Hartford/Elm City Thread

[UCFBfan]

As the article below clearly communicates, while the Data Mail "...Mandell’s bid seems to involve the more attractive league, money could be a sticking point. This is a city, after all, that said it may go bankrupt as soon as November and faced a storm of criticism when it publicly financed Dunkin’ Donuts Park for Minor League Baseball’s Hartford Yard Goats.

Sarwar has pledged to put $400,000 of his own money into improving the stadium and said he’s confident of his chances to win the Dillon bid because he’s not asking for public assistance. Meanwhile, Mandell said he is committing between $7 million and $10 million in private money, but that’s to operate the team.

“In order to get that stadium to be usable again in any professional way, there’s a significant public investment that needs to be made,” Mandell said."

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So, how do you feel Mr or Mrs parent of children in Hartford's public schools? How about you Mr or Mrs Taxpayer in other cities and towns who will reluctantly contribute to bailing the City of Hartford out of its' financial mess? What do you say, want to renovate a run down stadium on your dime?

This is exactly it. There’s not a shot they go with the Data Mail guy for this exact reason. Not only will it be a bad decision, it will get shredded publicly due to all of Hartford’s financial woes. No way this guy gets a dime from the city to renovate Dillon.

 

[Palatine]

13 minutes on what Hartford should do with Colt Park. And why kids are being priced out of soccer and other sports.

 

[HWP1997]

Considering Hartford's current financial situation, I think it's pretty well established that Sarwar's proposal makes the most sense. Then again, none of the proposals are foolproof. The $400,000 he's pledging is just enough (or so he says) to bring the facility up to code and make it usable. But is it enough to turn it into a home for a professional soccer team? Not to mention the league he wants to bring in is currently unsanctioned and unstable. We can speculate all we want but no one really knows if NASL will be around next year. Let's not forget the whole point of this is to bring stable professional soccer to Hartford.

I found an interesting tidbit from this Courant article:

City leaders, who recently contemplated bankruptcy, have said they do not have money for the redevelopment. But CRDA officials haven’t ruled out a contribution.

Freimuth said this week that any financial backing from the state would likely be part of a wider effort to improve Colt Park. The funding would cover not only Dillon’s upgrades, but also maintenance throughout Colt and new programs for children and young adults at the park.

“If we go in to make some upgrades at Dillon, we’re going to go into it with other components in mind,” he said. “Colt Park could use some help.”

 

[HWP1997]

Michael Freimuth is lost if he thinks this market wants to be Robert Kraft's farm club.. What an absolute travesty that will be if it happens. I definitely won't support them, that's for sure.

So you won't support a Hartford based team if it's affiliated with a team owned by Kraft? Wow and I thought Failers fans were supposed to be "pro-Hartford." Just shows how fake you morons are. I bet you'd "support" them if they had a Failers night. haha

 

[WestHartHusk]

So you won't support a Hartford based team if it's affiliated with a team owned by Kraft? Wow and I thought Failers fans were supposed to be "pro-Hartford." Just shows how fake you morons are. I bet you'd "support" them if they had a Failers night. haha

You don't have to agree with the posters, but is it really so hard to understand why some people don't want to support clubs that are just training grounds for owners/cities that help suppress our region?

 

[HWP1997]

You don't have to agree with the posters, but is it really so hard to understand why some people don't want to support clubs that are just training grounds for owners/cities that help suppress our region?

I understand the rationale behind it but still think it's a lame excuse not to support the hometown team regardless of affiliation. Some people are still bitter at Kraft for screwing Hartford over in 1999. Yeah, what he did was shady but that was 18 years ago! There has to come a time when you have to let go of the bitterness and just move on. As for the "training grounds for owners/cities that help suppress our region" part, what do you expect? Hartford has been a minor league city since 1997 serving as a doormat for the New York Rangers and Colorado Rockies. Most people have accepted it for what it is. Do I wish Hartford to be a major league city again? Of course. But I doubt it's going to happen in our lifetime. Sometimes reality can be a b****. In the meantime, we should be grateful any soccer league wants to call Hartford home. There are two leagues interested with one thriving and the other being on life support. I might prefer the USL over NASL, but at the end of the day I support Hartford soccer! We don't need another fractured fanbase like Hartford hockey has.

 

[HWP1997]

And the hits just keep on coming for the NASL.

Two more teams depart struggling NASL

It's gotten to the point that this league is no longer a viable option for Hartford.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

And the hits just keep on coming for the NASL. Two more teams depart struggling NASL It's gotten to the point that this league is no longer a viable option for Hartford.

