The new stadium will sit on the current Sycamore Fields location. | Photo via the University of South Florida
The next generation of Bulls will be able to trot over to football games from their dorms and walk home hand-in-hand, win or lose.
Yesterday, the USF Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $340 million funding plan for an on-campus football stadium. The university will take on $200 million in debt to fund the project + pull another $140 million from donations, Capital Improvement Trust Fund dollars, and more.
The decision saw some opposition from the school’s faculty, who argued that the project’s cost might exceed expectations and cut into other parts of the university’s funding. But, Chair Will Weatherford argued, “the risk is greater to do nothing.”
The chair said the new stadium will activate the campus, serving as a place where “our alumni and our students and faculty can gather and celebrate what we are as an institution.”
“This is a transformational project,” President Rhea Law told the crowd at the board meeting. She added that the stadium would be massive both for the student experience + for the entirety of the USF family.
What’s next?
Officials expect to break ground on the 35,000-seat facility in October 2023 — and hope to have the stadium ready for the 2026 season. The facility will take over the current Sycamore Fields site on the east side of campus + host the women’s lacrosse team and concerts.
Renderings will have to wait while the university, Barton Malow, and Populous work through the design phase — a process that has included tons of conversations with students, faculty, and community members.
Which special feature do you think the stadium should have? Think: Raymond James’ life-size pirate ship. Let us know.
Events
Wednesday, June 14
Mayor Welch’s City Hall on Tour: Stop #2 | Wednesday, June 14 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Fossil Park & Willis S. Johns Center, 6635 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg | Free | Ask questions and relay your concerns to St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch.
Namaste by the Bay | Wednesday, June 14 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Midtown Commons, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | Free | Yogis of all skill levels will enjoy this power flow class focusing on building strength and mobility — bring a mat or towel.
Thursday, June 15
Rainwater Guardian Workshop | Thursday, June 15 | 6-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn how to reduce your use of drinking water and create a shallow rain garden — plus, receive your own rain barrel.
Friday, June 16
Dunedin Pride | Friday, June 16-Friday, June 29 | Times vary | Locations vary | $0-$200 | Celebrate Pride month with a golf cart parade, bowling night, and a “Gay-Lah.”
Saturday, June 17
Father’s Day Kids Crafts | Saturday, June 17 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Publix GreenWise Market at Water Street, 555 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Free | Decorate cookie cake slices for dad.
Tampa Bay Juneteenth Festival | Saturday, June 17 | 3-9 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa | $10-$30 | The third annual R.O.C. the Block event features local food vendors, a market, musical performances, bouncy houses, and a petting zoo.
Ooza Palooza | Saturday, June 17 | 5-10 p.m. | Albert Whitted Park, 107 Eighth Ave. SE, St. Petersburg | Price of purchase | Head to Downtown St. Pete to sample fancy grilled cheeses, tater tots, and other cheesy goodness.
Calling all Dave’s Hot Chicken fanatics. The chicken shop is opening its first TBAY location (2540 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa) this Friday, June 16. Stop by the grand opening from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. for spicy hot tenders, shakes, and sliders. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Announced
It’s not living if we don’t see this show. The 1975 plays Amalie Arena Wednesday, October 18 on their upcoming tour. The fan presale is booked for Wednesday, June 21 at 10 a.m. and the public sale starts Friday, June 23 at 10 a.m. Sign up for alerts online.
Read
TBAY’s indie bookstore scene is expanding. Bookends: Literature & Libations is opening up shop in Ybor City (2208 E. 2nd Ave.). The new shop will offer baked goods, brews, and tons of reads by Florida authors. (That’s So Tampa)
Coming soon
On the hunt for a new breakfast joint? Zio’s New York Bagel Co. will soon serve up everything bagels, coffee, and breakfast sammies at 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite B2, Tampa. Follow the shop on Facebook for updates on opening. (That’s So Tampa)
Learn
The Tampa Bay History Center is digging into more than 500 years of Black Tampa Bay history. The new permanent “Travails and Triumphs” exhibit brings together more than 100 artifacts that tell the area’s story, from the Seminole Wars and Zion Cemetery to the 2020 protests. (WUSF News)
Plan Ahead
Stop by Sip for the Springs at Crooked Thumb Brewery (555 10th Ave. S., Safety Harbor) on Saturday, June 24, from 12-8 p.m. to support the Florida Springs Council’s work. The brewery will be selling commemorative “Old Florida” pint glasses, shirts, and a springs guide. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Transit
Amazon just launched electric delivery vehicles in Tampa Bay. The Rivian vehicles are zero-emission and will drop off packages throughout the Tampa-St. Pete metro area. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Arts
From galleries and museums to brewmasters and artisans, discover the arts and culture scene in Greenville, SC. Pro tip: Review the Arts & Culture Guide before your visit.*
Edu
Too busy to take classes on a college campus? Southeastern University offers a robust online program with flexible schedules, an easy-to-use online learning platform, affordable tuition + more. Bonus: Learn more by attending an Online Bachelor’s Degree Virtual Info Session on July 5 at 12 or 6 p.m.*
Summer is here, which means so too is aperol spritz season. Enjoy as many as you’d like (without regretting it the next day) when you make yours with Ritual Zero Proof’s aperitif alternative — an alcohol-free take on the Italian classic. Bonus: Use it to make the summery aperitif sour.*
Events
This one’s for the dads
Tampa Bay Father’s Day specials
Try out one of the restaurant’s square margherita or firebird sqaure pizzas. | Photo via Forbici Modern Italian
It’s time to pour one out for papa. We’re celebrating Father’s Day (Sunday, June 18) all week long here in Tampa Bay.
Whether you and the pops plan to feast the day away or spend some quality time on a new hobby, we’ve got some ideas:
The party starts this afternoon. Head over to the Epicurean Hotel’s theater (1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa) from 1-3 p.m. for the El Mayor Tequila Tasting. The free tasting includes samplings of El Mayor Blanco, Reposado, Port Cask, and Cristalino — plus tacos, cheese, and charcuterie.
Treat dad to a bougie day out in Hyde Park Village. Start with a meal at Forbici Modern Italian (1602 W. Snow Ave.). The popular spot is serving a special Limoncello Tiramisu creation in honor of the holiday. Pro tip: We recommend the Calabrian chili wings and quatro formaggi pizza to finish out the meal.
Spend an afternoon decorating a rum, vodka, moonshine, or whiskey bottle in Ybor City’s Florida CANE Distillery (1820 N. 15th St.). The Sunday, June 18 class runs from 4-6 p.m. and costs $80.
I’m so excited for the 1975 show. If scoring tickets to Taylor Swift taught me anything though, this could be a challenging presale. I recommend having the whole friend group log on to the sale + using multiple screens.
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