CRDA...UCONN's Landlord at the Rent

[FDNY99]

Mike DiMauro:
http://www.theday.com/article/20140609/SPORT01/306099950

and Jeff Jacobs:
http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-jacobs-column-0615-20140614,0,71139.column
both wrote pieces in the past week (DiMauro on June 9, Jacobs on June 14) about the state of the XL Center and how replacing it or gutting it is tied to the new ball park in Hartford for the Rockcats. Make no mistake here...the CRDA has shown itself to be inept at running Rentschler since it was given control of the facility. How many issues have their been with the turf alone. Then there was the management contract bidding recently. If you step back and read between the lines take a second to ponder this thought: Is the CRDA up to the task of helping or eventually hindering UCONN in any expansion at the Rent? Could the CRDA put a kink in any future plans/dreams UCONN has of joining a conference like the ACC or the B1G? Growing up[ near the UCONN campus and knowing that area like the back of my hand...I was always a person who said a 50,000-65,000 seat football stadium just wouldn't work logistically on campus. And it won't with the way the roads into campus are constructed right now. BUT after reading the 2 articles and thinking back to the way the CRDA handled the turf issues at Rentschler field...I am starting to think that maybe what needs to be done is to abandon Hartford...let them sink on their own. Or maybe better yet...UCONN needs to be given control of Rentschler from the CRDA, and be put in charge of it 100%.

 

[uconnfan68]

Mike DiMauro:
http://www.theday.com/article/20140609/SPORT01/306099950

and Jeff Jacobs:
http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-jacobs-column-0615-20140614,0,71139.column
both wrote pieces in the past week (DiMauro on June 9, Jacobs on June 14) about the state of the XL Center and how replacing it or gutting it is tied to the new ball park in Hartford for the Rockcats. Make no mistake here...the CRDA has shown itself to be inept at running Rentschler since it was given control of the facility. How many issues have their been with the turf alone. Then there was the management contract bidding recently. If you step back and read between the lines take a second to ponder this thought: Is the CRDA up to the task of helping or eventually hindering UCONN in any expansion at the Rent? Could the CRDA put a kink in any future plans/dreams UCONN has of joining a conference like the ACC or the B1G? Growing up[ near the UCONN campus and knowing that area like the back of my hand...I was always a person who said a 50,000-65,000 seat football stadium just wouldn't work logistically on campus. And it won't with the way the roads into campus are constructed right now. BUT after reading the 2 articles and thinking back to the way the CRDA handled the turf issues at Rentschler field...I am starting to think that maybe what needs to be done is to abandon Hartford...let them sink on their own. Or maybe better yet...UCONN needs to be given control of Rentschler from the CRDA, and be put in charge of it 100%.

I'd go for the latter. IMHO, that is where UConn-Hartford SHOULD have been located. Enough room for some buildings (even like ND just did), and plenty of parking.

 

[Dooley]

I am VERY worried about our inept state politicians getting in the way of UCONN getting into a P5 conference. I don't question our state when it comes to funding campus expansion/renovations but, for whatever reason, when it comes to sports, our state simply can't get anything done. They have lost the Whalers and the Patriots and will now lose the Rockcats and hurt UCONN.

To get into the B1G or ACC, UCONN needs to expand the Rent to at least 50K, preferably to 55-60K. UCONN also needs renovations made to the XL Center to be completed OR a new arena built (if they are going to continue playing the majority of their hoops and hockey schedules in downtown Hartford). I understand that there is tremendous political pressure on UCONN to play games in Hartford. Without UCONN, downtown Hartford would be a ghost town every night and weekend. I also understand that UCONN is able to get these sweetheart billion dollar bonding deals to expand their campuses, in part, because they play most of their games in the state's dying capital city. But if history is any indication, our state's leaders are going to hem and haw their way towards crippling UCONN's chances of escaping AAC purgatory by not approving the NECESSARY expansion to the Rent and/or not renovating the current XL or building a new downtown arena.

I think it is time for UCONN to look very seriously into taking over the Rent. I'm not as worried about the XL simply because if renovations aren't made, UCONN can easily opt to play their home schedules on-campus (which would be better for UCONN anyway). But there is absolutely zero wiggle room for Rent expansion. If Jim Delany or John Swofford call today and say "expand to 55K and you're in", I would rather UCONN be in control of that decision than our local politicians. If UCONN is in charge, they can break ground tomorrow. With the state in charge, we know we are in for a years long debate that will likely lead to hesitation from the B1G or ACC (similar to the hesitation seen from Bob Kraft and Peter Karmanos) and, if finally passed, a cost of nearly double the amount it should.

