XL Center Could See $250 Million Facelift

The Capitol Region Development Authority is floating a plan for the renovation of the XL Center that would include $250 million in improvements that would lead to a new facade, interior concourses, and more premium seating options.

The CRDA would look for funding from the Connecticut Bond Commission to pay for the project.

Hartford Mayor-Elect Luke Bronin described the XL Center as "critical to Downtown Hartford."

He said he doesn't envision the city being able to provide any financial support for the project.

Bronin said, "I’m glad that the state is taking a look at it and I’m glad that the state is seriously making the investment that’s necessary to have a facility that’s able to survive and thrive for years to come.”

Hartford Whalers fans hold out hope for the possibility of a return for professional hockey.

Michael Glasson is in the team's booster club and says the fact that the company the CRDA is looking at to renovate the XL Center also worked on Madison Square Garden in New York could provide a sort of legitimate boost.

“If you wanted an NHL team, you need the venue and you need an owner so having this venue takes off one of the two things that would be necessary if there was ever a chance to bring the NHL back," he said.

Mayor Pedro Segarra, who helped to broker a partnership between UConn and the City of Hartford with the opening of a new downtown campus in the coming years, said team partnerships could pay huge dividends for the cash-strapped arena.

"We have foregone the rent for the stadium and we do supply services and goods to the XL Center," Segarra said. “We need to build more rooting for the home team, rooting for Hartford, rooting for our state.”

Glasson says the city and state have an opportunity to build something special in Hartford.

“It needs to be modernized. It should be the best venue between Boston and New York and this plan is the plan that will do that.”
 

Contact Us