University of South Carolina takes first step in major project development
The University of South Carolina has announced it will be starting the process of modernizing Williams-Brice Stadium and its surrounding areas.
The university issued a formal Request for information on Tuesday to determine the viability of the development of more than 800 acres of undeveloped USC property. The land is situated adjacent with the Congaree River, west of the existing Long Family Football Operations Facility.
Athletics Director Ray Tanner said the project could be a “game-changer” for the future.
“This is something that we have the blank canvas. It can affect so many people, the students, the student-athletes, student section, our fanbase, the city of Columbia, job creation,” Tanner told media members. “The time that I’ve spent working on this is probably almost two years now. That’s to get to this point to do an RFI, it’s exciting.”
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In addition to submitting an RFI, the university will look to identify possible project development partners who have an interest in pursuing a comprehensive land use agreement. An eventual agreement could generate significant private funding to improve Williams-Brice Stadium as well as making the venue accessible for more than just football games.
There will be two phases of the project without a timeframe announced yet. The first phase will be for property nearby Williams-Brice Stadium. The second phase will take place closer to Colonial Life Arena. There is a potential for continued private development of more than 17 acres adjacent to the basketball venue.
The project will not include moving Williams-Brice Stadium from its current location or buying and development the State Fairgrounds.
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Tanner said one of the goals of the project will be to improve the fan experience by enhancing amenities inside and surrounding the venues.
“It’s certainly evident that people want premium experiences. They want to have good parking, great food. They want to have luxury boxes if that suites them or great seating with chair backs,” he said. “I think that’s where the change has been. It’s the experience, and I think we’ve improved upon that greatly at Williams-Brice, but certainly there’s room to grow.”
At first glance, fans might be concerned about pricing themselves out by any premium upgrades. However, Tanner ensured the average fan will also be taken into account during this process.
“We’re not turning the entire stadium into premium seating but we may have an opportunity to enhance the general seating,” Tanner said. “We have a lot of general seating in Williams-Brice and our other facilities as well. That does not exclude them, we will include them as well.”
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In total, the project has the potential to be more than $1 billion. Tanner said it will be about “more than just redoing a stadium.”
“We don’t know exactly how it’s going to come back in an RFI but a billion dollars is a lot of money or more than a billion dollars,” Tanner said. “That’s not just football or building a new stadium. That’s other things that go along with that.”
The RFI results are due back to the university on March 7 and will provide a better understanding of how practical the development could be.
Ed Walton, USC’s Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer, said in the release from the University that the potential for forging a business partnership would allow for significant revenue generation without burdening students or taxpayers.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move forward on needed facility improvements through a partnership that doesn’t require public financing,” Walton said. “We intend to develop a project and select a partner who has a strong track record of creating commercial projects that benefit the entire community through job creation and new businesses that will make Columbia and the Midlands more vibrant than ever.”
The University has set up an information website on this project at GamecocksOnline.com/StadiumProject.
