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City Council approves Tigers' move to Forum

After Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton presented his budget for2005 fiscal year to a boisterous crowd, the Memphis Tigers quietlygained city council approval Tuesday for a move to FedExForum.

Just minutes after Herenton -- and most of the crowd -- left thecouncil chambers, council members voted 10-1, with one abstention,to permit $350,000 of interest from FedExForum construction bondsto be used in the building of collegiate locker rooms in the brandnew facility.

University of Memphis President Shirley Raines was on hand forthe decision, which ensures two things -- the Tigers will playtheir fall home opener in the new venue and The Pyramid no longerhas a consistent tenant.

The council's decision to commit public funds comes just twomonths after they vetoed a resolution that would have paid TheUniversity $125,000 a year for 20 years as part of therelocation.

At Tuesday's meeting, council member Myron Lowery voted againstthe proposed contract, while Carol Chumney abstained.

The Personnel, Intergovernmental and Annexation Committee,headed by council member Tom Marshall, discussed the resolutionearlier Tuesday during committee meetings.

Marshall opened the discussion by saying his committeerecommended approval of the resoultion. The vote followed, and justtwo minutes after Marshall's opening remarks, council chairman JoeBrown capped the discussion -- and over two years of negotiationbetween The University and the Grizzlies -- with a message toRaines: "Thank you so much Dr. Raines, we're looking forward toseeing the first game in the FedExForum."

The quickness and ease with which the decision was reachedrepresented a stark contrast with earlier negotiations.

On April 1, the Tennessee Board of Regents discussed whether ornot to permit the sale of alcohol at Tigers' games in FedExForum, astipulation Grizzlies executives said was necessary fornegotiations to continue.

Despite concerns among members about allowing the sale leadingup to these discussions, board members decided not to interferewith the stipulation.

In February the county commission and the city council bothunanimously rejected resolutions that would have paid TheUniversity a total of $250,000 a year for 20 years for the move,forcing The University to come up with an alternative source ofincome.

At the Feb. 17 meeting, Marshall was one of 12 members who saidthe Tigers should stay in The Pyramid.

"I am not in favor of The University of Memphis leaving ThePyramid," Marshall said on Feb. 17. " The Pyramid was built to playTiger basketball."

At that meeting, council members also expressed concern aboutleaving the building vacant with no recourse.

"The Pyramid has zero value if the Tigers don't continue to playbasketball there," Marshall said at the time.

Presently, some Memphis students share similar concerns.

"The only thing I disagree with is the Tigers had a life longcommitment to The Pyramid," said junior Biology major D.J. Irving."On top of that, what's going to happen with The Pyramid?"

While a suitable use for The Pyramid has not been determined,the Tiger's move will now give the city flexibility to look atalternative for it.

The move will also save the city money on yearly operations andmaintenance at The Pyramid. Estimates show the cost of running thebuilding will now drop from $1.3 million with the Tigers to$500,000 without them.


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