http://www.localmemphis.com/story/d/story/bass-pro-pyramid-a-decade-in-the-making/39757/iG7SZStKoUCZOMNN_swd0A
Bass Pro Pyramid: A Decade In The Making
MEMPHIS, TN (localmemphis.com) -- Today is a day many Memphians never thought would happen.
In fact, former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton even warned that Bass Pro may have had Memphis on the hook for an old bait and switch. But obviously that did not happen.
"My message to Bass Pro would be to fish or cut bait. You've delayed making this decision. There have been excuses after excuses. We need to make the deal happen or leave it alone," former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton said.
The city's Director of Housing and Community Development, Robert Lipscomb, would not walk away from the project. Even when he was advised to do what Mayor Herenton said. Fish or cut bait on the project some called nothing but a big bait and tackle shop on the Mississippi River.
"I had some doubts myself a few times. Oh yeah, because of the evolution and the length of time because of the sheer weight of the issues coming at you. And people were coming at you," Lipscomb said.
Every now and then there were signs of life.
The pyramid opened in 1993. A statue of Ramesses the second guarded the Tomb of Doom.
In April of 2012, Ramesses was given the heave ho and sent to the University of Memphis.
"I think it's a good choice. They have an Egyptology collection out there and it’s the best place for it," Thomas Woodley said.
The question remained whether The Pyramid was the best place for a bass pro store.
It was a massive job. And frankly, at least according to Robert Lipscomb, it would have been a lot easier for Bass Pro to build a brand new store from scratch.
"Bass Pro usually built from the ground up. And so it was this monstrosity. Saying...well what are you going to do with this Pyramid. It was bigger than anything they'd ever done. It was the Pyramid. So they had to change everything," Lipscomb said.
Nothing really got going until the city finished doing earthquake work on the building.
Then, things started to move.
"It's going to be a place that you will want to bring your family down and just look. The floor is going to look like an old Mississippi River Swamp," professional fisherman Bill Dance said.
This is a place that has the touch of Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris all over it.
"Every little detail in that Pyramid is his. Every detail is his. Down to the door handle," Lipscomb said.
This mega store is not just for shoppers. It's a major shot in the arm for the Memphis economy.
This Bass Pro Shop will employee at least 600 full time employees and is expected to revive the Pinch District.
In fact, former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton even warned that Bass Pro may have had Memphis on the hook for an old bait and switch. But obviously that did not happen.
"My message to Bass Pro would be to fish or cut bait. You've delayed making this decision. There have been excuses after excuses. We need to make the deal happen or leave it alone," former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton said.
The city's Director of Housing and Community Development, Robert Lipscomb, would not walk away from the project. Even when he was advised to do what Mayor Herenton said. Fish or cut bait on the project some called nothing but a big bait and tackle shop on the Mississippi River.
"I had some doubts myself a few times. Oh yeah, because of the evolution and the length of time because of the sheer weight of the issues coming at you. And people were coming at you," Lipscomb said.
Every now and then there were signs of life.
The pyramid opened in 1993. A statue of Ramesses the second guarded the Tomb of Doom.
In April of 2012, Ramesses was given the heave ho and sent to the University of Memphis.
"I think it's a good choice. They have an Egyptology collection out there and it’s the best place for it," Thomas Woodley said.
The question remained whether The Pyramid was the best place for a bass pro store.
It was a massive job. And frankly, at least according to Robert Lipscomb, it would have been a lot easier for Bass Pro to build a brand new store from scratch.
"Bass Pro usually built from the ground up. And so it was this monstrosity. Saying...well what are you going to do with this Pyramid. It was bigger than anything they'd ever done. It was the Pyramid. So they had to change everything," Lipscomb said.
Nothing really got going until the city finished doing earthquake work on the building.
Then, things started to move.
"It's going to be a place that you will want to bring your family down and just look. The floor is going to look like an old Mississippi River Swamp," professional fisherman Bill Dance said.
This is a place that has the touch of Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris all over it.
"Every little detail in that Pyramid is his. Every detail is his. Down to the door handle," Lipscomb said.
This mega store is not just for shoppers. It's a major shot in the arm for the Memphis economy.
This Bass Pro Shop will employee at least 600 full time employees and is expected to revive the Pinch District.
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