New XL Renovations

[gampelcrazies]

Hey who needs good renovations? Not like we are a top program in the country. And fans get to save 25 minutes of travel by not having to trek up to Storrs. XL for life!!!!

 

[TheChamps990411]

The university should think about stop playing games in Hartford, expand Gampel, and build an on campus football stadium

I think they should tear down XL, build something modern and while thats going on all games are at Gampel even if it takes a couple of seasons. Of course this has zero chance of happening.

 

[ctchamps]

High crime rate??? Are you kidding me? Why has the world moved away from facts? See the screen shot, all I had to do was google it.

What do you expect from a hanging judge.

 

[CTBasketball]

So, if I'm going to push? 90% of the places you've named have been open for 25+ years. I used my fake ID to get in the Russian Lady in 1987.

It’s about who you’re with not where you’re at!

 

[UCLJ0211]

I’m remaining optimistic that maybe we will be pleasantly surprised with the renovations. (Hopefully)

 

[HooperScooper]

Huh? I'd love to hear the explanation behind this one...

Pros: Good public schools, 4 seasons (if winter's your thing), proximity to other (better) places.
Cons: Where do you start here? Taxes, taxes, taxes. Poor job market. Exorbitant housing costs. Horrible state to retire in. High crime rate.

You forgot a pro; great pizza. Hey, any pro helps.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

At this point I think the only hope for this building is that OVG can make enough money with the premium options they are adding for this renovation, and decide to take full control from CRDA, and pump more money into the building with further renovations. IMO, there is no reason they shouldnt be able to do more than 5 concerts per year here. I understand they have competition with Mohegan and the outdoor venues, but this place can fit so many more people then Mohegan.

I believe OVG said with this round of renovations that include loading dock and stage placement/movement, they could add about 25-30 more concerts a year. That's a game changer for XL.

 

[HuskyAlum012]

I believe OVG said with this round of renovations that include loading dock and stage placement/movement, they could add about 25-30 more concerts a year. That's a game changer for XL.

I'm pretty sure they scrapped the loading dock replacement from this renovation because it was going to be too expensive.

 

[Chief00]

How does the CRDA siphon money out of the XL Center for themselves?

They collect CRDA salaries - in part where does the money come from to fund those?

 

[Waquoit]

Huh? I'd love to hear the explanation behind this one...

Pros: Good public schools, 4 seasons (if winter's your thing), proximity to other (better) places.
Cons: Where do you start here? Taxes, taxes, taxes. Poor job market. Exorbitant housing costs. Horrible state to retire in. High crime rate.

I don't spend one second of my life worrying about taxes. My buddy put 4 kids through public school and bitches about taxes all the time. When I say I paid for your kids he gets mad. High crime rate is BS, you are less safe in a red state. Women aren't in danger of jail for being pregnant. This state still sticks up for every citizen, not just a chosen few. That's priceless.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Huh? I'd love to hear the explanation behind this one...

Pros: Good public schools, 4 seasons (if winter's your thing), proximity to other (better) places.
Cons: Where do you start here? Taxes, taxes, taxes. Poor job market. Exorbitant housing costs. Horrible state to retire in. High crime rate.

The car tax used to pi$$ me off so much.

 

[Deepster]

It’s about who you’re with not where you’re at!

Okay. Fair.

Then why does it matter whether it’s Hartford or West Hartford or Glastonbury?

 

[Dove]

The Civic Center is an outdated hockey arena for a team that left 30 some odd years ago. Its very existence is a continual reminder of rot, decay, and failure. I can't fathom why the entire state is beholden to the CRDA's wet dreams. Makes me embarrassed to be a resident of this state.

Post/Handle

 

[CTBasketball]

Okay. Fair.

Then why does it matter whether it’s Hartford or West Hartford or Glastonbury?

Fine you win. Non-game day I’m not going into Hartford. But the game day environment is very good. Bars are full, restaurants packed. The vibe changes. All those aforementioned places are slammed with UConn fans.

Tough to find that in Storrs, Newark, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, or other Big East cities.

 

[superjohn]

Fine you win. Non-game day I’m not going into Hartford. But the game day environment is very good. Bars are full, restaurants packed. The vibe changes. All those aforementioned places are slammed with UConn fans.

Tough to find that in Storrs, Newark, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, or other Big East cities.

