State approves Memphis’ $125M tourism zone expansion

The Commercial Appeal reports the expansion and redevelopment of Mud Island were approved Tuesday. It will include an aquarium. The city hopes to bring the Brooks Museum to a new Riverfront Cultural Center that’s connected to the island by a pedestrian bridge. (Photo: Mud Island River Park/Facebook)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tennessee Building Commission has approved Memphis’ $125 million plan to expand its Downtown tourism zone.

The Commercial Appeal reports the expansion and redevelopment of Mud Island were approved Tuesday. It will include an aquarium. The city hopes to bring the Brooks Museum to a new Riverfront Cultural Center that’s connected to the island by a pedestrian bridge. The project was initially estimated to cost $225 million. Housing and Community Development Director Paul Young has said the project will be paid for by sales taxes collected by the zone, donations and private investment.

The project is part of the Bicentennial Gateway Project that aims to redesign the Interstate 40 gateway into Downtown. City Chief Operations Officer Doug McGowen says the city hopes to complete the aquarium in 2023.