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MLGW seeks up to $31.5 million to buy and renovate Goodlett Farms site for new control room
Summary
Memphis Light, Gas & Water asked the council to authorize up to $31.5 million to acquire a Goodlett Farms Parkway facility and spend roughly $60 million total including renovations to establish a multifunctional control room; MLGW officials said the purchase fits long-term grid reliability plans and should not cause rate increases.
Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) presented a request to authorize up to $31.5 million to purchase a Goodlett Farms Parkway property in Cordova to serve as a multifunctional control center, with projected total acquisition and renovation costs near $60 million.
W. Allen of MLGW (presentation lead) said the acquisition and renovation are part of a broader $1.5 billion grid-improvement program and argued that adaptively reusing the building is more economical than constructing a new facility. "The purchase price is the listed price for the building; subject to your approval, we will continue negotiations with the company," the presenter said, noting the alternative — a new facility — was estimated at about $95 million.
MLGW representatives said the $31.5 million would cover acquisition and initial upgrades and that roughly $30 million more would be needed for build-out of control-room technology, desks and systems, for a project total near $60 million. Officials told council members the acquisition and renovation costs are contemplated in MLGW’s electric budget and that the utility does not expect this authorization to produce a rate increase.
Council members asked whether the $31.5 million included remodeling; MLGW clarified the listed purchase price is for acquisition and that renovations are additional. Officials said the facility would initially host control-room staff and allow future expansion, and that 68 acres attached to the site provide space for resilience measures such as battery storage or solar.
The committee voted to move the item downstairs with same-night minutes; staff promised to provide renderings and further financial detail for the full council.
