The Higher Educational Facilities Financing Authority announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 12:00 Noon
PLACE: The University of Tampa, Plant Hall, Room 104, President’s Conference Room, 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: For purpose of Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), notice is hereby given that the Higher Educational Facilities Financing Authority (the “Authority”) will hold a public hearing with respect to the contemplated issue and sale by the Authority of up to $120,000,000 of various series of its Higher Educational Facilities Financing Authority Revenue and Revenue Refunding Bonds (The University of Tampa Project), Series 2012 (the “Bonds”) in such subseries as may be designated. The public hearing will be held by a hearing officer of the Authority.
The proceeds of the Bonds will be loaned to The University of Tampa, Incorporated, a Florida corporation not for profit (the “University”), to: (i) refund the outstanding Hillsborough County Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds (The University of Tampa Project), Series 1999 (the “Series 1999 Bonds”), (ii) refund the outstanding Hillsborough County Educational Facilities Authority Variable Rate Demand Revenue Bonds (University of Tampa Project), Series 2000 (the “Series 2000 Bonds”), (iii) refund the outstanding City of Tampa, Florida Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds (University of Tampa Project), Series 2002 (the “Series 2002 Bonds”), (iv) refund the City of Tampa, Florida Revenue Bonds (CHF-Tampa, L.L.C. Project for the University of Tampa), Series 2005A (the “Series 2005A Bonds” and together with the Series 1999 Bonds, the Series 2000 Bonds and the Series 2002 Bonds, the “Refunded Bonds”), (v) refinance a loan from PNC Bank, National Association dated September 9, 2011 (the “PNC Loan”), (vi) finance the construction of a new 10-story dormitory with a partial 11th floor to be located at 730 W. North A Street, Tampa, Florida (the “New Project”), and (vii) pay a portion of the costs associated with the issuance relating thereto. All or a portion of the Refunded Bonds may be refunded with proceeds of the Bonds. The proceeds of the PNC Loan were used to refund the Hillsborough County Educational Facilities Authority Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 1998 (The University of Tampa Project) (the “Series 1998 Bonds”). The proceeds of the Series 1998 Bonds were used to refund the Hillsborough County Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Series 1996 (The University of Tampa Project) (the “Series 1996 Bonds”). The proceeds of the Series 1996 Bonds were used to finance the cost of construction and equipping of one student dormitory facility located at 104 North Crescent Place with the capacity to house 352 students and a 480-space parking facility located at 710 West North B Street, together with certain other improvements to the University (the “1996 Project”). The proceeds of the Series 1999 Bonds were used to finance the cost of construction and equipping of one 9-story student dormitory facility to house 471 students located at 203 N. Brevard Avenue and to acquire certain real property and undertake certain other improvements to and equipping of the University facilities located on the campus of the University which has a street address of 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida (the “1999 Project”). The proceeds of the Series 2000 Bonds were used to finance (i) the acquisition and construction of a parking garage/deck addition to one of the University’s existing parking facilities and (ii) various renovations, improvements, construction and equipping of certain educational facilities on the University’s campus (the “2000 Project”). The proceeds of the Series 2002 Bonds were used to finance, refinance and/or reimburse the costs of constructing, relocating, acquiring and equipping of certain educational facilities, including, but not limited to, (i) an 8-story, 489 bed dormitory, (ii) a 6-story, 900 space parking garage, and (iii) renovation of the dormitory known as McKay Hall, all of which are located within the limits of the City of Tampa, Florida (collectively, the “2002 Project”). The proceeds of the Series 2005A Bonds were issued to finance, refinance, and/or reimburse the costs of constructing, acquiring, and equipping certain educational facilities, including, but not limited to, an 11-story, 182-bed dormitory and related facilities located at 404 West Kennedy Boulevard (the “2005 Project” and together with the 1996 Project, the 1999 Project, the 2000 Project and the 2002 Project, the “Prior Projects”). The Prior Projects and the New Project are or will be owned and operated by the University. The University also plans to spend approximately $1,300,000 in funds remaining from the reserve account funded with the proceeds of the Series 1998 Bonds for capital projects improving its campus educational facilities.
The Bonds will not constitute a debt of the Authority or of the State of Florida, but shall be limited and special obligations of the Authority, payable solely from revenue derived from the University. The Authority has no taxing power.
The public hearing will be conducted in a manner that provides a reasonable opportunity to be heard for persons with different views of both the issuance of the Bonds and the New Project proposed to be financed. Persons wishing to express their views may appear at the hearing or may submit their views in writing regarding the proposed issuance of the Bonds and the New Project. Any written submissions should be sent to: The Office of Higher Educational Facilities Financing Authority, 542 Park Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, Attention: Secretary. Written comments should be mailed in sufficient time to be received on or before February 14, 2012. Comments made at the hearing are for the consideration of the members of the Authority and will not bind any legal action to be taken by the Authority.
Persons are advised that, if they decide to appeal any decision made at this hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and, for such purpose, they may need to insure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact Carol Zimmerman at the University of Tampa no later than seven days prior to the proceeding at the address given in this notice. Telephone: (813)253-6214.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Melissa Armstrong, Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, 542 East Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301, (850)681-3188.
Subsequent to the public hearing, the Governor of Florida will be required to approve the Bonds, in accordance with Section 147(f) of the Code, prior to the issuance thereof by the Authority.
Higher Educational Facilities Financing Authority
By: Ben Donatelli
Title: Secretary/Treasurer
Date: February 3, 2012