AutoZone Park is getting a $6.5 million makeover.
Changes in store for the upcoming Memphis Redbirds season include LED videoboard displays, new dining and drinking destinations, an expanded and upgraded club level and two new grass seating areas.
Redbirds general manager Craig Unger said fans will notice the changes as soon as they enter AutoZone Park. The renovations will be by far the most extensive the park has experienced since it opened in 2000 as the crown jewel of Downtown Memphis’ renaissance.
“Enjoying a game at AutoZone Park will be a first-class fan experience unsurpassed in Minor League Baseball,” said William DeWitt Jr., chairman and CEO of the St. Louis Cardinals. “Families won’t want to miss seeing a game in this amazing ballpark.”
A 2014 deal between the city of Memphis and the St. Louis Cardinals called for the MLB franchise to own its Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate while the city acquired AutoZone Park. The Cardinals operate the stadium under a long-term lease agreement with the city.
As part of that agreement, $4.5 million in bond proceeds were set aside to fund capital improvements. The Cardinals organization is chipping in $2 million more to cover the balance.
Renovations at the Downtown ballpark are already underway and should be completed in time for the home team’s exhibition game on April 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Montgomery Martin Contractors is handling the construction. Kansas City firm Pendulum Studio II LLC is the project architect.
The changes, including the removal of more than 3,000 seats, will result in a 25 percent capacity reduction for the ballpark. Its post-renovation capacity will be 10,000.
Details of the overall project include:
- A 14-foot by 140-foot HD LED video wall will be installed in left field as well as two three-foot by 150-foot HD LED ribbon boards along the first and third base facades. A new barbecue-themed food area will be built on the outfield concourse in right field. More baseball fans can “sit on the bluff” thanks to the addition of two new grass berm seating areas in the left and right field corners.
- On the second floor, the removal of four existing suites behind home plate will create a larger indoor group space with retractable windows, more TVs and a full-service bar. Four existing suites in right field are being removed to make way for an all-inclusive club which will feature retractable windows, a full-service bar, indoor/outdoor seating, pool tables and TVs. Tickets to this premium area include all food, soft drinks, draft beer and house wines.
- Another new game experience will be the four-top tables. The semi-circle tables will consist of four, 360-degree swiveling stadium seats in four club level sections. Each table includes a pre-game buffet, in-seat service and soft drinks.
- All of the remaining 29 suites will be renovated with new flooring, furniture, drink rails and wall and ceiling finishes. Non-digital signage and graphics throughout the park will be upgraded as well. Busier parts of the concourse will be expanded, additional TV screens throughout the public areas will be added and existing concession stands will be renovated.
- A full-scale field renovation also will take place.
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