The money from the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency will go toward repairing the stadium’s foundation, electricity, lighting and drainage. FSU coaches as well as Athletics Director David Coburn lobbied for the project before the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Thursday night. Coburn notes FSU football generates a $100 million economic impact to the city.
“I think you all know that’s very difficult to replicate in another fashion," he said. "The request we have for you today is $20 million of one-time money. Those impacts are recurring every year. I don’t think you’re going to find that kind of return on investment, and it will happen very rapidly for this investment.”
County Commissioner Kristen Dozier, and City Commissioners Jack Porter and Jeremy Matlow voted against the stadium repairs out of concern the project will deplete most of Blueprint’s ability to fund other projects.
“When we talk about what money is available, what projects are lost…we have to have all the numbers on the table," Matlow said.
"Questions were asked about the comparison to Bragg Stadium, and that setting a precedent. Bragg [stadium] was in a position where it wouldn’t have been able to host football the next year…and I think there’s a clear [economic impact] case to be made there about the loss of FAMU [Florida A&M University] football.”
Matlow says no such threat exists with FSU.
Blueprint gave FAMU $10 million last year for emergency repairs which are underway now. Blueprint also approved funding to shore up Tallahassee Community College's athletics facilities.
Final approval for the FSU stadium funding will be made during an upcoming meeting.
