Liberty Stadium renovation ‘mobilizing this week’

By Frank Bonner II – Daily Memphian

May 21, 2024

Breaking ground on Phase 1 of the three-part renovation to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will begin between now and early next week, according to Grinder, Taber & Grinder vice president Ben Cooper.

Grinder, Taber & Grinder is the local general contractor partnering with lead contractor Barton Malow on the $220 million renovation project at the stadium that houses the Memphis Tigers football team.

Cooper said a superintendent is already on site conducting exploration and beginning mobilization.

“We’re mobilizing really this week,” Cooper said. “Construction starts between now and Monday (May 27). Getting boots on the ground with workers actively building will likely be around May 28.

“I’ve got a superintendent on site studying the plans and working through logistics on how we begin.”

The stadium renovation was first announced in May 2022. Two years later, construction is beginning. The project is divided into three phases.

Phase 1 includes renovating the second level of suites on the east side of the stadium. This prepares for relocating the press box and game-day operations from the west side and sets up Phase 2, which will include the majority of the construction work.

All three phases are expected to be completed before the start of the 2026 season.

Grinder, Taber & Grinder, a Memphis-based company with more than 50 years of experience, is partnering with Barton Malow and working alongside local project management firm AllWorld on the renovation.

The project is supported by $120 million in funding from the state of Tennessee and a $50 million matching gift pledge from FedEx founder Fred Smith and his family.