Outlet Shopping Center coming to The Rent

[DarthGrumpy]

Storrs Center - totally agree.

Having a Tommy Hilfiger outlet 2 miles from the field? Uh, ok?

Depends, if the Outlets do well at the Rent and it results in additional development of restaurants, bars, maybe a hotel, and hopefully an expansion of the Rent itself to 50K/60K while not taking away from the fan experience, i.e. tailgating, like a smaller version of Patriot's Place, then it would be a positive.
It may help that the new P&W headquarters and training center will be within walking distance, too. That's 1,000 employees and a few hundred travelers and their wallets on a daily basis at lunchtime and after hours and not just on game day.

 

[RedSoloCup]

From a visiting team perspective, it would let folks know there is more to do than sit in the hotel room or head to the casino.

Alumni visiting will at least know of more things to do in the state; visitors will not have much reference. With this and other efforts like Front St in downtown, we will be more welcoming.

 

[TheDoggPound]

Man this is big - 200K sq ft. That's a good size.

Hartford Business Journal says it's going to be 350k sq ft.

 

[Jarhead_1775]

Now if only the EH zoning board (whose average age is 97) don't screw it up. They've shot down more reasonable development in this town than I care to think about. You'd think they'd like to grow the grand list rather than the mill rate.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Now if only the EH zoning board (whose average age is 97) don't screw it up. They've shot down more reasonable development in this town than I care to think about. You'd think they'd like to grow the grand list rather than the mill rate.

Must be related to some of the folks I used to know living in NH. The Manchester city board and many locals complained about retail, service, and high-tech firms taking over space in the old mills along the Merrimack River because the textile and wood mill jobs were coming back any day now…

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Will they still keep the stadium in the dark at night? Shame that with all the traffic that Cabela's brings in, it's a shame that the outside of the pressbox side of the stadium can't be lit up so that people (even non football fans) can at least recognize that its UConn's field. Gosh, tourists from Texas and Florida might actually think its East Hartford High's stadium - big for preps, too small for college.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

FYI, some history on the earlier attempt to get UConn football to Hartford as part of the Pat’s Stadium and, no, based on experience living around Boston, I do not believe a word out of Kraft’s mouth.

http://www.courant.com/news/connect...rtford-patriots-0317-20140316,0,5624041.story

 

[Stray_Dog]

Anyone, know how this might impact tailgating?

 

[CTMike]

Anyone, know how this might impact tailgating?

Shouldn't impact it one bit.

 

[Hoophound]

Anyone, know how this might impact tailgating?

Yes, it is going to become very expensive for husbands and fathers. The only thing my wife likes better than a few beers and a cookout with friends on a crisp fall day is an outlet mall.

 

[Jax Husky]

With Westfarms on one side, Buckland Hills/Evergreen Walk on the other... Closest outlets an hour away... I think outlets are a smart choice that will do well on their own without any connection to Rentschler itself. That said I really do hope they include some UConn tie-ins in the development.

Yeah, I really liked the idea of a Dairy Bar (instead of Cold Stone) and Co-Op. Putting some sort of small student center on the grounds would also help create a more "college-like" atmosphere. Students can go in for free and get drinks, go to the bathroom, hang out (maybe put a dedicated student tailgating area there...basically a building that would attract a large group of students, rather than have them spread out all over.

 

[CTMike]

I've mentioned in threads past that we have to make the Rent the best it can be because it is where it is for at least the next 40 years (probably more). So if we can't bring the Rent to Storrs, bring Storrs to the Rent.

 

[CL82]

I can't believe no one else has mentioned this! Company is based in Michigan with executive offices in Chicago. The writing is on the wall. The invite is coming! They are obviously smart and have inside information!

Conspiracy Kitty says:
...Nothing. She just smiles and nods.

 

[BugsyCT]

New hoops arena on campus? Are we talking about expanding Gampel (only 24 years old) or a whole new arena?

 

[CL82]

New hoops arena on campus? Are we talking about expanding Gampel (only 24 years old) or a whole new arena?

I'd be happy if they'd just fix the roof. I expect that they are waiting until they finish the practice facility.

 

[Husky25]

I'd be happy if they'd just fix the roof. I expect that they are waiting until they finish the practice facility.

I agree wholeheartedly, but this is the cue for some beatnik to mention what a work of art the tiles are and they are impossible to duplicate.

 

[TheDoggPound]

http://www.courant.com/real-estate/...mall-simon-property-group-20150825-story.html

 

[Jax Husky]

http://www.courant.com/real-estate/...mall-simon-property-group-20150825-story.html

"You must subscribe to view"


That's why I hate the Courant.

 

[mets1090]

"You must subscribe to view"


That's why I hate the Courant.

I concur. But I think you can "subscribe" for free with an email address.

Just use a fake address if you're worried about spam and the like. Probably not worth the hassle for this one article, but when you consider that a bunch of Courant stuff gets linked here..

 

[mikedog10]

"You must subscribe to view"


That's why I hate the Courant.

Copy the name of the article and paste it into a Google search. The article will be the first result and you will not need to register. It has something to do with the fact that you were directed there by a search rather than clicking the link directly from the Courant site. I don't know why it works like that but I'm not complaining.

 

[minidarren]

None of the links even go to articles right now. All "page not found."

 

[DarthGrumpy]

This is likely it, basically Simon Group has proposed for all intents a competing development in Windsor Locks off of I-91. Doubtful both would get built.

http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/art...965/premium-outlet-mall-set-for-windsor-locks

 

[Jax Husky]

Nobody goes up to northern central CT unless they are headed to the Airport. East Hartford is a much better location for the shopping center, IMO.

Great, now I am here justifying why the Rent is the best home for a shopping mall. Hope the season gets here soon.

 

[SonsOfNutmeg]

I just hope to god they don't bring another BS "luxury" outlet like the Tanger one in Westbrook or the new Foxwoods one. Nothing that different/unique from anywhere you'd see anywere else in the country. It would be awesome if this was a deal more connected in theme to UConn and Connecticut (a la Patriots Place) but alas, I'm sure it will be generic and lack any UConn connective tissue us fan so desire. A bar would be HUGE though.

 

[mets1090]

I just hope to god they don't bring another BS "luxury" outlet like the Tanger one in Westbrook or the new Foxwoods one. Nothing that different/unique from anywhere you'd see anywere else in the country. It would be awesome if this was a deal more connected in theme to UConn and Connecticut (a la Patriots Place) but alas, I'm sure it will be generic and lack any UConn connective tissue us fan so desire. A bar would be HUGE though.

To be fair, even from our perspective, the mall isn't there to attract die hards. It should be a great way to attract wishy washy fans and hopefully put butts in the seats which is really what we need right now. Granted, if there's a Nike outlet it would be nice if it was loaded with UConn stuff.

As others have said, the only thing I'm overly concerned about right now would be a couple sports bars. Could be a solid alternative to tailgating when it rains or the temps drop into the 20s. It would also be great to tailgate before the game and then hit a sports bar right after.