More than 2 dozen proposals poured in for USC’s Williams-Brice area development project
When the University of South Carolina announced its intentions to revamp Williams-Brice Stadium and transform 850 acres of land near the stadium and the Congaree River, it didn’t expect such an outpouring of interest.
USC ultimately received more than two dozen inquiries and several written responses for the sweeping project, university spokesman Jeff Stensland said Friday.
“We are extremely pleased with the responses and the opportunities that lie ahead,” Stensland said. “We are now focused on refining a scope of work and adding definition to the project.”
The original deadline for proposals was extended by nearly a month to March 31 to ensure all interested parties could participate after the university received “a strong response” from vendors, Stensland previously said.
The development, which the university touted as a potential “game changer” for the school, could top $1 billion in investment, with the hopes that much of that money would come from private funding.
Further details about the project proposals remain under wraps due to state procurement regulations. However, the university officials have said football stadium renovations will likely be part of the project’s first phase and that they are “open-minded” about what comes across their desks.
The university began the formal Request for Information process in early February to gauge ideas and find out the possibilities for the university-owned property, most of which lies in a floodplain.
At the time, USC Athletics Director Ray Tanner said it could take another year for initial plans to come together, considering bidding and other state procurement procedures. A construction timeline will become clear once those plans are finalized.
While there may be limitations to what can be built on the stretch of land, some Columbia locals have speculated about condominiums, hotels, restaurants and a golf course.
Stensland said the university will continue to provide updates on the project.
This story was originally published April 14, 2023 at 11:54 AM.
