UPDATE: XL upgrades back on track

[DSquiz]

Are you really comparing the XL Center to Fenway and Wrigley? Why not compare it to MSG too while you're at it?

We could also compare it to the AMP (former Dunk in Providence). That area opened in 1972 and is older then XL. My house was built in 1954 and I gotta say I don’t have any plans to tear it down either.

 

[CL82]

Tell this to the Red Sox owners. Their building is twice as old and they keep pumping money into it. What about the baseball stadium near you?

I'm going to guess that Hartford will not get a new arena during our lifetime. Who is going to fund it?

The same people who fund waive after waive of "renovation", the taxpayers... if it happens.

 

[HooperScooper]

Are you really comparing the XL Center to Fenway and Wrigley? Why not compare it to MSG too while you're at it?

Why are they that different? Fenway is a dump, it's uncomfortable to watch a game there, there are a lot of obstructed seats, but some people love it because it's quirky and old. Both Fenway and Wrigley are over 100 years old and still there. MSG went through a major renovation but they have much better tenancy than the XL Center so numbers could work. If Hartford had major professional hockey and basketball teams I'm sure the numbers would work.

The Sox actually tried to build a new stadium in the late 1990s but couldn't find enough land and couldn't come up with enough money to make it work without public subsidies. And Massachusetts, similar to sentiments in Connecticut, refused to provide public subsidies.

You didn't answer my question. Realistically who is going to fund a new arena? You can kick and scream Hartford needs a new arena, but it isn't happening. At least not in either of our lifetimes.

 

[superjohn]

Why are they that different? Fenway is a dump, it's uncomfortable to watch a game there, there are a lot of obstructed seats, but some people love it because it's quirky and old. Both Fenway and Wrigley are over 100 years old and still there. MSG went through a major renovation but they have much better tenancy than the XL Center so numbers could work. If Hartford had major professional hockey and basketball teams I'm sure the numbers would work.

The Sox actually tried to build a new stadium in the late 1990s but couldn't find enough land and couldn't come up with enough money to make it work without public subsidies. And Massachusetts, similar to sentiments in Connecticut, refused to provide public subsidies.

You didn't answer my question. Realistically who is going to fund a new arena? You can kick and scream Hartford needs a new arena, but it isn't happening. At least not in either of our lifetimes.

Why are they that different? They're two of the most iconic stadiums in the history of sports and an integral part of the fabric of two of the most popular and historic cities. People in those cities, those regions, and fans around the country would be extremely upset if either stadium were demolished.

XL center is a dumpy stadium in an old dumpy mall in a decaying and dead city. It represents the decay of the city and nobody would miss it if it was demolished.

Wrigley and Fenway make tons of money for their teams and cities. UConn actually loses money playing in the XL Center.

 

[Alydar]

Just call it $800M to $1B because this state has no clue how to choose good contracting companies and the costs will balloon. Lots of short sighted decisions.

And if the state is spending $1B on an arena, they better be doing it in downtown Hartford and better have a concrete plan to bring a hockey team here.

Downtown arenas work in cities with a large urban population. Downtown Harford is a ghost town on weekends and nights because it's mostly corporate worksites. You are right that politically it has to be in downtown Hartford. Just find out who holds the mortgages on the surrounding neighborhood.

I can drive to Hartford at night. Storrs is a road (or 3) too far. So while I'd rather see an arena outside Hartford with easy parking I'm happy I get to see 6 or 7 games.

 

[HooperScooper]

Why are they that different? They're two of the most iconic stadiums in the history of sports and an integral part of the fabric of two of the most popular and historic cities. People in those cities, those regions, and fans around the country would be extremely upset if either stadium were demolished.

XL center is a dumpy stadium in an old dumpy mall in a decaying and dead city. It represents the decay of the city and nobody would miss it if it was demolished.

Wrigley and Fenway make tons of money for their teams and cities. UConn actually loses money playing in the XL Center.

O.K that's all fair. But the previous Sox owners did try to build a new stadium in the late 1990s and not too many people were upset about seeing Fenway go. It's over 100 years old so doesn't it have a shelf life also?

We both know Hartford isn't getting a new arena in our lifetimes so it's not even worth discussing. Unless of course some UConn fan wants to write a really big check for hundreds of millions of dollars. Anyone want to volunteer?

 

[HooperScooper]

Downtown arenas work in cities with a large urban population.

