Hillsborough County approves design agreement for MOSI site indoor sports facility; project estimated at $70.7 million

Katie, a Hillsborough County communications staffer, said Tuesday that the county will move forward with design work for an indoor sports facility at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) redevelopment site after the Board of County Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with the Tampa Sports Authority for design services.

County staff reported that repurposing the county-owned MOSI site for the sports facility would save approximately $15 million and that the total estimated project cost is $70.7 million. "A majority of funds have been identified in the county's community investment tax renewal," Katie said in the meeting recap. Staff has set a goal of opening the facility by 2028 and will provide updates as key milestones are reached.

The board's vote authorized county staff to contract with the Tampa Sports Authority for design work; the meeting recap did not include a motion maker, a second, or a roll-call tally. The presentation framed the sports facility as a key component of redeveloping the county's 73-acre site and as a driver of visitation and economic growth.

Next steps outlined by staff include completing design services under the interlocal agreement and reporting milestone updates to the board. No procurement details, construction timelines beyond the 2028 opening goal, or firm funding commitments beyond the community investment tax identification were specified in the recap.