KEY POINTS
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University of South Florida to redevelop 138-acre golf course into housing, retail, hotel, and research facilities.
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Phase one of the Tampa Bay area project spans 27 acres and includes 700 student beds, multifamily units, and a 150-room hotel.
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Construction expected to begin in spring 2026, pending state approval, with first openings by fall 2028.
The University of South Florida (USF) Board of Trustees approved plans on September 9, 2025, to redevelop its former 138-acre golf course into the Fletcher District, a large-scale mixed-use project featuring housing, retail, hospitality, and research space.
Public-Private Partnership Model
Phase one of the project covers 27 acres north of Fletcher Avenue and east of North 46th Street. It will be developed through a public-private partnership between USF and developer ACE Fletcher, LLC.
While the university will retain land ownership, private developers will sublease parcels to construct and operate individual components.
The mixed-use plan reflects recent developments in higher education real estate. Universities are leveraging underused land to help address student housing needs, expand research capacity, and create amenities that generate recurring revenue.
Public-private partnerships (P3s) have turned up elsewhere in nonresidential construction, from energy projects powering data centers, recreation venues, and manufacturing facilities.
Institutional projects nationwide may employ public-private partnerships as a financing and delivery model, which allows universities, municipalities, and agencies to share risk and leverage private capital. For contractors and trades, P3s often mean larger, phased project scopes, complex contracting structures, and long-term facility management opportunities.
The approach has gained traction in nonresidential construction, where public entities seek to accelerate timelines without bearing the full financial burden.
A publicly released rendering of the Fletcher Avenue mixed-use development planned for 27 acres on Tampa’s University of South Florida campus. Image: University of South Florida
Construction Project Components
Student Housing: About 700 beds across 335,000 square feet to expand residential capacity and attract more students to live on campus.
Multi-Family Housing: 150 units totaling 160,000 square feet, targeted toward graduate students, faculty, and university employees.
Hotel and Conference Center: A 150-room hotel with 78,000 square feet, including 5,000 square feet of conference space.
Retail and Restaurants: Development of around 60,000 square feet, with four to six restaurants planned.
Academic Research Facility: A USF-funded 350,000-square-foot building to expand the university’s research footprint north of Fletcher Avenue.
The Fletcher District will sit within walking distance of USF’s planned on-campus stadium. Officials said the location creates a natural destination for students, alumni, and visitors on game days and during community events.
Expected Construction Timeline and Next Steps
The project is pending approval by the Florida Board of Governors, with a vote expected in November 2025. If approved, construction is anticipated to start in spring 2026, with the first phase planned for opening by fall 2028.
University leaders said in an announcement that the development would be a catalyst for both campus growth and regional economic activity. “The Fletcher District will be transformational for the University of South Florida and will help to further elevate and drive economic development in the Tampa Bay region,” said USF President Rhea Law.
Tampa is home to the main campus of the University of South Florida, a State University System institution established in 1956. University officials confirmed the development does not include USF’s protected Forest Preserve.
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