 

[UConn9604]

Mike DiMauro:
http://www.theday.com/article/20140609/SPORT01/306099950

and Jeff Jacobs:
http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-jacobs-column-0615-20140614,0,71139.column
both wrote pieces in the past week (DiMauro on June 9, Jacobs on June 14) about the state of the XL Center and how replacing it or gutting it is tied to the new ball park in Hartford for the Rockcats. Make no mistake here...the CRDA has shown itself to be inept at running Rentschler since it was given control of the facility. How many issues have their been with the turf alone. Then there was the management contract bidding recently. If you step back and read between the lines take a second to ponder this thought: Is the CRDA up to the task of helping or eventually hindering UCONN in any expansion at the Rent? Could the CRDA put a kink in any future plans/dreams UCONN has of joining a conference like the ACC or the B1G? Growing up[ near the UCONN campus and knowing that area like the back of my hand...I was always a person who said a 50,000-65,000 seat football stadium just wouldn't work logistically on campus. And it won't with the way the roads into campus are constructed right now. BUT after reading the 2 articles and thinking back to the way the CRDA handled the turf issues at Rentschler field...I am starting to think that maybe what needs to be done is to abandon Hartford...let them sink on their own. Or maybe better yet...UCONN needs to be given control of Rentschler from the CRDA, and be put in charge of it 100%.

There's merit to this (italics/bold). Storrs stopped looking like Pyongyang and started looking like a modern college campus with the passage of UConn 2000, which pulled its construction programs out from under the umbrella of OMB.

I still have a pipe dream of a 50,000 near-campus stadium, by the corner of Route 195 and U.S. Route 44, but that's a good $200 million away, and our endowment isn't exactly well endowed.

 

[J187Money]

There's merit to this (italics/bold). Storrs stopped looking like Pyongyang and started looking like a modern college campus with the passage of UConn 2000, which pulled its construction programs out from under the umbrella of OMB. I still have a pipe dream of a 50,000 near-campus stadium, by the corner of Route 195 and U.S. Route 44, but that's a good $200 million away, and our endowment isn't exactly well endowed.

I keep telling the foundation guys. Find out how I can make a billion, and I will give half of it back to the school.

 

[weyuo]

The state needs to get off their duff and build a multi-use, retractable domed stadium in Hartford where that gravel screening/concrete plant(or whatever that is) is. From there to I-84 is enough room for a stadium, parking, an attached hotel and retail outlets. This would have to be tied in with dedicated on/off ramp construction and widening of I-84/I-91. Big bucks for sure but it puts Hartford, UConn and the state in general on a competitive path for this half of the century at least. It solves all sports problems, adds the ability to host Final Fours, college football bowl games/conference championships. It gives the Rock Cats a more accessible place to play, makes UConn a more attractive candidate for P-5 conferences or at least makes UConn the gem of the AAC(with the Huskies hosting multiple conference tournies). Add the ability to host trade shows, concerts, other sporting events(tennis, WWE, soccer, dog shows, equestrian events, ect) and a good management team could keep that building generating money 250+ days a year.

Again, major dollars would have to be raised and spent but is Connecticut gonna be a player or a spectator? The money can be raised through bonds, a dedicated lottery ticket/game, private investment, federal monies. It CAN be done. The question is does the state have the intestinal fortitude and vision to see it through, to make it state of the art, a project others will use as a template. It can happen but it won't unless the Fairfield County legislators are given something close if not equal for their part of the state. Call it buying them off. Call it whatever you want but if you want the Capitol of Connecticut to be more than just traffic congestion twice a day and weekly homicide reports then you need to make it a place people actually want to go to again.

 

[APA]

I am VERY worried about our inept state politicians getting in the way of UCONN getting into a P5 conference. I don't question our state when it comes to funding campus expansion/renovations but, for whatever reason, when it comes to sports, our state simply can't get anything done. They have lost the Whalers and the Patriots and will now lose the Rockcats and hurt UCONN.

To get into the B1G or ACC, UCONN needs to expand the Rent to at least 50K, preferably to 55-60K. UCONN also needs renovations made to the XL Center to be completed OR a new arena built (if they are going to continue playing the majority of their hoops and hockey schedules in downtown Hartford). I understand that there is tremendous political pressure on UCONN to play games in Hartford. Without UCONN, downtown Hartford would be a ghost town every night and weekend. I also understand that UCONN is able to get these sweetheart billion dollar bonding deals to expand their campuses, in part, because they play most of their games in the state's dying capital city. But if history is any indication, our state's leaders are going to hem and haw their way towards crippling UCONN's chances of escaping AAC purgatory by not approving the NECESSARY expansion to the Rent and/or not renovating the current XL or building a new downtown arena.