A subjective perspective indeed, but Hartford's taxpayers, Mayor, school leaders and parents, etc and other Connecticut politicians may not give a carp <sic>. Perhaps even more importantly, Connecticut taxpayers who will soon be further on the take to bail out the Insurance City will likely have strong views on allocating unavailable to renovate Dillon Stadium. In particular, for a prospective yet not definitive owner of a non-existence USL franchise. A guy who stated no intent to financially contribute to any dilapidated stadium improvements. Compelling opportunity ...

 

[HWP1997]

A subjective perspective indeed, but Hartford's taxpayers, Mayor, school leaders and parents, etc and other Connecticut politicians may not give a carp <sic>. Perhaps even more importantly, Connecticut taxpayers who will soon be further on the take to bail out the Insurance City will likely have strong views on allocating unavailable to renovate Dillon Stadium. In particular, for a prospective yet not definitive owner of a non-existence USL franchise. A guy who stated no intent to financially contribute to any dilapidated stadium improvements. Compelling opportunity ...

We could always root for the guy who wants to renovate Dillon in phases but has no plans on bringing in a soccer team.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

We could always root for the guy who wants to renovate Dillon in phases but has no plans on bringing in a soccer team.

Alternatively, CT's taxpayers could always root for prioritizing allocation of taxpayer-generated revenues to far more important, non-soccer related objectives. Or, to simply not giving data dude stadium improvements he has no intention of helping finance.

 

[HWP1997]

Alternatively, CT's taxpayers could always root for prioritizing allocation of taxpayer-generated revenues to far more important, non-soccer related objectives. Or, to simply not giving data dude stadium improvements he has no intention of helping finance.

I've chatted with the owner of HCFC and he did say he isn't opposed to working with "data guy." If they teamed up and worked together, we could see HCFC is the USL? You never know. Anything can happen.

 

[ct06111]

Jeff Jacobs: Dare We Take Another Chance On Dillon Stadium Development?

 

[HWP1997]

Jeff Jacobs: Dare We Take Another Chance On Dillon Stadium Development?

Even Jacobs thinks Mandell's proposal has the most "pop."

 

[huskymedic]

 

[HWP1997]

Well there you have it folks.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

"So it's city-owned Dillon, a city already overwhelmed financially".

... and some political appointees' recommendation spitting in the faces of Connecticut's taxpaying-revenue creators. Makes sense

 

[UCFBfan]

Can’t wait to see the amount of money requested by this group for renovations. No chance this ever plays out. My guess is it fizzles out and nothing ever happens with Dillon.

I just can’t see how a city on the brink of bankruptcy can justify spending any money on something as meaningless as a minor league soccer stadium.

 

[HWP1997]

I just can’t see how a city on the brink of bankruptcy can justify spending any money on something as meaningless as a minor league soccer stadium.

I wouldn't exactly say renovating Dillon for pro soccer is "meaningless." Just like DD Park, a renovated Dillon would bring more people into the city.

 

[Waquoit]

I wouldn't exactly say renovating Dillon for pro soccer is "meaningless." Just like DD Park, a renovated Dillon would bring more people into the city.

And soccer seems like a good fit with the other goings on in the area.

 

[UCFBfan]

I wouldn't exactly say renovating Dillon for pro soccer is "meaningless." Just like DD Park, a renovated Dillon would bring more people into the city.

Can’t really compare the two. DD Park was built with the intent of enticing contractors to develop the land around it so the city would get the benefits of that. So far that has resulted in nothing. Are lots of folks going to games? Yes. However, how many of them end up staying for dinner or going out for drinks after? Right now, not many. That could change if they can develop the land around there but right now it’s just a hope.

Dillon is a different animal. It’s not located anywhere near downtown and the area around it is sketchy at best. Yes they have renovated the Colt building but other then that, there’s nothing. I don’t see how throwing city money to renovate it would benefit the city at all. It’s more likely people would not stick around after a game at Dillon then it is for a Yard Goats game.

At least at DD Park you could walk to the downtown restaurants and bars if you wanted to. Not so much from Dillon.

So I’m still sticking to my stance that throwing any city money at Dillon is a slap in the face to state tax payers who are paying to bail out Hartford already. Especially when an offer was on the table to do minor renovations with private funding.

 

[HWP1997]

Dillon is a different animal. It’s not located anywhere near downtown and the area around it is sketchy at best. Yes they have renovated the Colt building but other then that, there’s nothing. I don’t see how throwing city money to renovate it would benefit the city at all. It’s more likely people would not stick around after a game at Dillon then it is for a Yard Goats game.

