Ballpark renovations, Google Trekker, and more Wednesday news

Yesterday afternoon, the Redbirds hosted a media tour this afternoon discussing the renovations to happen at AutoZone Park. I didn’t go but there’s a #RedbirdsRenovate hashtag on Twitter you can look up and also @ilovememphis had some really good tweets. Some of the tour’s highlights:

  • Reducing seating capacity by 3000 to improve fan experience
  • Club level will be opened up with a full view of games; on non-gamedays it will be used as an event space
  • The left field fence will be replaced by a video board
  • New left and right field bluff seating for 1500
  • New bar overlooking left field
  • Affordable berm seating will be relocated closer to the field for better views
  • All suites will be upgraded
  • New “Four Top Tables” premium seating area
  • With only a few exceptions, prices will remain unchanged
  • Inspiration for the renovations came from talking to fans and learning what they wanted

Renovations will be complete in time for the Redbirds’ April 3 exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Very cool news: Google StreetView has been expanded in Memphis so you can take virtual walking tours of Memphis landmarks. The new technology is called Google Trekker. You can trek through the zoo, a couple of parks, Graceland, the riverfront, and my alma mater Rhodes College.

New details of the Tennessee Brewery redevelopment have emerged: The building will be renovated into residential, with a new residential building to be constructed next door and a parking garage across the street. There will also be 8000 square feet of commercial space. How cool would it be to live in the brewery?

Channel 5 has information on how you can help Coach Josh Pastner win $100,000 for LeBonheur.

The cold won’t stop me from getting out tonight. I’ll lead off at the Silly Goose around 5:30… no make that 5:40, because it will take 10 additional minutes to put on all the layers I will need to survive. Not used to dressing like I live in Chicago. Lows in the single digits and wind chills in the minus single digits. Be careful out there.