20,000 Seats to Be Added to Citrus Bowl

A selection committee has chosen a $37.9 million plan to expand the Florida Citrus Bowl football stadium by 20,000 seats, but city officials say they may have only $30 million to spend.

The Orange County Commission has approved using $30 million in proceeds from a 3% resort tax on lodging to pay for the stadium expansion.

“We’ve got a great idea and no way to pay for it,” said Orlando’s city administrator Bob Haven after the review committee selected one of four bids.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a Joe Robbie lining up to build a stadium in this town,” said City Commissioner Jeff Clark, referring to the Miami Dolphins owner who built a new stadium for his NFL team.

City and stadium boosters hope the expansion and upgrading will bring a professional football team to Orlando and protect the city’s post-season college bowl game.

City officials are expected to begin negotiations soon with the winning builder-designer team of Mellon Stuart Co. and HNTB while trying to come up with more money. The project will be scaled back if additional funds aren’t found.