Phase 2 of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovation project begins: 'What a great day'

The hulking, yellow Kobelco rock breaker punched the first hole in the façade of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium's west side tower at 10:22 a.m. Monday.

It and three other Priestly Demolition, Inc.-operated machines spent the rest of the day chipping away at the structure, signaling the commencement of Phase 2 of the three-phase, $220 million renovation project of the University of Memphis' 59-year-old home football venue. During the next three weeks, according to interim athletic director (and deputy AD) Jeff Crane, the majority of the west side of the stadium will come down.

“What a great day,” Crane said in his opening remarks. “Today is about an investment in the university, an investment in our football program and an investment in our city. A lot to be excited about today.”

Dozens of athletic department employees and administrators joined Crane on Monday, as did Memphis Mayor Paul Young, AutoZone Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart and executives from project partners Barton Malow, Grinder Taber Grinder and MFA Program Management.

“This has been an effort many parties have played a role in,” Young said. “It takes partnership to advance our community, and that’s exactly what you see happening here. And we’re excited to be part of it.”

MFA Program Management project executive Austin White became engaged with the project in November 2022. On Monday, he said getting Phase 2 underway is perhaps the clearance of the most significant hurdle of all.

"This is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, benchmark that we've hit thus far — and it might be the largest benchmark for the entire project," White said. "Everything that had to happen to get to this point. Obviously, opening the stadium is going to be the happiest day for everyone. We can't wait, and we think the fan base is going to really go crazy for what we have planned."

The rebuild will begin this fall and is expected to be completed by the start of the 2026 football season. Until then, stadium capacity will be reduced by approximately 26,000 seats (from 58,000 to 32,000). Once the renovation is complete, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium's capacity will be approximately 50,000, said Crane.

Phase 1, which involves relocations of the press box, coaches' booths and gameday operations from the west side of the stadium to the east side, will be complete before the Tigers' season opener against North Alabama on Aug. 31 (6 p.m., ESPN+).

MEMPHIS FOOTBALL STADIUM RENOVATION: West tower seating demolition starts Monday, interim AD says

Phase 2 includes the addition of a "party patio" area to the east side of the stadium. That area will be situated behind 25 rows of seats and will have concessions and areas to watch the game. It will be open to all fans at the stadium. There will also be multiple levels of new suites and club seating.

Approximately 25,000 tons of concrete will come down throughout the course of Phase 2, but Crane said about 18,000 tons of it will be recycled. There will also be 212 panes of glass and 20,000 feet of bleacher seating (the equivalent of more than 66 football fields) removed during Phase 2, according to the athletic department.

The school, which received $120 million in state money to go toward the project, is working to raise $50 million to unlock a $50 million pledge gift from FedEx founder Fred Smith and his family. On Monday, Crane said Memphis has raised "just under" $75 million of its combined $100 million target.

“Our goal all along has been to get the (total) $100 million in commitments by the end of this calendar year,” Crane said. “We’re on track to do that currently.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Phase 2 of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovation project begins: 'What a great day'