Hillsborough County to explore building sports complex at MOSI site
Another development project could soon be in the works at a rapidly changing area in Tampa.
Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously on May 7 to prioritize building an indoor sports complex at the Museum of Science and Industry site on Fowler Avenue.
Though still in its early stages, the MOSI CEO and Temple Terrace mayor said the project could become the centerpiece of continued transformation in the evolving Uptown District.
The project would be managed by Tampa Sports Authority, a network of sports facilities across Hillsborough County, including the Raymond James Stadium and three Tampa golf courses. It also operates an existing recreational facility — the Hillsborough County Tournament Sportsplex in Brandon.
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The 175,000 square-foot sports complex would include 12 basketball and 24 volleyball courts, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
John Smith, the president and CEO of MOSI, said the sports complex would utilize and expand an existing building on site.
But this is not the only plan in the works for the 67 acres surrounding the museum.
Related: USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Last year, the county voted to convert the MOSI site into a mixed-use development with retail, housing and commercial space. Smith said development is still “in flux.”
The land surrounding the site is owned by Hillsborough County, and Smith said MOSI makes the property more attractive to developers.
“What they can attract to build there is kind of broadened because of the fact that MOSI already serves as an anchor,” Smith said.
The proposed sports complex could bring over $790,000 in annual county tourism revenue to a location that’s seen financial decline.
MOSI has been treading in murky territory for the greater part of the last decade. The museum saw several years of financial deficits, closing most of its exhibits and IMAX theater in 2017.
MOSI directors mulled moving the museum downtown in 2016. But Smith, who was named CEO in 2022, vouched for the museum to stay at the Fowler site — its home for over 40 years.
“It makes sense to join USF as an anchor institution in that area, rather than move to some other location and reinvent the wheel,” he said.
The museum opened America’s second-largest digital dome planetarium in April.
Neighboring USF is slated to open its around $400 million campus stadium for the 2027 football season. The university also plans to transform its now-shuttered golf course on the north side of campus into a “vibrant mixed-use district.”
Related: USF approves $407 million price tag for stadium, related infrastructure
The potential redevelopment and decision to stay at the site come at a time of an identity shift on Fowler Avenue.
The area around Fowler Avenue, now coined the Uptown District, is being largely reenvisioned by the Tampa Innovation District, founded in 2011. Its focus is revamping neighborhoods that mostly surround USF, according to its website.
“We hope to build momentum for all these other projects and support all those redevelopment efforts that’s going on around us,” Smith said.
Andy Ross is at the doorstep of all the developments around Fowler Avenue. He’s been the mayor of Temple Terrace since 2020.
“I’m optimistic that this is really going to change the complexion of this part of the county,” Ross said.
Much like MOSI, the nearly eight-mile state road that stretches between two major interstates in Tampa has seen a period of decline since emerging as a popular suburban throughway in the 1980s, according to 83 Degrees.
But the development of New Tampa in the 1990s attracted retailers away from Fowler.
Retailers fled the once-booming University Mall, which is now being remodeled into Rithim — a “mixed-use village” with retail, housing and research facilities.
Related: University Mall near USF to become ‘mixed-use village’
Ross said the area development will transform the local economy, create jobs and boost property value.
The county will work with MOSI and the city of Tampa to navigate planning and zoning approvals, according to a memorandum from the Board of County Commissioners.
“I am very excited and optimistic about all the progress that’s going on up here,” Ross said.
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