USF is “close to its next major step on its quest to build an on-campus football stadium: approving a contract with the design-build team,” according to Matt Baker of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The board of trustees' finance committee is “scheduled to hear an update on the issue” Tuesday. Then the full BOT could “vote to approve up to” $22M for “the design phase during its regularly scheduled March 7 meeting.” Baker notes the stadium would be “built north of the current practice facilities.” USF is seeking $14.8M for “preconstruction and design services” and $3.9M for “more planning services” by the school. There is also $850,000 “in financing costs” and $2.3M for “owner contingency for design services.” The total price tag is “comparable to what the design/build team of Populous and Barton Malow proposed last year.” Baker writes even if the design expenses are approved, “much work will remain.” The board will “eventually have to sign off on final construction and financing costs,” and USF will “have the option to ‘pause or terminate’ the project or design-build team once this phase is complete.” The school has “not yet announced a budget for the proposed 35,000-seat stadium,” but it is “expected to cost nine figures” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/9).
USF is seeking $14.8M for preconstruction and design services and $3.9M for more planning services by the schoolUSF