I'll add one caveat to that. Ones with major tenants who use the arena for a lot of dates a year. I actually peripherally worked with the Celtics owners about 10-15 years ago when their lease at the TD Garden (owned by the Bruins) was coming to the end. They were trying to determine if a new arena for the Celtics could work. Even with 1 major professional franchise as the anchor tenant the economics didn't work. You'd have the Celtics for 50+/- dates a year. But then all the concerts, etc. would be split with the TD Garden and there just weren't enough dates to make a new arena financially feasible. Without public subsidies of course and that wasn't happening in Massachusetts.

 

[superjohn]

O.K that's all fair. But the previous Sox owners did try to build a new stadium in the late 1990s and not too many people were upset about seeing Fenway go. It's over 100 years old so doesn't it have a shelf life also?

We both know Hartford isn't getting a new arena in our lifetimes so it's not even worth discussing. Unless of course some UConn fan wants to write a really big check for hundreds of millions of dollars. Anyone want to volunteer?

You seem to be advocating for dumping money into the dump forever, just because that's what the state is choosing to do doesn't make it right. If you haven't noticed basically every decision the state has ever made regarding Hartford is a terrible decision.

 

[BigTenFan]

I agree with a lot of the posters here. Downtown Hartford is pretty much a dead zone. Most companies are requiring workers to return to work 3 days....most working Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and leave at 5:00. Parking is really the only constant money maker in Hartford .

Not to be completely negative. I went to Jazz fest and that was fantastic. Pratt Street showing some life and Yard Goats run a great operation.

There definitely are some good things going on...but relying on XL Center to revive Hartford is a long shot.

 

[HooperScooper]

You seem to be advocating for dumping money into the dump forever, just because that's what the state is choosing to do doesn't make it right. If you haven't noticed basically every decision the state has ever made regarding Hartford is a terrible decision.

Can't argue with that!

And I'm not advocating for anything. Just saying there's no way Hartford is getting a new arena anytime soon.

 

[huskyjawz]

I agree with a lot of the posters here. Downtown Hartford is pretty much a dead zone. Most companies are requiring workers to return to work 3 days....most working Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and leave at 5:00. Parking is really the only constant money maker in Hartford .

Not to be completely negative. I went to Jazz fest and that was fantastic. Pratt Street showing some life and Yard Goats run a great operation.

There definitely are some good things going on...but relying on XL Center to revive Hartford is a long shot.

Capitol Groove was great!

 

[Alydar]

I agree with a lot of the posters here. Downtown Hartford is pretty much a dead zone. Most companies are requiring workers to return to work 3 days....most working Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and leave at 5:00. Parking is really the only constant money maker in Hartford .

Not to be completely negative. I went to Jazz fest and that was fantastic. Pratt Street showing some life and Yard Goats run a great operation.

There definitely are some good things going on...but relying on XL Center to revive Hartford is a long shot.

In part the XL subsidy is in reality welfare for the surrounding businesses that rely on it for traffic. And in turn, the owners of those buildings would lose rent, lowering the values of the entire area around the XL.

Frankly all I want is a well-lit court, a little leg room and short lines in restrooms.

 

[Woodson]

Great news. Hopefully has some locker room upgrades for the boys and space for more banners

 

[JohnFSilver]

We should have blown up the xl center long ago. About 10 years ago it was estimated $200m and people were like no way.

Now it might cost $600m.

Construction costs never go down. Ever. lol.

 

[husky8273]

That may not be affected be affected as Ticketmaster now has the contract for all events except UConn sports.

how does this affect those whose seats will be lost?

 

[gampelcrazies]

Comparing the Civic Center to Fenway/Wrigley/MSG is nuts lol

 

[Waquoit]

XL center is a dumpy stadium in an old dumpy mall in a decaying and dead city. It represents the decay of the city and nobody would miss it if it was demolished.

This guy gets the vapors when anyone looks side-eyed at flyover country yet writes this. Total ignorance written by a clown a 1,000 miles away.

 

[giddyup]

This is a chicken and the egg problem. Rarely does a half-assed job pay dividends. We are competing against new venues that are dropping big $$. Yet, Hartford/CR has no professional team that will draw. The Yard Goats has worked out because it’s a great venue and has managed to sustain interest with low price points and cheeky minor league baseball entertainment shtick. Job 1 ought to be getting an NHL franchise in town that will anchor a real investment in a top tier facility. Also, building a downtown residential population has to be prioritized. Tough problem, but thinking big is likely to work out more than apply band aides.

