South Carolina's Athletic Department Announces Major Development Project
On Tuesday afternoon, the University of South Carolina, through Athletic Director Ray Tanner and Chief Financial Officer Ed Walton, announced the start of an aggressive and ambitious development project. Tanner says it will "be a game changer for our university."
Per the release, the school has issued a formal request for information to determine the feasibility of developing more than 800 acres of undeveloped property owned or controlled by the University, which sits both adjacent to the Congaree River and behind the Long Family Football Operations Facility.
According to the release, this pertinent information will be returned to the school around the beginning of March. During this stretch, the University of South Carolina will look for a developer willing to sign a land use agreement and take on this vast project.
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to move forward on needed facility improvements through a partnership that doesn’t require public financing," said University CFO Ed Walton. "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.”
Any future agreement with a developer could lead to what the University described as "significant private funding" that would improve Williams-Brice stadium, making the stadium a more functioning multi-use facility for other future public events.
"These projects are envisioned to create a fan experience second-to-none in college athletics," Ray Tanner stated. "We are also looking at expanding the variety of events and opportunities these enhancements can bring, which will positively impact the local community."
Another phase in this massive project would involve the development of an additional 17 acres of land surrounding the Colonial Life Arena. The University noted in this news release that this project wouldn't involve a potential relocation of Williams-Brice Stadium or the procurement of the nearby State Fairgrounds.
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