Renovations are in full force at the Overton Shell. The Mortimer Levitt Foundation is funding the project along with the city of Memphis. The project cost is 1 million dollars and is expected to be done by the spring of this year. The Levitt Foundation will then provide an additional 1.75 million to operate the Shell for 5 years. It will be renamed The Levitt Pavilion For The Performing Arts at Overton Park. The new Pavilion will have 50 free concerts a year featuring local talent and special guests.
The new Shell will have handicapped bathrooms and a special seating area for the handicapped as well. The benches have been removed and there will be no seats replacing them. Rather, people can bring lawn chairs or blankets for shows. The fencing around the Shell has been removed and donated to a local shelter.
On each side of the stage will be a 6 foot screen with 24 bit surround sound. The Shell itself will be painted completely gold, the rainbow removed and across the top will read, Levitt Pavilion At Overton Park. The Shell opened in 1936 and closed in 2004. It will reopen just months from now.
Overton Shell Renovations
January 03, 2008 | Other Source:Elvis Unlimitedmemoriesoftheking wrote on
January 04, 2008
They are painting it GOLD?! Why wouldn't they keep the rainbow paint scheme, that it's been since Elvis performed there? That's just crazy!! Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled it's being revived, and not tore down, but they should restore it to how it once looked. I'm glad I got the chance to see it and get pictures this past Oct.
Crawfish wrote on
January 04, 2008
Completely agree - thrilled about the renovations too - it was about time; but it won't be the same without the rainbow!!! Love the place tho!
fordy wrote on
January 04, 2008
Over the moon that Overton Park is being renovated, just not too happy about the way they're going about it. At the very least, surely the name didn't have to change, nevermind the colour scheme.