From the May Issue: Main Street Journal Excerpt

By: Chance Blasdel

The Pyramid has dominated the Memphis skyline for over a decade. Yet lately, it has been sitting vacant while various retailers and developers vie for dominance in the landmark’s future. Atop the widely-varied pile is outdoor sports giant Bass Pro Shops.

The Pyramid, built in 1991, has long been a host for sporting events, traveling galleries, and various other attractions which brought both tourists and long-time residents to downtown Memphis. However, with the opening of the FedEx Forum and Peabody Place, attention has shifted away from the once-popular arena to the more modernized side of downtown. Without a large draw like the Pyramid, many businesses on the north side are losing traffic. In an area where local interests often help stimulate restaurant customers, the Pyramid-end-of-downtown is decidedly lacking in interest.

However, all that is about to change. Well, maybe.

For the past year, Bass Pro Shop has been in talks with the City of Memphis to take up residence in the mostly vacant Pyramid, a move that could revamp a dying district. So what would a retail giant like a Bass Pro Shop do with a pyramid-size space? Among the Bass Pro Shop proposals are a vast marina with live fresh-water fish, a test drive area for the full line of Tracker, Tahoe, and Nitro boats all of which are sold at all Bass Pro locations. The downtown Bass Pro Shop would also feature a fully equipped pistol, rifle, and archery range; all of this in effort to pull outdoor enthusiasts from the broad tri-state area. The revamped Pyramid would also house a sportsman-themed restaurant, a hotel, a scoreboard, and movie screen for NASCAR and other outdoor sports, as well as an indoor water fall.

I had the opportunity to speak with City Councilman E. C. Jones, and conversation eventually turned to his thoughts on the Bass Pro Shops proposal. I think it would be a great opportunity to revitalize that area of downtown, and it would bring a lot more back to that side of Memphis. Several local business owners and residents echo his sentiments, which certainly show strong support for Bass Pro Shops™ plan.

Over the past few years, downtown Memphis has undergone a serious revamping, with structures like the FedEx Forum, Peabody Place, and several new restaurants on Beale Street opening up. With half of downtown rebuilt, it’s time to focus on the other side.

For more information on downtown and Bass Pro Shop developments, visit www.downtownmemphis.com.

Today is the day we honor the fallen, the men and women who’ve paid the price. Words are usually inadequate to express the meaning of such great sacrifices, but at least we try.

Search engine giant “Google” must feel that nothing — neither word nor graphic — can adequately express the feeling since their main search web page contains nothing out of the ordinary today. That’s a bit strange, since their custom has been to decorate it with special graphics commemorating either a holiday or special event of their choice. A few recent examples included special recognition for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Percival Lowell.

That leaves us to wonder whether their silence is a statement on Memorial Day itself; soldiers in general; George W. Bush; the Civil War; World War I; World War II; the Revolutionary War; the Korean war; the Vietnam war; war itself; or Mondays in late May. Who can tell? But the lack of acknowledgment certainly solidifies the notion they are standing firmly out in left field.

It’s funny how the pendulum swings both ways. They’ve set precedent by doing tributes therefore we expect them for every holiday, but presumably honoring the fallen doesn’t “rank” very high. Hey — it’s their site and they can do anything they want with it, including dishonoring the dead soldiers who fought and died to maintain their freedom to express themselves in such a way. In the end the freedom of competition usually has a way of evening the score.

What’s happening in the United States Congress regarding immigration is historic and will affect our childrens’ future. If you don’t believe it, think back to the last time ‘reform’ was passed in 1986 and consider the outcome — our current pickle. Therefore, it’s our civic duty to understand what’s going on and communicate our resulting views to those who vote. After all, they work for us. Ahem.

The Senate just passed their version of the bill. Our Tennessee lame duck Senator Frist voted in the affirmative, while his not so lame duck colleague Lamar Alexander punched the nay button. You can figure out the politics on that one.

The competing bills in the House and Senate are in many respects similar but have some glaring differences, show-stoppers, perhaps. Found this helpful at first glance, but it doesn’t take into account side effects such as what Senator Sessions talked about, among other things.

I’ve voiced my opinion to my elected representative in DC, which is not really far askew from this one. And if a goofball like myself can contact a congressman, surely anyone can.

Bob Corker and his campaign handlers continue their refusal to debate the issues of this election, outside the comfort zone of the paid-for 30-second-television-spot.

Remember this past January? The Corker campaign refused invitation to the Main Street Journal sponsored debate here in Memphis, opting instead to head to Washington to attend a fundraiser. Ben Mitchell, campaign manager, seemed “concerned” with media involvement for the Memphis debate. Sound familiar? Well, the Corker camp is at it again, this time offering their critique on what is “serious” media in Nashville.

So who exactly is “serious media” to the Bob Corker Campaign? I mean, the panel for the Main Street Journal debate included the Commercial Appeal, the Memphis Flyer, the Bartlett Express, the Information Radio Network, and the Main Street Journal. What better list could there be from the Memphis media market? We are open to suggestions.

Mr. Corker, serious debate is not 30 seconds of paid-for smiling and waving between episodes of Desperate Housewives. If Bob Corker and his handlers are not interested in discussing the “serious” issues facing Tennessee for longer than 30 seconds, in a forum that is not paid-for or bought by campaign dollars, then he has no business running for Senator of this state, or any state.

Jonathan Lindberg
Publisher, Editor
Main Street Journal
Memphis

Corker does not plan to participate in GOP forums

Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker does not plan to participate in a series of five “town hall” forums proposed by Republican U.S. Senate rival Ed Bryant, Mr. Corker’s campaign manager said Tuesday.

Corker won’t participate in debates

U.S. Senate hopeful and former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker will not participate in a series of debates initiated by one of his Senate Republican primary challengers.