City of Tallahassee and Leon County Commissioners are considering a $10 million funding request from FAMU to make much needed repairs and upgrades to Bragg Memorial Stadium. According to reports on WCTV Eyewitness News, the item was on the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency agenda Thursday. Blueprint IA is funded by a voter approved one cent sales tax.
The 25,500 seat stadium is 67-years old and was last renovated in 1982, 38-years ago.
FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson was a part of the virtual meeting to speak about the agenda item.
Dr. Robinson told Commissioners that any repairs would be an investment in the Southside of Tallahassee, and would benefit the entire community.
Since its inception in 1998 Blueprint dollars have funded the widening of Capital Circle NW and SW, Cascade Park, and the Cascade Park Pedestrian Trail and Bridge.
The joint City/County Commissioners had three options: (1) accept the report on the funding request for repairs at the Bragg Memorial Stadium and take no further action, (2) direct staff to further explore the updated FAMU proposal, and once financial analysis is completed, bring back a report of full funding analysis with bond options, or (3) IA Board direction.
Leon County Commissioner Bill Procter said the funding would be used to make ADA upgrades, structural and seating repairs, and build a new press box. City Commissioner Curtis Richardson questioned the return on investment of funding the stadium repairs.
"Bragg is not only important to us, but to the city and the county.... This is an important investment in the future of our community," said Robinson. "This is time sensitive. We're talking about not being able to use this stadium in 2021, if improvements aren't made."
City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox warned that the economic impact of FAMU’s homecoming festivities, which circle around a Saturday football game in October, encompasses an entire week and draw thousands of visitors annually, may go elsewhere if the proposal wasn’t approved.
“Here is an opportunity where FAMU is coming to the table because there is an immediate need,” she said. “We can see this as an investment, or we can kiss those dollars goodbye.”
In the end, Commissioner Williams-Cox forced a voted on the request, and commissioners voted to continue discussions with FAMU and receive a CEFA analysis on the economic impacts of the stadium improvements. Blueprint staff will develop a project timeline, including planning, design, engineering, and construction.
If approved, Bragg Stadium would join FSU’s Doak Campbell Stadium in benefiting from public investments.
Between, 1992 and 1996 Doak Campbell Stadium received more than $100 million in state funding from the Florida Legislature and expanded the seating capacity from 70,000 to 80,000, by constructing an "academic center" under the stands. Seminole Boosters floated $20 million in bonds to add skyboxes.
Between, 1992 and 1996 Doak Campbell Stadium received more than $100 million in state funding from the Florida Legislature and expanded the seating capacity from 70,000 to 80,000, by constructing an "academic center" under the stands. Seminole Boosters floated $20 million in bonds to add skyboxes.