Volunteers say paperwork delay threatens District 12 skate park; $51,000 funding gap cited

Representatives of Later Skaters Memphis appealed to the board for help closing a last-mile funding and paperwork gap that threatens construction of a District 12 skate park. Benjie Smith said the project already has $448,000 in committed funds but "there is now a $51,000 gap in funding for the park due to delays," and that nonprofits and local businesses are ready to donate but need county paperwork to accept naming-rights commitments.

Smith told commissioners the group needs the county to provide necessary paperwork within four days (by Oct. 1) to secure private donations and avoid further cost increases. Commissioner Sugarman responded that the county is working through a fiscal agent and that remaining clarifications would be handled offline; Smith said delays beyond Oct. 1 would push the project out of this year and increase costs.