CRDA targets $107.2M upgrade to Hartford’s XL Center (Hartford Business Journal)

[CTMike]

I feel like could be convinced to properly demolish the place after a few beers and some pressure on Spaces

 

[Kolumbo]

I like pictures.

No lipstick. For $107 mill we get blue paint and accent lighting. I am down!

"Importantly, it would also redesign the loading bay areas to allow up to six tractor trailers simultaneous access, rather than just one or two under the current configuration."
YESS!!!

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

I’m not convinced. Which isn’t to say that it’s not possible. I just don’t think that the current leadership is even vaguely competent.

Not going to argue that this has been bungled by the CRDA. I think part of the problem is that they just feel as though the Legislature will be their sugar daddy. That said, I know the highest level of the Legislature will ultimately make it work.

 

[Dogman69]

AAC Logo on the court.

Doomed.

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

I like pictures.

No lipstick. For $107 mill we get blue paint and accent lighting. I am down!

"Importantly, it would also redesign the loading bay areas to allow up to six tractor trailers simultaneous access, rather than just one or two under the current configuration."
YESS!!!

View attachment 85207

I just realized something about myself.
This is just XL with some lighting and Our logo all over it...and i was like "Wow, i love it, pay all the moneys !!!"

So basically, all someone has to do is slap a cool UConn logo on something, and im dumb enough to get on board.

Almost pavlovian

 

[Kolumbo]

I just realized something about myself.
This is just XL with some lighting and Our logo all over it...and i was like "Wow, i love it, pay all the moneys !!!"

So basically, all someone has to do is slap a cool UConn logo on something, and im dumb enough to get on board.

Almost pavlovian

Wait, you are right! It is just lighting and logos! Doh!

I'm wondering, if they could magically teleport that arena to the center of campus, would it suddenly look even better? I think it might.

 

[CL82]

I just realized something about myself.
This is just XL with some lighting and Our logo all over it...and i was like "Wow, i love it, pay all the moneys !!!"

So basically, all someone has to do is slap a cool UConn logo on something, and im dumb enough to get on board.

Almost pavlovian

Lol I was thinking the same thing.

Here’s the thing, though, on TV, XL looks pretty good. It’s only when you get there that you see all the problems. It needs more than a cosmetic fix. The heyday of big arenas in mid sized cities, have come and gone. If you’ve got a pro franchise, they can still be profitable. I don’t think there is a way to make XL a more desirable venue than the arenas with which competes. I think the most cost effective plan is to ride out the rest of its life with minimal investment.

 

[aburks41]

As someone who knows nothing about construction, how much would it take to build a brand new arena from scratch?

Texas' brand new Moody Center cost $375M

 

[huskymedic]

Texas' brand new Moody Center cost $375M

Interesting read of current XL operator Oak View Group & University of Texas partnership on arena

 

[10TOES]

If you want to see a similar example of a renovation. Daytons UD Arena went through a $75mill in 2019 (similar budget with escalation). Original building was constructed in 1969. Obviously not apples to apples and UD Arena had much better “bones”. But they did make renovations that brought the building into the 21st century and vastly improved fan experience.

UD Arena - Dayton Flyers

I don’t see a world in which they approve anything larger than this. My company builds large commercial construction projects, in the last month we have seen a few large projects go on “pause” and multiple projects we were bidding get pulled off the streets. If we get a $100mill renovation approved take it, at least if you want anything done in the next 5+ years.

 

[Palatine]

Heard this many times.

 

[Waquoit]

Heard this many times.

Same here. For some reason, Wolfpack crowds have been great this year. Maybe that will help it over the line.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Husky25]

As UConn claws back it's position in the national consciousness, there are bound to be more sellouts. The one aspect of the current arena that struck me hardest last time I was there (Marquette in February) was the lack of movement on the concourse as my son and I were trying to get to the restroom at halftime. Forget about those. The footprint is a firetrap for 15k+ fans.

We ended up spending halftime behind the cameras, made our way back to the restroom and missed the 1st part of the 2nd half.

All that said, the concourse in the renderings don't look any wider.

 

[John]

As UConn claws back it's position in the national consciousness, there are bound to be more sellouts. The one aspect of the current arena that struck me hardest last time I was there (Marquette in February) was the lack of movement on the concourse as my son and I were trying to get to the restroom at halftime. Forget about those. The footprint is a firetrap for 15k+ fans.

We ended up spending halftime behind the cameras, made our way back to the restroom and missed the 1st part of the 2nd half.

All that said, the concourse in the renderings don't look any wider.

been a XL season ticket holder for so many years I now forget how many years it actually is. I agree - the seat comfort and sight lines are fine the way they are. The most glaring issue is the non-existant traffic flow in the concourse area because there's not room for both the concession/bathroom lines and people walking along the concourse. The horribly small bathrooms with horrendous traffic flow are also a problem.

 

[Ha Who]

As UConn claws back it's position in the national consciousness, there are bound to be more sellouts. The one aspect of the current arena that struck me hardest last time I was there (Marquette in February) was the lack of movement on the concourse as my son and I were trying to get to the restroom at halftime. Forget about those. The footprint is a firetrap for 15k+ fans.

We ended up spending halftime behind the cameras, made our way back to the restroom and missed the 1st part of the 2nd half.

All that said, the concourse in the renderings don't look any wider.

Who takes the fall should there be an emergency (fire, active shooter, etc)? Legislature or CDRA? I’m not saying I supported the $250 million plan but I bet the legislators who made it known “never” will grandstand

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Before they put any lipstick on that pig, they need to figure out how it will be financially viable. You can say more concerts, but how will you get bands to go to XL instead of the casinos? My guess is the casinos offer acts a little more because they know they'll make money back on gambling and those staying for the night/weekend. Just a guess.

 

[John]

Before they put any lipstick on that pig, they need to figure out how it will be financially viable. You can say more concerts, but how will you get bands to go to XL instead of the casinos? My guess is the casinos offer acts a little more because they know they'll make money back on gambling and those staying for the night/weekend. Just a guess.

Mohegan Sun lured the annual Connecticut boat show away from Hartford with a bid that has Mohegan Sun losing money on the actual boat show portion of the event. They'll more than make up for it in every other way.

 

[huskymedic]

Who takes the fall should there be an emergency (fire, active shooter, etc)? Legislature or CDRA?

City of Hartford who owns the building?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Mohegan Sun lured the annual Connecticut boat show away from Hartford with a bid that has Mohegan Sun losing money on the actual boat show portion of the event. They'll more than make up for it in every other way.

Which highlights why fixing it isn’t enough. Build a casino in Hartford. Or find some other way to make it appealing.

 

[Palatine]

The smart thing -which they didn't do- would have been to sell the arena to a gambling company with casino and sports book licenses. In Connecticut, anything worth doing is worth doing half-arsed

 

[Fairfield_1st]

The smart thing -which they didn't do- would have been to sell the arena to a gambling company with casino and sports book licenses. In Connecticut, anything worth doing is worth doing half-arsed

Maybe a stupid question, but any reason that it couldn't be sold to one of the tribes now, if they were interested? Downtown hotel/arena/casino, much like one or both of the casinos is now.

 

[White Dwarf]

That building needs another heavy, wet snow. Then a complete do over

 

[gioff2323]

Time to say goodbye. They’d be better off building a smaller scale, modern venue. That figging monstrosity sits like a Berlin Wall running thru the city.

 

[ScottBonz]

Went to MVP arena today. Looks like XL Center with a 100 million dollar renovation.