Stadium on campus?

[CL82]

I think its close enough to be considered on campus, but if not, perhaps this could be a catalyst to revamp the Depot Campus. There's a lot of potential there. It's a shame what that area has become. If a new stadium is in the cards, I hope the powers that be think a little bigger than a stadium and maybe develop a plan that could be an economic driver for the university and general area. A multi-use stadium that would be used more often the 6 games a year. I use Rentschler as an example, there is so much more potential to increase the revenue if it were used more often.

You could build an amazing stadium on the depot campus. I just find the notion of saying "let's fix our off-campus stadium problem by building another off-campus stadium" troubling.

 

[powerplay]

You could build an amazing stadium on the depot campus. I just find the notion of saying "let's fix our off-campus stadium problem by building another off-campus stadium" troubling.

To piggy back my earlier thought, develop a plan that includes the Depot campus in an expanded main campus so the theoretical new stadium would be on campus.

 

[CL82]

To piggy back my earlier thought, develop a plan that includes the Depot campus in an expanded main campus so the theoretical new stadium would be on campus.

Well, I've been a proponent of expanding the Storrs campus along the rt44 highway corridor street into Hartford so that then the XL center would be on campus.

 

[huskymedic]

I actually feel like you and I had a conversation about this and that you indicated that the athletic district required no further approvals, perhaps because it was already zoned for use for athletic complexes? Again, I'm combining a vague recollection, with speculation, but perhaps discovery Drive is zoned for industrial use and thus would require additional approvals were to put a stadium in there?

Does that ring any bells, because I feel like it was you and I talked about this?

The on-campus/off campus discussion has taken place around here so many times in different threads over the past decade anything is possible but it’s not ringing the victory bell in my head. I remember posting who owns what land plots.

I think anything but Horsebarn Hill is actually feasible if it ever comes to fruition.

 

[CL82]

The on-campus/off campus discussion has taken place around here so many times in different threads over the past decade anything is possible but it’s not ringing the victory bell. I remember posting who owns what land plots.

I think anything but Horsebarn Hill is actually feasible if it ever comes to fruition.

My recollection of it is pretty vague as well, other than thinking it was an insightful point by whomever posted it.

So, maybe that's a compliment?

 

[Blueballer]

I admire the unbridled enthusiasm here for a campus stadium project but you guys are really dreaming.

 

[Rdkid]

I admire the unbridled enthusiasm here for a campus stadium project but you guys are really dreaming.

If the only angle is to protect basketball, then a small-ball approach is what will happen. To be one of 60-something big programs that are effectively pro sports franchises puts UConn on a different path. It will all be decided before we collect a dollar in football revenue from the B12.

 

[powerplay]

I'd list that as the number two choice behind the athletics campus but before Horse Barn Hill. The downside is the distance from Burton and Shenkman and the fact that building on Discovery Drive would require approvals from the town of Mansfield. Given their history, I think we could expect a concerted effort to slow down the project by NIMBYism. To the best of my belief, no approval by Mansfield is necessary to build in the athletic campus.

I'm asking because I'm not sure, but Isn't Discovery Dr considered state property, so Mansfield approval wouldn't be needed.

 

[CL82]

I'm asking because I'm not sure, but Isn't Discovery Dr considered state property, so Mansfield approval wouldn't be needed.

Based upon my vague recollections of a conversation that took place on The Boneyard within the last decade, I believe there were additional requirements for Discovery Drive, possibly a zoning waiver which would have to go before the Mansfield planning board. If you've ever been to one of those they can be in incredible PITA because every person present gets to ask every expert questions. They drag on forever.

For whatever reason, building in the athletic campus, according to my recollection, didn't have this restriction, possibly because it's already zoned for athletic stadia.

But, really all that is is a vague recollection with some educated guesses.

 

[CL82]

Unfortunately the town of Mansfield put up barriers, traffic etc for about 6 weekends a year

Just curious, how did Mansfield "put up these barriers?" Particularly before the state legislature I'm not sure how that would work, exactly.

 

[ktuck911]

Potential stadium sites on campus:

View attachment 103073

 

[ktuck911]

Either by North Eagleville or next to Buckley... let EO Smith stay where it is

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I'm asking because I'm not sure, but Isn't Discovery Dr considered state property, so Mansfield approval wouldn't be needed.

