Inside Peek at Future Bass Pro

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Four years, ten months and 21 days after the city's talks began with Bass Pro, the company's president was in town to give council members an update on the project.

Tuesday, Bass Pro's president described what the inside will look like. Council members not only got an explanation of the inside of the Bass Pro Shop, they also heard how the first stages of construction will be paid for.

Bass Pro President Jim Hagale made the trip to Memphis to give council members more details into the newly inked deal to put a store in the vacant Pyramid.

"We know it's somewhat of a challenge for us just because the architecture of the building doesn't look like a Bass Pro. But we also know it offers some very unique opportunities to do something very special here in Memphis," said Hagale.

Hagale said the Memphis Bass Pro Super Store will be completely unique. The plan is to turn the bottom floor into a swamp characteristic of what's found in the Delta.

From the swamp will be massive Cyprus trees to the point of the Pyramid. The second floor will be a mezzanine and where most of the retail will be located. It will be crossed with bridges through the Cypress forest.

"You're looking down on the swamp, you're also feeling like at this level you're up into the trees because the trees are coming up from the swamp," said Tom Marshal.

The third floor will feature an aviary, a bowling alley, and restaurants.

"This is not just a store, its going to be like an amusement park in many many ways," said Marshal.

Before Bass Pro can move in, the Pyramid's seats need to be removed; flooding and earthquake damage protections need to be upgraded. The city, as the landlord, will also contribute millions to Bass Pro's construction costs. The total is $50 million coming from grants and sales tax that would have gone to the state. It's through the Tourism Development Zone Program.

"If the TDZ money is not sufficient to pay what we've obligated to do, where does the money come from? What if there's a seismic problem, what if there's flooding problems?" said Councilman Jim Strickland.

But the administration assured the council that any unforeseen cost will come from insurance backing or sales tax revenue, not from property taxes.

That TDZ money will also be used to develop all the property from the river to St. Jude.

"We're very excited that we can be a part and maybe a little bit of a catalyst to help with the redevelopment of the rest of the property," said Hagale.

Construction is expected to start in October or November and the store is hoping to open November of next year.