Hillsborough County TDC approves $3 million for MOSI‑area field house design

The Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council approved $3,000,000 from tourist development tax (TDT) reserves on Nov. 13 to fund engineering and design work for a proposed field house at the MOSI 73‑acre redevelopment site.

County officials and designers told the TDC that O Sports was selected to lead design work at a total design cost just over $5,000,000, and that the county had already committed $2,000,000. John Mueller, director of facilities management for Hillsborough County, said the county is requesting a $3,000,000 supplement from TDT reserves to complete design and move toward a 90% design review in mid‑2026 and a targeted opening in 2028.

"We were directed to request $3,000,000 in TDT reserves to supplement $2,000,000 of county funding approved in our project for the field house," Mueller said. County deputy administrator Greg Horwedel told the board the site selected for the project leverages portions of the existing West Building and yields an estimated $15,000,000 in cost savings versus a full new build.

The presenters cited a Crossroads Consulting study and county estimates projecting the field house could generate substantial visitor demand; Greg Horwedel said the earlier study projected roughly 44,000 attendee room nights annually by year three and direct attendee spending above $24,500,000 by year three, and that county TDC revenue could approach $790,000 by year three. Mueller also referenced a Crossroads figure of "69.4," but the transcript did not specify what unit that figure represents.

During discussion, Mayor Ross of Temple Terrace raised concerns about traffic, noise and coordination with the University of South Florida’s new stadium construction, saying his city had not been included in earlier conversations about regional impacts. Ross said he was "very disappointed" in USF’s level of outreach but said he would vote to support the design funding.

County staff and Eric Hart, president and CEO of the Tampa Sports Authority, responded that the county will coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation and invite Temple Terrace and the City of Tampa to future transportation and planning conversations. Hart described the facility as a flexible, multi‑court venue designed to host tournaments and other events and said the building can be expanded depending on the master development plan.

Hotel industry representatives and board members said the project could produce room‑night gains similar to prior county sports facilities and urged careful stewardship of reserve funds because additional requests for construction or early operating support could follow.

Mayor Ross moved to approve the $3,000,000 reserve transfer; Mr. Morrison seconded. The council voted and the motion carried unanimously.

The county said it will return to the TDC with operating plans, expense and revenue estimates, and final construction cost projections at 90% design before seeking construction funding.