A proposed $70 million fieldhouse at the Museum of Science & Industry could move closer to construction this month after Tampa Sports Authority staff recommended Suffolk Construction for the project’s construction manager-at-risk contract.
Suffolk’s proposal estimates the project will cost about $70 million and could be completed in as little as 18 months, compared with an estimated 24-month construction schedule. The recommendation is contingent on Hillsborough County agreeing to fund the project. County commissioners are tentatively scheduled to consider the request June 17.
Plans call for a multipurpose indoor sports and event venue with 12 courts that could host basketball, volleyball and other indoor activities. The facility is intended to support youth sports tournaments, community recreation programs, educational activities and special events on the MOSI campus.
The Tampa Sports Authority board is scheduled to consider authorizing negotiations with Suffolk toward a guaranteed maximum price agreement.
The authority’s selection committee ranked Suffolk ahead of Turner Construction and MVH/Independence after reviewing proposals and interviewing finalists in May. All four evaluators ranked Suffolk first among the three finalists.
Read the latest Tampa business news and updates
Staff said Suffolk’s experience with fieldhouse, entertainment and hospitality projects, combined with its proposed schedule reduction, lower contingency and value-engineering approach, gave the committee the highest level of confidence in achieving the project’s proposed guaranteed maximum price.
The authority received five proposals before narrowing the field to three finalists.
Under the construction manager-at-risk model, Suffolk would work with the project team during design and later negotiate a guaranteed maximum price before construction begins. The final project cost and schedule would be established after design documents are completed and negotiations conclude.
MOSI has positioned the fieldhouse as part of a broader redevelopment effort to expand sports, recreation and community programming on its Fowler Avenue campus in Tampa’s University Area. Hillsborough County and the Tampa Sports Authority selected OSPORTS to lead the facility’s design in 2025, following the start of planning work in 2023.
Read More Tampa Bay Business News
Explore the latest Tampa Bay business news, real estate deals, development projects, executive moves and company updates shaping the region.