USF briefs Tampa council on campus stadium amendment; second public hearing set for Dec. 18
Summary
USF representatives told council they are amending their campus development agreement to extend it through 2030 and to address public facilities impacts tied to a proposed 35,000-seat on-campus stadium; the council held the first public hearing and scheduled a second hearing for Dec. 18.
City legal staff and University of South Florida officials presented the first public hearing on a proposed second amendment to the USF campus development agreement. The amendment would extend the agreement through Dec. 31, 2030 and identify responsibilities for public facilities and services affected by a proposed on-campus stadium.
Rebecca Jones (city legal) outlined the statutory process under Florida law for campus development agreements and emphasized that the local governmentreview of a campus master plan focuses on public facility impacts, not on the content of academic or athletic construction. USF chief athletics officer Rob Higgins described the on-campus stadium proposal as a 35,000-seat venue with capacity for approximately 8,000 students and an overall benefit to campus life and regional economic activity; projected completion was stated as AprilMay 2027.
Staff noted key conditions: water for the stadium would be served via existing on-campus wells (with water-treatment confirmed), the university would coordinate intersection and roadway improvements with Hillsborough County and FDOT where the impacts occur, and USF would be responsible for wastewater improvements if estimated flows require upgrades at their cost.
Council did not vote on the amendment and set a second public hearing for Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m.; USF will return with further documentation and staff will continue coordination on traffic, water and sewer impacts.
