MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With the Bass Pro Pyramid Grand Opening, a Grizzlies game and preps for Memphis in May all in one night, Police said it was a perfect storm situation for downtown traffic.
However, Alexander Reives and his dad, Derrick, were not letting anything, not even crazy traffic keep them from the pyramid’s grand opening.
“We parked way down by Public Works,” Derrick Reives said. “We had to walk pretty far, but people are going to be parked even further down than us. ”
With so much going on downtown, crowds were forced to park more than a mile from the pyramid and hike to it.
Memphis Police stationed cars at almost every major intersection downtown to help direct traffic and usher pedestrians across walkways.
Colonel Gloria Bullock said with so much going on this week, they knew they had to plan and come prepared.
“Our extra officers were brought in, just to make sure everyone has a safe experience when they’re downtown,” she said.
Some Bass Pro patrons tried to beat the rush.
Sam Wilson showed up almost three hours before the grand opening and nabbed a coveted spot in Bass Pro’s lot.
“I got off work and came straight here.” he said.
But it weas more than just getting through this weekend.
MPD said perfecting the flow of traffic around the city’s newest attraction will take time and plenty of patience.
“Take your time, calm down, and we’ll get you where you want to go safely,” Paul Wright with MPD said.