John Thrasher: Blueprint's economic development funds can, should help improve FSU's Doak
With perhaps the exception of the Florida Capitol, Doak Campbell Stadium is one of the best known landmarks in Tallahassee.
This awe-inspiring and immense brick structure currently seats nearly 80,000 fans, while the University Center that surrounds it is home to several academic departments including the FSU College of Motion Picture Arts, the FSU College of Communication and Information, and the Dedman College of Hospitality. It houses offices, classrooms, meeting space and the FSU Visitor Center.
Keeping this structure up to date, safe and inviting to visitors from around the world is vitally important for Florida State University and Tallahassee.
When it was built more than 70 years ago, Doak Campbell Stadium was derided by our rivals as an “erector set.” Over the years, investments by the Seminole Boosters and private donors, as well as the state and local government, have turned the stadium into one of the largest continuous brick structures in the United States.
This amazing facility – an incredible economic engine that brings $100 million to the local economy – simply would not exist without the continuous support of our local community.
But the truth is, many of the features of the original structure remain today, hidden from view by the amazing brickwork that surrounds it. That infrastructure is now badly in need of attention.
Because of the facility’s impact on the local economy, FSU has approached local government leaders about contributing to the renovations of this Tallahassee landmark.
Our request is for structural and safety enhancements only, including improvements to Doak’s foundation, electricity, lighting, drainage and concourses as well as upgraded railings and fixing protruding beams.
While most of the funding for improvements to Doak will come from non-local government sources, it is essential that we complete the new vision with help from Blueprint. This request is not about shifting dollars from another project. When more than 60% of Leon County voters approved Blueprint, a percentage of those funds were set aside for general economic development efforts, while other dollars were earmarked for specific capital projects. The money we are requesting comes only — and appropriately — from economic development funds.
Therefore, we are asking for assistance with the badly needed renovations to Doak to ensure the structure is sound, safe, stable and will last for many years to come.
An investment in Doak Campbell Stadium — home to the Florida State Seminoles football team — is compelling.
Typically, an investor wants to get his or her money back in five years or less. In this case, there is $51 million in direct spending by visitors during a seven-game home football schedule and a total economic impact of $100 million. That means the $20 million of requested Blueprint economic development funding would result in a return on investment in less than a year.
Renovating Doak helps keep the FSU football program healthy by making sure its house is in top shape. And it helps keep the local economy healthy by investing dollars where they will have the most impact.
John Thrasher is President of Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Florida State University is asking the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency to invest $20 million into structural and safety upgrades as part of an overall project to renovate 71-year-old Doak Campbell Stadium.
The university, in documents submitted Monday to Blueprint, said with the investment of tax money to maintain the underlying structure, it could focus on incrementally pumping another $100 million into other renovations to improve fan experiences such as diversifying seating options.
A feasibility study submitted by FSU identified some of the issues taxpayer money could fund, including replacing lighting, railing improvements, painting and rust prevention to the interior structures and guardrails, additional steps within the seating bowl, addressing field drainage and creating a central food commissary.
In all, a home football game attracted 220,000 out-of-town visitors to Tallahassee, resulting in millions of dollars being pumped into the community, wrote FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics David Coburn in a letter to Department of PLACE (Planning, Land Management & Community Enhancement) Director Ben Pingree.
“FSU has a total annual economic impact of $10 billion,” he wrote. “$1 billion is directly related to people who visit our community for reasons related to FSU. Continuing to invest in the stadium is a key driver to the vibrancy of Tallahassee and Leon County.”
Doak Campbell not the first request for stadium funding
A precedent for using collected taxes to support athletics facilities in town emerged last year when Blueprint, made up of all 12 city and county commissioners, committed $10 million to renovations at Florida A&M University’s Bragg Stadium to ensure its football team could play in the ailing stadium this season. In addition to bolstering and maintaining revenues connected to the Rattlers’ home games, the project is expected to support construction related jobs.
The feasibility study provided to Blueprint, which meets May 27, details the tourism power associated with a home game. The funding, both from Blueprint and collected through fundraising, would be used to enhance food and beverage experiences, improve restrooms, provide more shade and more climate-controlled areas, build more comfortable seating, improve WiFi and cellular coverage and offer pre- and post-game activities to increase the value of the overall experience.
It’s not yet clear where the funding will come from for FSU’s request. Blueprint’s agenda is released on Saturday.
Bragg renovations were funded by pulling $10 million from a proposal to build a convention center in FSU’s long-term goal of an Arena District stretching from campus up Madison Street to the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and a hotel the university is pursuing.
The convention center is being funded out of economic development dollars because of the potential impact it could have in attracting events and associated commerce to Tallahassee, the only state capital in the south without a convention center.
Months after the decision to pay for Bragg renovations, Blueprint again signaled it would be willing to pump money into athletics facilities at Tallahassee Community College as it entertained for the first time a presentation and $1 million request by TCC President Jim Murdaugh.
Convention center plans long in the making
The idea for a convention center was brewing even before 2012 when FSU acquired the Tucker Center from Leon County. After years of community discussion, the university told the IA it could take on a $20 million project for a smaller center but would like to see something more substantial.
In March 2020, Blueprint officials increased the allocation to $40 million, spurring backlash from some members of the public and some commissioners, who would like to see investment in other parts of the city instead
