Gov. Ned Lamont proposes $55M investment in Hartford’s XL Center arena

[RF79]

Hope that $90+mil will get me an armrest on my seat

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Even $90m isn't enough to make a meaningful difference. In 5-10 years that money would be down the drain when the rest of the place falls apart.

 

[Watchdog]

Here's the crux of the problem. We have a state that is economically challenged and likely doesn't have the demographics that would support a new arena like the YUM Center (unless we hire the former Louisville AD who pulled off that taxpayer funded gem of a deal):
"Operations that produce revenue are likely to be the parts of the arena operation that would most reasonably attract private investors."
Find the visionary who will devise the schemes that will produce the necessary revenue and, voila, you have a winner.

 

[Chief00]

As I said before two or 3 million here and two or 3 million there and sooner or later you’re talking about real money.

Keep in mind that that two or 3 million loss is after UConns men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and hockey overpays for the venue effectively subsidizing it.

I’m not a big believer in the “ Field of dreams” theory of business development. The CDRA seems to believe that “if we re-build it they will come.” I would much rather see a coherent business plan that justifies the state investing in the venue rather than just chucking more money down that sinkhole and keeping our fingers crossed it’ll all work out.

Freimuth and his CRDA no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt. In exchange for my seat donations I was promised I could keep those seats as long as I continued the donation. Now we are putting luxury boxes and premium seating, which in theory will produce greater revenue on top of my seats. Thus, breaking the promise UConn made.
So while it’s untruthful and unethical it’s also bad business. Elsewhere, entertainment failure Freimuth, talks about seats that could be used for all events - as he fantasizes about the upscale luxury market’s appeal for the Hartford Wolfpack, who he has made the building’s top tenant by giving them priority on game dates. Something tells me this is going to end similar to all of Fremuth’s other XL Center ideas. This time $100 million wasted.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'm glad I don't live in Connecticut anymore.

TD Garden in Boston cost $160M. We would certainly be happy with that venue and honestly, one 2000 seats smaller. But because the state farted around so long now the cost has risen.

Construction Cost Rankings For NBA Arenas | From This Seat

See how much money was spent on constructing your favorite NBA arena.

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[ConnEd]

One significant problem is that concerts have moved to the casinos and outdoor venues. I went to many a concert in my youth at HCC. But now, if I want to see a show in an arena, I’ve got to schlep (I live west of Hartford) all the way to Ledyard or head to NYC. Part of that is that there aren’t as many touring acts that can fill a bigger arena any more as the music business has become more stratified. I wonder if Providence has suffered a similar fate - being skipped by tours in favor of Mohegan or Foxwoods then on to Boston?

This leads me to believe that without one or two pro teams to support it, a big arena will always struggle in Hartford without something else (music industry?) outside of its control changing too.

 

[Caronimo]

Maybe this will allow for properly working toilets. It's a start but not enough. The NCAA tourney showed what the biggest flaws of the place were and those need to be fixed... I am afraid that calls for a rebuild.

Ned will tax the air we breathe in the building so why not just go big?

 

[HuskyHawk]

One significant problem is that concerts have moved to the casinos and outdoor venues. I went to many a concert in my youth at HCC. But now, if I want to see a show in an arena, I’ve got to schlep (I live west of Hartford) all the way to Ledyard or head to NYC. Part of that is that there aren’t as many touring acts that can fill a bigger arena any more as the music business has become more stratified. I wonder if Providence has suffered a similar fate - being skipped by tours in favor of Mohegan or Foxwoods then on to Boston?

This leads me to believe that without one or two pro teams to support it, a big arena will always struggle in Hartford without something else (music industry?) outside of its control changing too.

The Dunk isn't much of a concert venue. I live 20 minutes away and 20 minutes from Xfinity Center in Mansfield MA. Shows seem to go to Boston Garden and sometimes Mohegan. Any show that can play there doesn't hit the Dunk. Xfinity gets shows that hit the similar outdoor venue in Hartford. Smaller shows go to Foxwoods and to the Boston outdoor venue in the Seaport. There's not much for those smaller areas like Worcester and Providence.

 

[Caronimo]

The Dunk isn't much of a concert venue. I live 20 minutes away and 20 minutes from Xfinity Center in Mansfield MA. Shows seem to go to Boston Garden and sometimes Mohegan. Any show that can play there doesn't hit the Dunk. Xfinity gets shows that hit the similar outdoor venue in Hartford. Smaller shows go to Foxwoods and to the Boston outdoor venue in the Seaport. There's not much for those smaller areas like Worcester and Providence.

I will say I went to a concert at the XL Center a few months ago and it was awesome. I never would have expected a show at the dump center to be good but it was incredible. The place has potential and always feels like a home to me, but it needs a lot more work than 55 mill

 

[CL82]

CDRA has to develop a plan that shows a reasonable ROI over a reasonable period. If they can't then just sell the place, if you can find a buyer. In the meantime, UConn and the XL need a new deal or UConn should only use the place a few times a year when the kids are on break or when the opponent justifies it. We can't afford what we pay to use it. I'm pretty confident that we make more money at Gampel given the difference in overhead, parking revenues, and bookstore sales.

 

[John]

I'm an XL season ticket holder, and as much as it'd hurt me, I've long felt they need to pull out of the XL with the exception of a handful of games, maybe 3 max.

 

[Deepster]

Anyone who yearns for or thinks of Hartford Civic/XL as a current or future concert venue needs to get out of the 1990's.

