South Carolina Football Stadium Project: News, Rumors, Speculation, and More
By Kevin Miller
Last week, the University of South Carolina announced that it was in the first stages of a $1 Billion+ development plan called the “Stadium Project.” Very few details about the project have been confirmed with 100% certainty, but the ones that are known have fans excited about the possibilities.
What We Know
The University of South Carolina already owns close to 900 acres of land, over 800 acres of it between Williams-Brice Stadium and the Congaree River. Three small plots are located right behind the Long Family Football Operations Center, and two large plots are behind those. Much of this land is located in a known floodplain. This is not necessarily an impassible obstacle but could create some added difficulty in developing the area.
A smaller amount of land (broken up into five properties totaling just under 20 acres) belongs to the school and is located around Colonial Life Arena. Two of the properties are very small, two are larger parking areas that are about the size of Colonial Life Arena each, and the fifth is a large parcel of land that is big enough that two arenas could fit inside it. For years, the Athletic Department has desired to improve the basketball facilities.
The plan calls for almost all of its funding to come from private persons and/or businesses developing properties and others revenue-generating attractions around the stadium. The properties would serve as the developers’ return on investment and some form of ongoing partnership is expected to exist between the University’s athletic department and the businesses.
The Stadium Project includes renovations and upgrades to Williams-Brice Stadium. Concessions, concourses, bathrooms, and plumbing have all been mentioned as needed renovations. “Premium” seating and areas will be a major focus of the upgrades according to Athletics Director Ray Tanner in an interview on Columbia’s 107.5 The Game. Box seating and club areas are part of this, but improving general seating and the game experience for all fans will be an emphasis, as well.
Total seating will likely decrease in Williams-Brice Stadium as premium areas and seating increase. It is the Athletic Department’s goal to not raise ticket prices but to use the revenue generated by the developments from the Stadium Project to make up the difference and to fund future athletic projects.
There is no plan to buy more property as part of the Stadium Project. This includes the fairgrounds or local businesses that already exist near Williams-Brice Stadium or Colonial Life Arena. Purchasing more land could be a part of future plans but is not expected to be a factor in the immediate.
The developments are expected to generate jobs, increase tourism, and allow for the areas around Williams-Brice to be used (and, thus, generate revenue) all year long.
While the ball has already begun rolling, this is a long-term plan that will not be finished for several years. Even after the initial plans are completed, more work will continue to be done to make this stadium district the “game changer” that Tanner envisions will impact the University of South Carolina, its athletics, and the Columbia community. More details are set to come by the end of March.
What Could Be
Other sports venues have opened team-owned or team-partnered establishments as a means of improving the fan experience and generating revenue for the team. The Atlanta Braves’ Battery is one such team district that is familiar to many Gamecock fans. The Stadium Project will not be a recreation of the Battery or other similar projects, but there could be similarities.
Some rumors have been floating around about what could be in the coming years:
The Likely (These rumors seem as if they should happen)
Sports bars, restaurants, minor attractions (TopGolf, axe throwing, outdoor concert venue), hotels, condos and apartments, improvements to Gamecock Park and fan tailgate areas, activities to interest families with children (park, playground, etc.), basketball operations building(s) and increased parking near CLA, Gamecock “fan zone” area
The Realistically Possible (These rumors seem as if they could happen)
Golf course, movie theater, Gamecock Hall of Fame, outdoor viewing for game watch parties, more statues and memorials, football/athletic department operations buildings, new Gamecock river walk in coordination with a potential Congaree River bridge project, outdoor restaurant courtyard, parking improvements for football, increased shuttle services
The Improbable but Possible (These rumors seem as if they are possible but unlikely)
Water park or theme park, new basketball arena, new baseball stadium (at a later time), outlet mall, Congaree River activities (tubing, swimming, fishing, boat docking, etc.), Columbia site for Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
The Never-Gonna-Happen (These rumors are ridiculous but fun to imagine)
Underground tunnel system to aid with gameday traffic in and out of the area, “I Hate Clemson” Lounge, completely remade Williams-Brice Stadium, raised monorail/train system, skywalk over the city
With more news supposedly coming in March, perhaps some of these rumors will be confirmed or officially scratched from the list of possibilities soon. One thing is certain, though: this Stadium Project will be a good thing for the University of South Carolina and the city of Columbia, and Gamecock fans everywhere will continue dreaming about the possibilities until the project is complete.