The goal is to have the facility open by 2028.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a major step forward for the redevelopment of the old Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) site on Fowler Avenue. 

The vote, “motion carried 7 to 0,” greenlights an interlocal agreement with the Tampa Sports Authority to design a new indoor sports facility.

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

Much of the county-owned land where MOSI currently sits has been unused for years. Now, developers are unveiling plans that could transform the area well beyond sports. Proposed ideas include hotels, restaurants, new roads, parking and multiple entry points — all aimed at redefining the site as a major destination for residents and visitors alike.

“The MOSI property is the county’s most underutilized asset,” Hagan added.

OSPORTS, the firm selected to design the facility, says part of the old MOSI West building could be repurposed to save costs and accelerate development. Preliminary estimates from OSPORTS suggest construction cost savings of around $15 million, keeping the project close to the consultant’s original estimate of $69 million.

County leaders emphasize the economic potential of the project. They say it could attract more visitors, drive business growth and create long-term opportunities in the surrounding area.

“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.

While the plan has taken a significant step forward, there are still many steps ahead, including additional design work and future votes on final approvals. Developers plan to return to the Board of County Commissioners for a 90 percent design review and final construction budget.

Developers also already have a timeline in mind, saying their goal is to have the facility open by 2028.

The project represents a major investment in Hillsborough County’s future and could mark the beginning of a long-awaited transformation for the Fowler Avenue corridor.