TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 8, 2017) – University of South Florida Director of Athletics Mark Harlan and USF Vice President for Administrative Services Calvin Williams on Tuesday released the findings of the initial feasibility study exploring the possibility of a football stadium on the USF campus.
The completed feasibility study is the first of several steps in a long process that would include additional studies and further research before USF makes a decision about whether or not to build a stadium. The university will next begin to evaluate the financial feasibility and prospective philanthropic support for a stadium.
“The University of South Florida enjoys an outstanding relationship with the owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Raymond James Stadium, and we are very grateful for their committed support to USF Football,” said Mark Harlan, USF Director of Athletics. “We are honoring the interests of our university and alumni as we continue having this discussion. Our students come first, and we will ensure they are part of any future decisions regarding a new stadium.”
The feasibility study focused on evaluating conceivable locations for a stadium on campus and analyzing the scope and potential cost of the project.
The study reviewed sites on campus, surveying each one for information such as impacts to existing land use, infrastructure, access to major streets, parking availability and campus connectivity. Two primary options were identified: the western portion of campus, slightly north of Fowler Avenue and east of Bruce B. Downs and a second location farther east on campus, near the corner of Fowler Avenue and USF Bull Run Drive on the existing Fowler Fields site.
By comparing college football stadiums built since 2000, the study established that the initial parameters of a stadium at USF would include approximately 40,000 seats, with the capability to expand to 50,000 in the future, along with nearby space to support fan experience and tailgating. According to the study, the estimated cost of a stadium would be $200 million; however, many factors could cause the final amount to be modified.
Completing the initial study was a stated goal included in the USF Athletics Strategic Plan, approved by the university Board of Trustees in 2016. The trustees will discuss the study at a committee meeting on August 17; however, no decision about a stadium will be made at that time.
USF will continue to play home football games at Raymond James Stadium. Earlier this year, USF signed a new six-year lease agreement to continue its partnership with the Tampa Sports Authority and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The feasibility study can be found here:
http://www.usf.edu/pdfs/football-conceptual-planning-study.pdf
Conceptual renderings can be viewed here:
