Hillsborough County’s $69M Indoor Sports Facility Set To Transform Old MOSI Site by 2028

County leaders voted 7-0 to build a $69 million sports center at Tampa's former Museum of Science and Industry site. The empty building on Fowler Avenue will soon buzz with activity.

Tampa Sports Authority will run the project. OSPORTS got the nod to design it, with plans to finish by 2028. Smart thinking might save $15 million by keeping parts of the old MOSI West structure.

"This will be the catalyst for what I believe will be the most transformative economic project Hillsborough County has ever done," said Commissioner Ken Hagan, according to WTSP.

The site won't just house sports. Plans show a mix of hotels and places to eat, plus plenty of parking and easy access points. It's a big step up for the unused land that's sat quiet for too long.

The bare site needs work fast. "The MOSI property is the county's most underutilized asset," Hagan pointed out.

Money talks, and this project speaks volumes. "This will be a several-billion-dollar project once complete, and the field house will help escalate and make the development look more attractive," Hagan said.

But don't grab those shovels yet. The design team must show detailed plans and final costs. County leaders need one more look before work starts.

This sports hub marks step one in fixing up Fowler Avenue. Officials bet it will pull in crowds and spark fresh business growth nearby. The old science museum spot might just become Tampa's next hot zone.