Post by Logan on Feb 1, 2016 17:04:29 GMT -6
HARTFORD — A $250 million transformation of the city's aging XL Center arena won't be getting a place in the state's capital budget for the next fiscal year, as Connecticut faces a looming deficit and the governor is pledging no new taxes.
A source familiar with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget proposal said the XL Center project will not be included in the spending plan. The budget will be revealed when the legislature convenes on Wednesday. Malloy has already described the budget as "austere."
The Capital Region Development Authority, which oversees the arena, has studied options for the venue's long-term future, and it has backed a dramatic change that would essentially create a new arena from the old one. Plans include adding a second concourse to relieve congestion and irritating waits at concessions; more "premium" seating lower in the arena; and more amenities and restrooms. The number of seats would increase by as many as 3,000 to about 19,000.
The massive renovation seeks to make the XL competitive with new, larger arenas and boost the 40-year old XL's money-making potential, transforming it into a profitable venue.
Read more: www.courant.com/real-estate/property-line/hc-xl-center-no-new-funding-20160201-story.html
A source familiar with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget proposal said the XL Center project will not be included in the spending plan. The budget will be revealed when the legislature convenes on Wednesday. Malloy has already described the budget as "austere."
The Capital Region Development Authority, which oversees the arena, has studied options for the venue's long-term future, and it has backed a dramatic change that would essentially create a new arena from the old one. Plans include adding a second concourse to relieve congestion and irritating waits at concessions; more "premium" seating lower in the arena; and more amenities and restrooms. The number of seats would increase by as many as 3,000 to about 19,000.
The massive renovation seeks to make the XL competitive with new, larger arenas and boost the 40-year old XL's money-making potential, transforming it into a profitable venue.
Read more: www.courant.com/real-estate/property-line/hc-xl-center-no-new-funding-20160201-story.html