MOSI redevelopment plan shows mixed-use district, hotel

A county report lays out the timeline and studies behind the concept.

Chuck Merlis February 16, 2026

Hillsborough County will brief commissioners Wednesday on a redevelopment concept that would bring 10-story mixed-use buildings and a hotel to the property surrounding the Museum of Science & Innovation in North Tampa.

The update appears in a staff report tied to a Phase 1 pre-development agreement and outlines the steps needed to move the site toward rezoning in the City of Tampa.

The proposal would shift the property’s future land use from Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial and Public/Semi-Public to Urban Mixed Use-60 and Community Mixed Use-35.

The change would allow denser residential and commercial development on land long designated for industrial use.

Map showing current industrial land use and proposed Urban Mixed Use-60 and Community Mixed Use-35 for the MOSI redevelopment site in Tampa. — Current and proposed future land use for the MOSI redevelopment site, as shown in a Hillsborough County staff report.

The Phase 1 agreement is structured in two parts:

Phase 1A includes the land use amendment and the technical studies required to support rezoning.
Phase 1B covers the PD-A rezoning process and preparation of zoning materials for City of Tampa review. County staff expects Phase 1B to take about 18 months.

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Environmental site assessments, wetland delineation and preliminary stormwater modeling have been completed, according to the report. An initial master development concept plan has also been completed.

Renderings included in the agenda packet show a walkable grid of internal streets, structured parking and public green plazas.

Rendering of a mid-rise apartment building in a mixed-use redevelopment concept near MOSI in Tampa.

A rendering shows a mid-rise residential building that reflects the type of housing shown in the MOSI-area mixed-use redevelopment concept.

Rendering of a pedestrian-friendly mixed-use street with outdoor dining and retail near MOSI in Tampa.

A rendering shows a walkable retail corridor with outdoor dining and residential buildings, reflecting the district-style development proposed near the MOSI site.

Rendering of a mid-rise hotel building included in the MOSI-area redevelopment concept in Tampa.

A rendering shows a hotel building proposed as part of the mixed-use redevelopment planned for the property surrounding the Museum of Science & Innovation.

Rendering of a public green plaza with seating and ground-floor retail in the MOSI-area redevelopment concept.

A rendering shows a landscaped public plaza surrounded by shops and dining, illustrating the open-space and retail elements proposed in the MOSI-area mixed-use redevelopment.

Rendering of a landscaped green space with walking path and trees near new development at the MOSI site.

A rendering shows a tree-lined lawn and pedestrian path as part of the proposed public green space within the MOSI-area mixed-use redevelopment plan.

Several buildings along Fowler Avenue are labeled at 10 stories. Additional mid-rise mixed-use and multifamily buildings extend deeper into the site. The concept includes a hotel and retains the existing fieldhouse.

The county submitted the future land use amendment to the City of Tampa on Nov. 3, 2025. The Planning Commission approved the request Feb. 9, 2026. A public hearing is scheduled for April 23.

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County staff expects to submit a rezoning application in May or June 2026, with easements tied to the site expected to be addressed during that process.

The item appears under the Board of County Commissioners staff report section and does not require a vote.

About MOSI

Founded in 1962 and operating in North Tampa since 1982, the Museum of Science & Innovation serves as Tampa Bay’s primary hands-on science center.

The campus includes more than 50,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and educational programming, along with the Saunders Planetarium & Digital Dome Theatre, which MOSI says is the largest planetarium in Florida.