South Carolina Football Stadium Project: $1 Billion+ of Developments around Williams-Brice in the Planning Stages
By Kevin Miller
Soon, the South Carolina football team may have some neighbors. On Tuesday, the University of South Carolina made public some very early details of a plan to renovate Williams-Brice Stadium and develop the surrounding areas. The school already owns over 800 acres of land behind the South Carolina football team’s facilities that they hope to develop in an effort to pay for the improvements. According to school officials, the vision for these improvements includes developing properties that stretch from the football facilities to the Congaree River. Called the Stadium Project, details about the vision of and land involved in the project can be found on gamecocksonline.com.
The funding for the Stadium Project would come primarily from private investors who would provide their money ahead of time with the promise of a return on investment from the developments made within the project. As of now, it does not appear that there is a specific plan in place regarding what types of businesses and/or attractions might be built on the acreage. It is of note that part of the area is located in a river flood zone.
Regarding Williams-Brice, the school announced that a “major modernization” of the existing stadium is part of the over $1 Billion plan. Some needed changes will be seen in renovations to bathrooms, concession areas, and concourses around the stadium. Improving both the quantity and quality of luxury seating also will be a priority as South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner said, “It is certainly evident that people want premium experiences.” Tanner went on to say about gameday patrons that these premium experiences would include better parking, food and drink, and general seating for all, not just bigger luxury-level and club-level experiences for wealthier fans.
The details available on gamecocksonline.com reveal a desire from the University to have Williams-Brice Stadium (and whatever new surrounding developments are built within the Stadium Project) become a year-round revenue stream for the University. Accomplishing this goal would help the University pay for this project and other future projects without assistance from taxpayers, fans, or donors.
Included in the Stadium Project is a smaller plan to make changes around Colonial Life Arena, as well. The only details provided regarding these changes were that the University of South Carolina owns some of the land surrounding the arena and wishes to build up the area. There is no known plan in place to move the men’s and women’s basketball venue.
As of now, no additional land or properties (including the State Fairgrounds) will be purchased to execute the Stadium Project. No timeline has been established for the project, but school officials have made clear the endeavor will “take some time” and updates would be made available as the project progresses.