STARKVILLE — Mississippi State will take a significant step in expanding Davis Wade Stadium today when the state Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning considers approval of the proposed $80 million project.
MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin announced the board agenda item in his weekly column on MSU”s athletics web site.
“Part of that project is the request to appoint LPK Architects of Meridian as the design professionals in charge,” Stricklin said. “The project has been pre-planned through the Bulldog Club, and LPK was hired by our fund-raising organization as the design professional for pre-planning documents.”
Gaining board approval to appoint LPK to the project is one part of the agenda item; the other is to request the estimated $80 million price tag for the project be funded through bonds, which would be paid back through revenue generated by football ticket sales and Bulldog Club donations.
Though the Bulldog Club would solicit donations for the project, Stricklin said two weeks ago he had “no problem borrowing $80 million” to fund the project.
Stricklin said Wednesday a timeline for the project has yet to be set, but two weeks ago he said he hoped to have one in place within the next three months.
“The renovation and expansion of the football stadium is fueled by you, the Mississippi State fan base,” he said. “We will sell every available season ticket for the second-straight season this year, and likely will build on our streak of consecutive sellouts. The north end zone addition will add approximately 7,000 seats and include premium area opportunities and other fan amenities. Improvements to the west concourse of the existing stadium and entry ways will add to the game-day experience and bring the historic stadium up to date. Structural provisions will allow for future stadium expansion, as well.”
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