What you fail to realize is there are a ton of rabid soccer fans in this state who have been yearning for a pro team to play in Hartford. I do believe a D2 team would be well supprted no matter where they end up playing in the city.

So I’m still sticking to my stance that throwing any city money at Dillon is a slap in the face to state tax payers who are paying to bail out Hartford already. Especially when an offer was on the table to do minor renovations with private funding.

Hartford has already said they're not funding the renovations but Friemuth hinted that money from the state could help get the job done. Oh and the private funding you speak of was described as "insufficient" in the eyes of the CRDA. CRDA Backs Woodbridge Businessman For Dillon Stadium Renovation

 

[UCFBfan]

That’s ridiculous. Money set aside for neighborhood projects that might actually help the neighborhood will now be used to refurbish a stadium for a team that still doesn’t exist? Let’s be honest, we all know there won’t be enough money there so the state or city will be forced to pay more in when the construction has already begun and costs run higher, a la DD Park.

I’m not doubting that there won’t be interest or fans won’t show up. I’m just not buying that this will be a boost in anyway for the city of Hartford. I think it’s even more ridiculous to use money set aside for actual projects that might help the neighborhoods around the city to help refurbish a stadium. Maybe it’s just me...

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

So I’m still sticking to my stance that throwing any city money at Dillon is a slap in the face to state tax payers who are paying to bail out Hartford already

Even among soccer's stronger CT supporters outside of the Hartford area, like the one-time NHL Whalers with state hockey fans, few CT residents will give a carp <sic>. Especially regarding a possible Hartford soccer team. Particularly, a minor league team playing in a fledgling area with only a blah brewery and a drive required to any reasonably good pub or restaurant (even by the Insurance City's standards of good).

As minimal City of Hartford money exists, and predominantly non-Hartford taxpayers will again be bent over to finance another low-priority project, who truly supports this mess? Well, other than some political appointees with apparent minimal focus on priorities, data dude, and his PR boy?

 

[UCFBfan]

I gotta say that it would be interesting if a team was serious about investing and somehow was able to build something smallish next to DD Park in one of the parcels they are selling. Would make a small sports complex and might even make the XL Center a little bit more appealing for a potential buyer because of the sports mix. I know it’ll never happen and it would cost way more then what they will do to Dillon but would be intriguing if that ever happened. I think you’d be more likely to see the other parcels around DD Park bought up quicker and built on. People would be coming in for games, soccer fans could walk from Vaughn’s or any of the bars downtown to the game, and would be a pretty good scene.

However, I’m not a dreamer and know that Hartford will screw it all up, agree to use this state money to get the Data Mail guy and then find out he doesn’t have the cash, no team shows up, and the stadium costs will rise so high that the project remains forever in a state of incompletion.

 

[HWP1997]

Like it or not, the CRDA recommended Mandell's proposal. Now it's up to Hartford as to what will happen going forward.

 

[ZooCougar]

I gotta say that it would be interesting if a team was serious about investing and somehow was able to build something smallish next to DD Park in one of the parcels they are selling. Would make a small sports complex and might even make the XL Center a little bit more appealing for a potential buyer because of the sports mix. I know it’ll never happen and it would cost way more then what they will do to Dillon but would be intriguing if that ever happened. I think you’d be more likely to see the other parcels around DD Park bought up quicker and built on. People would be coming in for games, soccer fans could walk from Vaughn’s or any of the bars downtown to the game, and would be a pretty good scene.

However, I’m not a dreamer and know that Hartford will screw it all up, agree to use this state money to get the Data Mail guy and then find out he doesn’t have the cash, no team shows up, and the stadium costs will rise so high that the project remains forever in a state of incompletion.

That would make too much sense. But CT doesn’t think big so there you go.

 

[HWP1997]

Looks like Failers fans are going to pretend to "support" Hartford soccer if any future squad is named in honor of their dead team. What makes this Facebook post very comical is this clown doesn't even give two craps about soccer. Well, the joke is on them. Mandell has been in talks with the Revolution about a possible affiliation. I'd like to see Failers fans pretend to "support" a team that's affiliated with a MLS club owned by Kraft. LOL

Oh and New London is the "Whaling City", not Hartford.

 

[FartMan69]

They'd be dumb not to associate with the Whaler theme in some way, worked for the Yard Goats.

 

[HWP1997]

They'd be dumb not to associate with the Whaler theme in some way, worked for the Yard Goats.

It would be fine if the colors were blue and green, but they can do better than "Whale City FC."

 

[Waquoit]

It would be fine if the colors were blue and green, but they can do better than "Whale City FC."

Keep posting. I've gone from being a big supporter to apathetic about the whole thing if it means lining up next to you.