds for one more go-around in 2008? Or will it bolt for Marion, Millington or Tunica County?
Will the Salvation Army raise the final $7.5 million needed to make its Kroc Center a reality?
Will the city decide to renovate Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium or replace it?
Will the city finally move forward on overall fairgrounds redevelopment, which could include
everything from major retail to park-like settings?
|