 

[CJasmer]

This is a chicken and the egg problem. Rarely does a half-assed job pay dividends. We are competing against new venues that are dropping big $$. Yet, Hartford/CR has no professional team that will draw. The Yard Goats has worked out because it’s a great venue and has managed to sustain interest with low price points and cheeky minor league baseball entertainment shtick. Job 1 ought to be getting an NHL franchise in town that will anchor a real investment in a top tier facility. Also, building a downtown residential population has to be prioritized. Tough problem, but thinking big is likely to work out more than apply band aides.

No way Hartford is getting a NHL team given close proximity of three NHL franchises. The only way Hartford gets a NHL franchise if they lure one of the three teams in the region to move to Hartford. WFH has truly dented the number of people commuting into Hartford. The Hartford commercial office space has vacancies above 30%. Part of the sale of Aetna to CVS was the requirement to remain same presence in Hartford until year-end 2028. I believe there is a good chance that once 2029 rolls around CVS will move Aetna out of Hartford and move to a low cost area in the South. CVS is already doing this by hiring nurses used for medical reviews in the South.

 

[superjohn]

This guy gets the vapors when anyone looks side-eyed at flyover country yet writes this. Total ignorance written by a clown a 1,000 miles away.

Yikes

 

[Ports21]

The technical term is BOHICA.

Funny, for the football team I coach that's our word on offense when we want to run to the line quick and run the same play again LOL

 

[Nick2005]

I have been in top, the stairs are dangerous, small and straight up but doesn’t give you better view. If you drink before game, hold onto everything. Cheering makes me nervous, fall over people, it’s going to happen. Too steep on top.

 

[Fore!]

This is a chicken and the egg problem. Rarely does a half-assed job pay dividends. We are competing against new venues that are dropping big $$. Yet, Hartford/CR has no professional team that will draw. The Yard Goats has worked out because it’s a great venue and has managed to sustain interest with low price points and cheeky minor league baseball entertainment shtick. Job 1 ought to be getting an NHL franchise in town that will anchor a real investment in a top tier facility. Also, building a downtown residential population has to be prioritized. Tough problem, but thinking big is likely to work out more than apply band aides.

Neither the Rangers nor the Bruins will let that happen.

 

[Kolumbo]

Nobody wants to spend the money to build a new one. The economics of building a new arena in a city like Hartford, without a major professional team as the anchor tenant, just doesn't work. Unless a government entity wants to subsidize the construction of a new arena. And we all know that's not happening in Connecticut.

True. It's a big problem
We don't have an NHL team to justify building a brand new arena
They want UConn to play in Hartford so they need an arena in Hartford
We could build a brand new basketball arena if UConn needs to play in Hartford, but then you have the Wolfpack
So they'll keep throwing money at the old gray mare instead of solving the problem

They should figure out a way to have a new state of the art arena in Hartford for UConn Athletics, the Wolfpack, Concerts, and other indoor sporting events. Get professional indoor Lacrosse and soccer teams. If they can't figure out a way to pay for it and keep it busy, cut bait.

 

[Hoophound]

I have been in top, the stairs are dangerous, small and straight up but doesn’t give you better view. If you drink before game, hold onto everything. Cheering makes me nervous, fall over people, it’s going to happen. Too steep on top.

I was up in the last row when I was 16. I got wobbly at first due to the height and steep drop. I remember thinking, “How is this legal?” Once I was up there a couple minutes I was fine, but I knew it was a real hazard to drunk and/or old people.

 

[CTBasketball]

In part the XL subsidy is in reality welfare for the surrounding businesses that rely on it for traffic. And in turn, the owners of those buildings would lose rent, lowering the values of the entire area around the XL.

Frankly all I want is a well-lit court, a little leg room and short lines in restrooms.

Stay well clear of Gampel then. XL has them beat on your three metrics, so I guess that is a plus?

 

[Kolumbo]

 

[CONN78SEJ]

True. It's a big problem
We don't have an NHL team to justify building a brand new arena
They want UConn to play in Hartford so they need an arena in Hartford
We could build a brand new basketball arena if UConn needs to play in Hartford, but then you have the Wolfpack
So they'll keep throwing money at the old gray mare instead of solving the problem

They should figure out a way to have a new state of the art arena in Hartford for UConn Athletics, the Wolfpack, Concerts, and other indoor sporting events. Get professional indoor Lacrosse and soccer teams. If they can't figure out a way to pay for it and keep it busy, cut bait.

If this is an effort to supersede Gampel, then I think that hurts the program and is unfair to the on campus students and the players.

 

[husky429]

145 million is enough for what? A few speakers and an extra urinal? Seems pointless.

 

[krinklecut]

I honestly don’t care what else they do as long as they get a new dehumidifying system to keep moisture off the court.