I think it is time for UCONN to look very seriously into taking over the Rent. I'm not as worried about the XL simply because if renovations aren't made, UCONN can easily opt to play their home schedules on-campus (which would be better for UCONN anyway). But there is absolutely zero wiggle room for Rent expansion. If Jim Delany or John Swofford call today and say "expand to 55K and you're in", I would rather UCONN be in control of that decision than our local politicians. If UCONN is in charge, they can break ground tomorrow. With the state in charge, we know we are in for a years long debate that will likely lead to hesitation from the B1G or ACC (similar to the hesitation seen from Bob Kraft and Peter Karmanos) and, if finally passed, a cost of nearly double the amount it should.

You do understand, don't you, that the Pats never had ANY intention of going to Htfd? And that it is not the job of any politician to put the interests of UConn above those of their constituents?

 

[Dooley]

You do understand, don't you, that the Pats never had ANY intention of going to Htfd? And that it is not the job of any politician to put the interests of UConn above those of their constituents?

The Patriots had a legally binding contract (although I will default to the Yard lawyers on this) for one year with the city of Hartford. Intention or not, it is my understanding that as long as ground was broken and construction started on a new stadium within one year of their agreement, the Patriots would move to Hartford. The agreement had in place an opt-out if the stadium wasn't started within one year and we all know how that turned out.

And this is a UCONN board. We're not here to discuss financing costs for education, roads, or public services. We're here to discuss UCONN. Of course I know that 100% of the Connecticut's money won't go to UCONN but I'm not on this site to discuss what those other options are. I am here to talk UCONN. If you want to talk about what interests constituents in this state, those types of discussions take place in the Cesspool. Feel free to take it over there (where I will not care to join you one bit).

 

[Pudge]

We have Turf issues ... and that proves that we can't build the expansion?

I guess I am worried about more concrete things these days. But, we all have to get on track for the Warde Manuel is a solid executive and will guide us through. Why? Cause that continues to be how we get from A to the B1G. And If Rutgers could find their way there ... then we certainly can.

 

[FDNY99]

You do understand, don't you, that the Pats never had ANY intention of going to Htfd? And that it is not the job of any politician to put the interests of UConn above those of their constituents?

You understand that while a politician needs to take care of his constituents that should NOT come at the expense of UCONN!!! This BS about Hartford going dark if there are no UCONN games there anymore is getting VERY old!!!

 

[BlueMAB]

A retractable dome in Hartford? For the Rock Cats?

And Final Fours?

And something similar in Fairfield County?

Wow.

 

[weyuo]

Why not a state of the art facility in Hartford, capitol of the richest, per capita, state in the nation? And you have to get the Fairfield County legislators to vote yes on it so their constituents need to be appeased somehow. People can poo poo it and we can all keep looking forward to Tulsa and Tulane home games or just scrap sports at the collegiate level altogether. You choose.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

These threads put us one step closer to mandatory drug testing for the boneyard. And that, my friends, will be a nightmare.

 

[BlueMAB]

Why not a state of the art facility in Hartford, capitol of the richest, per capita, state in the nation? And you have to get the Fairfield County legislators to vote yes on it so their constituents need to be appeased somehow. People can poo poo it and we can all keep looking forward to Tulsa and Tulane home games or just scrap sports at the collegiate level altogether. You choose.

We're going to build a $750 million to $1 billion dollar facility for the Rock Cats, occasional Final Four, WWE and equestrian events? And if we don't, we'll be stuck in the AAC?

Delusional doesn't do this idea justice. This is bat s$ h ! t crazy. It's reckless, idiotic, and outrageously stupid. The only way to think this is remotely close to a good idea is if you're one of those people who justifies every bit of irresponsible spending with "CT is rich" and doesn't realize 1) we have one of the highest income gaps in the country 2) the cost of living also exceeds nearly every other state in the country

I'm not "poo poo"ing it. I'm calling it what it is. A moronic pipe dream that will never happen, should never happen, and would be a textbook lesson of a stupid idea that doesn't come close to accomplishing the intended goals.

 

[Nostical]

We have Turf issues ... I guess I'm worried about more concrete things these days

There's nothing wrong with the concrete. It's strong and solid.

 

[UConn9604]

Why not a state of the art facility in Hartford, capitol of the richest, per capita, state in the nation? And you have to get the Fairfield County legislators to vote yes on it so their constituents need to be appeased somehow. People can poo poo it and we can all keep looking forward to Tulsa and Tulane home games or just scrap sports at the collegiate level altogether. You choose.

There's no demand for it. If there were, private investors would be begging to get involved on the project. They're not.