Iron Horse, Infinity Hall, Mohegan, Foxwoods, Xfinity have all become newer and/or better facilities to see live music.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Maybe it's Ned Ryerson, not Lamont?

Needle nose Ned?

 

[Austin316]

No sports club will come here with the arena as is. It may never happen again (RIP Whalers) but if it did at least XL can be up to date on amenities.

 

[Palatine]

No sports club will come here with the arena as is. It may never happen again (RIP Whalers) but if it did at least XL can be up to date on amenities.

NO sports team will come to a state losing population, jobs, Fortune 500 companies. For good measure add in high taxes and with no growth prospects on the horizon. No team in their right mind would move to the state.

 

[gampelcrazies]

Freimuth and his CRDA no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt. In exchange for my seat donations I was promised I could keep those seats as long as I continued the donation. Now we are putting luxury boxes and premium seating, which in theory will produce greater revenue on top of my seats. Thus, breaking the promise UConn made.
So while it’s untruthful and unethical it’s also bad business. Elsewhere, entertainment failure Freimuth, talks about seats that could be used for all events - as he fantasizes about the upscale luxury market’s appeal for the Hartford Wolfpack, who he has made the building’s top tenant by giving them priority on game dates. Something tells me this is going to end similar to all of Fremuth’s other XL Center ideas. This time $100 million wasted.

UConn isn't going to break a promise if they renovate the XL. They will offer you the same seat or if it doesn't exist it will be a comparable seat.

 

[Austin316]

NO sports team will come to a state losing population, jobs, Fortune 500 companies. For good measure add in high taxes and with no growth prospects on the horizon. No team in their right mind would move to the state.

 

[XLCenterFan]

Before people comment in this thread, they should list how often they attend the XL Center. I have attended roughly 10 events a year there since about 1990. That's 300 times.

I must say that I am glad to see Lamont throwing a few bucks at the arena. If I'm going to sip some Lil' Heaven and watch my games/shows, I wouldn't mind a slight upgrade!

 

[huskymedic]

>>A $100 million renovation of Hartford’s XL Center arena would dramatically cut annual operating losses at the 16,000-seat venue but not boost revenues enough to attract private investors to the project, a new study shows.

In a 179-page report, Conventions, Sports & Leisure International, a Texas-based consultant, said the renovation would likely cut annual losses of $2 million to $3 million to about $500,000.

However, “it is not anticipated that private financing will be a viable source of project funding,” CSL said in its report to the board of directors of the Capital Region Development Authority Thursday.<<

Alternate access link here<<

 

[SubbaBub]

Unfortunately, that arena is dead and no money is going to fix it. Without a major anchor attraction, it’s pissing away good money after bad. Get an NHL team in and do it right. Concert venues have eaten up that business and the Wolfpack isn’t the answer.

Yup, this is it. For a time there was a case to be made for prolonging the building as an interim home for an NHL team while a new arena is built should a team materialize. That case was built on interim renovations and the ability of the AHL, UConn, and concerts filling out enough of the calendar to support the effort.

That time has passed, this would be the third or fourth major renovation. UConn ticket sales are down and can not justify the size of the building. The AHL never took off (lol), and the civic center isn't competitive (or attractive) as a concert venue.

Take the $55M and build UConn a hockey rink. Then think real hard about if you want to continue hosting UConn games in the Hartford area. If the answer is yes, then figure out how to build an appropriate arena.

The current situation is a subsidy for Downtown Hartford, LAZ Parking and the seven restaurants that benefit from these events. Sell the land to Avalon or some other condo developer. The area is a ghost town on non-event nights.

 

[CL82]

So by investing $100M in renovation of the XL Center, it would "likely" cut annual losses of $2 million to $3 million to about $500,000. Oh and then there's this little nugget:

The financial projections assume CRDA will acquire the atrium and retail space outside the arena to expand the existing concourse and add more concessions and services.

Uh, good luck with that.

 

[John]

Yup, this is it. For a time there was a case to be made for prolonging the building as an interim home for an NHL team while a new arena is built should a team materialize. That case was built on interim renovations and the ability of the AHL, UConn, and concerts filling out enough of the calendar to support the effort.

That time has passed, this would be the third or fourth major renovation. UConn ticket sales are down and can not justify the size of the building. The AHL never took off (lol), and the civic center isn't competitive (or attractive) as a concert venue.

Take the $55M and build UConn a hockey rink. Then think real hard about if you want to continue hosting UConn games in the Hartford area. If the answer is yes, then figure out how to build an appropriate arena.

The current situation is a subsidy for Downtown Hartford, LAZ Parking and the seven restaurants that benefit from these events. Sell the land to Avalon or some other condo developer. The area is a ghost town on non-event nights.

It'll hurt me personally fan-wise but UConn has really got to think about bailing out of Hartford save maybe 2-3 games a year.

 

[Chin Diesel]

So by investing $100M in renovation of the XL Center, it would "likely" cut annual losses of $2 million to $3 million to about $500,000. Oh and then there's this little nugget:

Uh, good luck with that.

It sounds like a great deal. Invest $100M and recover that money in 35-45 years.

 

[CL82]

It sounds like a great deal. Invest $100M and recover that money in 35-45 years.

You mean recover that money never because even under the projections losses continue.

 

[uconnric]

Typical Lamont. Anything worth doing is worth doing half-arsed.

You’re right. We should do nothing and let the arena go to hell. You think a complete overhaul would pass the legislature? What do you propose ?