It's so rare I get to go to UConn games in Hartford but I've always had fun in recent years and it's definitely a good game day atmosphere at the bars.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

They collect CRDA salaries - in part where does the money come from to fund those?

It's a state funded economic development agency.

 

[CL82]

The Wolf Pack gets good crowds and the games are fun. That's a problem how? Most of the cities teams in our cohort have a similar arena situation. But the XL makes you embarrassed to live here? Silly. We live in one of the best states in the country.

 

[CL82]

It's a state funded economic development agency.

That doesn't actually develop the economy. Every single venture they've ever operated has been run at a loss. Every single one.

Maybe try something new?

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

That doesn't actually develop the economy. Every single venture they've ever operated has been run at a loss. Every single one.

Maybe try something new?

Ok, so they oversee three venues (and loan monies to developers to build housing):

1. XL
2. The Rent
3. CT Convention Center

The first two don't have a top tier pro team tenant. Most buildings of that ilk don't turn profits. XL has not been upgraded through no fault of the CRDA but rather Fairfield County legislators' opposition. The Rent (another building ignored by legislators) sure would've been much better off if its major tenant of 6 or 7 dates a year could've hired competent head coaches.

The convention center is typical of convention centers across the country - they're loss leaders (maybe 10 buildings make a profit).

What do you suggest the CRDA do differently? Mind you, I'm not saying they're without faults here and there.

 

[uconnbill]

High crime rate??? Are you kidding me? Why has the world moved away from facts? See the screen shot, all I had to do was google it.

They hide stats just ask those fighting crime and they will tell you how much gets swept under the carpet.
Theft is up, car jackings are up, assaults are up. Again the numbers are not being reported. Ask any beat cop who is not polticial

 

[WrenchFan69]

They hide stats just ask those fighting crime and they will tell you how much gets swept under the carpet.
Theft is up, car jackings are up, assaults are up. Again the numbers are not being reported. Ask any beat cop who is not polticial

Are other states not doing the same thing? Seems unlikely

 

[CL82]

Ok, so they oversee three venues (and loan monies to developers to build housing):

1. XL
2. The Rent
3. CT Convention Center

The first two don't have a top tier pro team tenant. Most buildings of that ilk don't turn profits. XL has not been upgraded through no fault of the CRDA but rather Fairfield County legislators' opposition. The Rent (anotger building ignored by legilators) sure would've been much better off if its major tenant of 6 or 7 dates a year could've hired competent head coaches.

The convention center is typical of Convention centers across the country - they're loss leaders (maybe 10 buildings make a profit).

What do you suggest the CRDA do differently? Mind you, I'm not saying they're without faults here and there.

Don don't forget Dillan stadium and Showcase Cinemas.

I'd suggest that they disband and eliminate their salaries since they hire professional management anyway. I'd also suggest that they stop hiding their losses in the university of Connecticut athletic department by overcharging us. That's the thing that bugs me. They hide their ineptitude by shifting losses to our athletic department, which intern makes us less desirable for conference alignment.

 

[superjohn]

They hide stats just ask those fighting crime and they will tell you how much gets swept under the carpet.
Theft is up, car jackings are up, assaults are up. Again the numbers are not being reported. Ask any beat cop who is not polticial

Connecticut is one of the safest states in the country. The cities are dangerous but not as bad as many cities in the Midwest and South. Connecticut has always had the largest wealth gap or one of the largest wealth gaps in the country. Extreme poverty right next to some of the most extreme wealth you'll ever see.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Don don't forget Dillan stadium and Showcase Cinemas.

I'd suggest that they disband and eliminate their salaries since they hire professional management anyway. I'd also suggest that they stop hiding their losses in the university of Connecticut athletic department by overcharging us. That's the thing that bugs me. They hide their ineptitude by shifting losses to our athletic department, which intern makes us less desirable for conference alignment.

I wasn't aware the CRDA was involved with Dillon Stadium - I know it is a City of Hartford property but didn't think CRDA got involved?

What is the issue with Showcase Cinemas?

I know it's all state government accounting regarding rent/etc arrangements between UConn and XL/Rent, so not really sure it matters much. And one thing that UConn has never carried on its books has been debt service for the Rent, so that has obviously been a plus for UConn (many state universities around the country carry large debt loads on their athletic department books for their football stadiums). Maybe that was part of the "deal" for the Rent?

 

[Waquoit]

Ask any beat cop who is not polticial

They are all political. just like you.