Building a world-class arena isn't a sign of urban status or social elevation. If it were, New Orleans and Detroit would be middle class meccas.

 

[weyuo]

Well if there is no demand then be happy with what you got. A 40,000 seat stadium open to the elements and a run down outdated civic center with terrible access that's too small for anything other than a women's basketball tournament and a minor league hockey franchise that could have one foot out the door at any time. Ha... and even the women's basketball tourney won't be played there anymore because a casino has better appeal. Freakin sad.

 

[BlueMAB]

Thankfully, sane people realize that the "either/or choice" between a run down civic center and the Rent as it sits now versus a brand new billion dollar retractable roof stadium exists only in the mind of weyuo. In the real world, there exists several other more realistic and responsible options.

 

[UConn9604]

Well if there is no demand then be happy with what you got. A 40,000 seat stadium open to the elements and a run down outdated civic center with terrible access that's too small for anything other than a women's basketball tournament and a minor league hockey franchise that could have one foot out the door at any time. Ha... and even the women's basketball tourney won't be played there anymore because a casino has better appeal. Freakin sad.

Oh, it's sad, all right. The Civic Center punched above its weight class when it was first built, too. Despite being about 1/20th of the size of the New York metropolitan area, Hartford had an arena with about 80% of the capacity as MSG. That brought events to Hartford which never would have come here otherwise.

But, like I said, if this made financial sense, private industry would already be solving the demand.

Basically, in order to build this thing, taxpayers (either the City's or the State's) would have to stomach a $200-400 million kick in the balls for a financial benefit that would not remotely approach $200-400 million. Who is going to pay that delta?

 

[weyuo]

Thankfully, sane people realize that the "either/or choice" between a run down civic center and the Rent as it sits now versus a brand new billion dollar retractable roof stadium exists only in the mind of weyuo. In the real world, there exists several other more realistic and responsible options.

And those options would be? Expand a open air football stadium that in late November on a rainy, cold day you couldn't fill in fickle Connecticut if the Patriots were playing the Giants? What options are you talking about? Renovating the Civic Center that is a pain in the to get to and park near now? I'd like to hear an option better than building a brand new state of the art multi-use facility rivaling.. not rivaling but setting the standard for anything in this part of the country. Why can't Connecticut build that go to place? Why will it end up being built somewhere else in the North East and why will we have to travel there to see our beloved Huskies play?

 

[Palatine]

Oh, it's sad, all right. The Civic Center punched above its weight class when it was first built, too. Despite being about 1/20th of the size of the New York metropolitan area, Hartford had an arena with about 80% of the capacity as MSG. That brought events to Hartford which never would have come here otherwise.

But, like I said, if this made financial sense, private industry would already be solving the demand.

Basically, in order to build this thing, taxpayers (either the City's or the State's) would have to stomach a $200-400 million kick in the balls for a financial benefit that would not remotely approach $200-400 million. Who is going to pay that delta?

If it made financial sense, private industry would fund roads themselves.

 

[Husky25]

And those options would be? Expand a open air football stadium that in late November on a rainy, cold day you couldn't fill in fickle Connecticut if the Patriots were playing the Giants? What options are you talking about? Renovating the Civic Center that is a pain in the to get to and park near now? I'd like to hear an option better than building a brand new state of the art multi-use facility rivaling.. not rivaling but setting the standard for anything in this part of the country. Why can't Connecticut build that go to place? Why will it end up being built somewhere else in the North East and why will we have to travel there to see our beloved Huskies play?

This wasn't a problem prior to 1,000 days ago.

A multi-use facility will probably never be built ever again. Baseball will be played in baseball parks. Football will be played in football stadiums. On of the drawbacks of convertible stadiums, besides the disgusting cutter cutter nature of their super structure, was the fact that sight-lines did not measure up as well for one of the sports (Typically baseball). This is unacceptable to patrons who pay so much money just to gain admission to such events.

Rentschler Field is barely 11 years old. It is closer to being expanded than it is torn down.

 

[TheDoggPound]

Not to nitpick but the CRDA just hands out the management contracts, Global Spectrum is operating the facility day-to-day (XLC too) but I guess you're right in the sense that they are in charge of any Rentschler Field expansion, ultimately.

 

[UConn9604]

If it made financial sense, private industry would fund roads themselves.

This is true, and if it were private industry's sole responsibility to provide roads, the definition of "financial sense" would be adjusted accordingly.

 

[BlueMAB]

I'm going to enjoy the win tonight and not waste my time with someone who thinks building a billion dollar facility for a minor league baseball team, and 6-7 uconn football games is a good idea.

weyuo