Orlando Camping World Stadium requests tax funding for expansion project
Tourism tax cash is up for grabs, and there's a request for the county to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into putting a roof over Camping World Stadium.
Overall, there are more than 50 local organizations hoping to get a slice of a very big pie.
About $3.5 billion worth of projects has been requested.
The group reviewing those requests is just wrapped up its meeting this afternoon.
While Camping World Stadium is home to the New Year's Day Citrus Bowl and is now home to the XFL's Guardians, it struggles to compete with other stadiums for college football playoff games.
Its concert appeal leaves promoters looking elsewhere for A-List shows.
That's one reason why the city and county teamed up in 2014 to spend $200 million plus Tourist Development Tax dollars to replace the lower bowl and upgrade the design, including an ADA-accessible fan deck.
How the lower deck looks now was done nearly a decade ago, and the upper deck seating, which is far less comfortable, is more than three decades old.
Now, Florida Citrus Sports is requesting $800 million more from the county's pot of tourism cash to overhaul the bowl once again, including adding a roof similar to the one at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.
"You'll net, you know, pick up another 2,500 to 3,000 seats," said Steve Hogan, the CEO of Florida Citrus Sports.
Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan says it's more than just a stadium expansion.
It would include a large new meeting space, like a mini-convention center, that could add 100 new events per year.
But the main goal is to make Camping World Stadium a college football championship-caliber stadium that can also draw the top concerts that promoters usually send somewhere else.
Hogan says Miami gets that business because of a roof.
"They got World Cup. We got passed over for World Cup. We tried to get Army Navy, got passed over for that. We're not getting the (big) concerts and shows. They've had multiple Super Bowls and national championships," Hogan said.
"Again, we don't need a three billion dollar stadium to do it. A roof has done it for Miami. A roof would do it for Orlando," Hogan said.
Key points in the proposed overhaul: replace the upper bowl, add a partial roof and add 100,000 square feet of event space.
Last year, the stadium generated 6,100 jobs with a labor income of $226 million and a total economic impact of $632 million, according to Florida Citrus Sports.
"And the economic engine that it is are the reasons why you want in finishing Camping World Stadium," Hogan said.
The first goal is persuading county leaders to make the investment.
The mayor's advisory committee will issue its final recommendations on how to spend tourist tax dollars in July.
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