A rendering of the basketball court setup at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Fla.
Florida State University in Tallahassee has hired Global Spectrum to operate its Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in a multiyear contract. The university acquired the 12,500-capacity facility, formerly the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, officially in July 2013. FSU uses Donald L. Tucker Center for meetings, special events, and as the home of men's and women’s basketball.
The three-year contract, which officially began Feb. 28, includes two one-year extensions by mutual agreement, and both FSU and Global Spectrum have the ability to terminate the contract without cause with 90-day notice. The management fee for Global Spectrum is based on a capped percentage of the facility’s overall performance.
Global Spectrum already operates four arenas and two convention centers in Florida, including several university venues such as BankUnited Center on the campus of University of Miami in Coral Gables, the Sun Dome at University of South Florida in Tampa, and CFE Center at University of Central Florida in Orlando.
“I think that was a big factor is us getting this contract,” said Global Spectrum Regional VP Doug Higgons. “Adding FSU to that portfolio is going to benefit all four facilities by being able to route shows and share information between all of the venues.”
According to Kyle Clark, VP for Finance and Administration at FSU, the company’s previous university accounts showed they have experience in balancing between stakeholders, such as university athletics.
He also pinpointed Global Spectrum’s “access to nationwide talent booking expertise, ability to hire and retain the best staff, implementation of best practices, and efficient and effective operations” as key reasons the company was chosen for operations.
Global Spectrum plans to reintroduce the Tallahassee market to the industry and focus on events aimed at the university students, like concerts targeting the young adult demographic.
“Our first goal is to get some university-specific events and get students used to coming to the facility,” he said, adding that Global Spectrum will try to expand the family show business and reach out to faculty and staff to bring their children.
There are approximately 75,000 college students in the Tallahassee area. Clark said he expects Global Spectrum to book conference and convention events in order to capitalize on the fact that the city is home to more than 400 associations and is located in a beautiful region.
The facility is currently undergoing about $20-million worth of improvements, including structural upgrades, remodeling meeting rooms, upgrading concession stands and lighting, painting, and adding new signage.
“During the next several months, the university will consider additional upgrades that may include energy efficiency and HVAC modernization, additional food service improvements, acoustical enhancements, new seating and new video boards,” added Clark.
Higgons said the facility is open for the moment, but will shut down for about six weeks to put in new seating this summer.
Populous was engaged in a study to analyze potential improvements to Donald L. Tucker Center, and Crossroads Consulting Services was hired to conduct an arena market and economic analysis. Moore Communications Group led a visioning exercise to determine ideas for the center and surrounding 20 acres, including 11 undeveloped acres, leading to an idea for a $260-million convention and hotel complex to potentially be built within the next five years. FSU chose Sasaki as the master planner for both the potential complex and the current improvements to Donald L. Tucker Center.
Shashank Gairola will serve as the facility GM for Global Spectrum. Most recently, he managed Spirit Bank Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Interviwed for this story: Kyle Clark, (850) 644-4444; Doug Higgons, (215) 389-9552