"Music runs through our blood, so any type of music venue is automatically loved and beloved, said Jerred Price, Downtown Neighborhood Association President.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. For years, the Mud Island Amphitheater has set idle with no concerts, events, and structural damage, but theres a growing effort and push to change that.

Local 24 News Reporter Brittani Moncrease spoke with the Downtown Neighborhood Association working on a plan to bring the venue back.

If you take the first initials of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, you get DNA. That is just what they are fighting for, the very DNA of what makes downtown Memphis, downtown Memphis. They are starting with a former music venue.

Music runs through our blood, said Jerred Price, DNA President.

You can hear it through the streets, people, and culture. Price has been working to grow the city's music scene.

Music brings people together, said Price.

Thus, #SaveMudIslandFirst was born. One focus is on the Mud Island Amphitheater which, musically speaking, got the blues itself.

The Mud Island Amphitheater for years was packed full of people. I think it just fell into despair on poor maintenance, poor leadership overseeing the park, poor leadership promoting the park, poor leadership promoting the concerts, said Price.

The DNA has already begun brainstorming ideas.

Theres going to be some infrastructure work, said Price.

Were going to look into possibly the TDZ aspect making it a tourist development zone. Were also looking at sponsorship maybe large companies that want to put branding rights on there. People were thinking about making it into a district like the Amphitheater District where weve got a hotel out there. Weve got restaurants and bars.

It would certainly be no small project with some possible challenges.

They say its logistically hard to get over to. Its got accessibility issues, said Price.

There is also the concern for money.

If they can raise $40 to $60 million for Tom Lee, we can easily raise $2 to $10 million for Mud Island, said Price.

The DNA still remains hopeful.

Since weve been announced, Ive been contacted by so many people wanting to be involved in this project. I think that with the right people and the right heart, you can make anything happen, said Price. Its time to get the right people in there that care that are going to do it right and stay with this gem that sits on our front porch.

Memphis River Parks Partnership is currently working to renew the amphitheater.

In a statement they said, "As stewards of the riverfront, the Partnership has been working with national operator/investors on the renewal of the amphitheater. Once COVID restrictions pass and the future of live entertainment is clearer, we look forward to creating a new future for the amphitheater in partnership with some of the most successful live entertainment operators in the world. "

More:

Effort underway to renovate Mud Island Amphitheater - WATN - Local 24