Improvements to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium advanced Feb. 24 with the selection of a Barton Malow–Hunt Construction joint venture for a construction manager at-risk contract to complete $400 million in upgrades over the next two-and-a-half years.

The selection comes after a November decision from the Orange County Board of Commissioners to dedicate $400 million from tourist development taxes for the project following a report over the summer from a citizen task force that recommended uses of unspent tourist tax dollars. The Kia Center, home to the NBA’s Orlando Magic, was recommended for $226 million in improvements. 

According to the meeting’s agenda, the city has set a substantial completion date of August 31, 2027, and the Barton Malow-Hunt JV will include 24% participation from women- and minority-owned business enterprises. 

The JV beat out three other bidders evaluated by an advisory committee, including a Balfour Beatty-Austin Construction JV, Gilbane Building and The Whiting Turner Contracting Co. DLR Group was chosen by the city in November to lead design for the stadium project, per media reports at the time. 

Information included with the November Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting agenda lays out planned upgrades to the stadium, saying the project aims to maximize its seating mix and functionality by adding 2,000 seats to bring the stadium’s total capacity to 65,000.

Information from the agenda shows an expected $338.5-million construction cost for a wide range of improvements at the stadium, with the remaining $61.5 million going to non-construction costs, including $31.6 million for design and pre-construction services. 

The existing upper bowl seating area will be removed and replaced with a new seating bowl profile, and the terrace level concourse and amenities will be demolished and replaced atop the existing slab. 

A new waterproof system will top the terrace level, restrooms and concessions will be added, and the area evaluated for a new concourse to accommodate new amenities. New towers will be constructed for the north and south end zones, with plans for the North End Zone Tower to enhance connectivity in that area and provide a new premium seating mix, new terrace level and seating bowl.

The South End Zone Tower is a new structure that will rise from the existing plaza level to accommodate a new press seating mix, and at the south end zone at the field level, the existing precast seating bowl will be removed and replaced with a retractable seating system to maximize available field use for concerts or other events. The east and west suite levels will be partially demolished and rebuilt, with installation of waterproofing, new interiors to suites and more.

Also included in the plans is a $55-million multi-purpose event center with a free-span open area of roughly 90,000-sq-ft, according to an exhibit with the interlocal funding agreement between the city and county. 

The structure will be designed to accommodate rigging for concerts, video displays and seating for up to 6,500 for football, basketball or other sports events, as well as related restrooms, meeting areas and back-of-house amenities.  

Improvements are also slated for parking areas, landscaping and building MEP systems, as well as a new exterior facade and entry gate canopies. 

It will be Barton Malow’s second project at Camping World Stadium in just a few years, with the firm completing a renovation in 2022 alongside The Collage Companies. 

According to its website, Barton Malow upgraded the north end zone seating bowl, modernized restrooms and concession areas, constructed new premium mezzanine clubs and upgraded the parking lot and building systems.