IIRC the Mansfield town council ended up supporting the stadium. There was a local citizen group including university academics called "Makes Sense Mansfield" or some such name that lobbied against it which included going to the Democrat running for governor during this time in Barbara Kennelly whose father was the state Democratic chair. Think she was wishy-washy on the idea...I think Rowland wanted to call a special session at the end of the year to begin the process but called it off as support for the stadium waned.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Potential stadium sites on campus:

View attachment 103073

Not behind Mansfield Supply? Thought that was the original spot.

 

[CL82]

Not behind Mansfield Supply? Thought that was the original spot.

I never really thought about that, is there enough room?

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I never really thought about that, is there enough room?

I would guess CL, it was my recollection that it was the chosen site after the Memorial Stadium site was deemed inadequate. Way back in the day I was able to see a wooden model of the master plan that had campus expansion heading south on 195 toward Willi. Filled with many buildings on both sides of the road. Any future stadium would be in the northern part of campus to prevent having traffic thru campus on game day as most of the off-campus fans would be coming from I-84.

 

[huskymedic]

Not behind Mansfield Supply? Thought that was the original spot.

I never really thought about that, is there enough room?

From a previous thread:

University of Connecticut property:



For reference - the notch off Rt195 on right side is the Mansfield Supply property (9.23.13 & 9.23.14)

 

[Patman]

Look everything begins and ends with a state taking of property and telling Mansfield to shove it. They weren't willing to do it in 2000 and the state still had their dream of a Hartford stadium to have something going for them.

What that has to do with now, I have no idea anymore. Uconn wouldn't be the cluster..... of a state U without the state's incomplete commitment to the unversity.

 

[CL82]

I would guess CL, it was my recollection that it was the chosen site after the Memorial Stadium site was deemed inadequate. Way back in the day I was able to see a wooden model of the master plan that had campus expansion heading south on 195 toward Willi. Filled with many buildings on both sides of the road. Any future stadium would be in the northern part of campus to prevent having traffic thru campus on game day as most of the off-campus fans would be coming from I-84.

I never heard about any of this or at least I don't remember it?

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Uhart what? They're athletics are absolute crap now.

UHart quarterback Rico Brogna

 

[Buffett10]

Crap team in a crap stadium

it'll be the nicest D3 stadium in the country. all 10 fans will be thrilled

 

[Jetskies]

As great as this would be -- and there is nothing better than walking through a college campus to the stadium on gameday -- it's not happening. Too many cranky Mansfield/Willington/Coventry/etc. Yankees. Rent expansion more realistic. If UCLA can suck it up to get to Pasadena .... you get the point

agree, but the only difference being that UCLA commutes to the... Rose Bowl. A historic venue like that is worth the commute. Gold and Blue on a fall saturday in pasadena is stamped in college football lore. They are an exception for those reasons. We commute to... the Rent.

 

[Stinger92860]

As great as this would be -- and there is nothing better than walking through a college campus to the stadium on gameday -- it's not happening. Too many cranky Mansfield/Willington/Coventry/etc. Yankees. Rent expansion more realistic. If UCLA can suck it up to get to Pasadena .... you get the point

If the Gov supports this and the state legislature approves, it won’t matter what the cranky Yankees think. Since 2003 (and starting earlier) the campus has been beautifully transformed. The transformation is not going to stop. They need to build whatever the minimum requirement is for seating with future expansion possibilities. If the B12 is good with the Rent then an on-campus stadium if a future possibility.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

agree, but the only difference being that UCLA commutes to the... Rose Bowl. A historic venue like that is worth the commute. Gold and Blue on a fall saturday in pasadena is stamped in college football lore. They are an exception for those reasons. We commute to... the Rent.

You forgot the most important reason, the 17 P5 Conference Championships UCLA has in football. They can play anywhere they want. Uconn has zero, so for the program to even get started an on campus stadium helps a lot in the eyes of the B12.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I never heard about any of this or at least I don't remember it?

It's my memory. I'll look some things up to confirm and pass along any sources.