Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

December 1, 2017

CRDA recommends Hartford Sports Group to develop Dillon Stadium

The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) on Thursday selected the Hartford Sports Group (HSG) to renovate Hartford's Dillon Stadium.

Led by Bruce Mandell, president and owner of Newington-based Data-Mail, HSG was one of three project bidders. CRDA, which is a quasi-public state agency, will recommend HSG to the city of Hartford, which will make the final decision on and try to come to terms with the developer. 

The board voted unanimously to authorize CRDA staff to work with the city to negotiate and vet a Dillon package with HSG.

HSG proposes to spend up to $10 million to recruit and manage a United Soccer League franchise to play at the stadium.

HSG had estimated it would take about $10 million to renovate the stadium but has since trimmed that figure to about $7.5 million after dropping plans to invest $1.5 million in artificial turf. However, CRDA prefers artificial turf, which is less costly to maintain, so discussions are ongoing as to whether or not that will be included in the project, Mandell said.

HSG also hopes to work with media partners like ESPN and Sirius XM Radio.

The CRDA also considered proposals from the Hartford City FC and Civic Mind.

The Hartford City FC proposal was led by Aaron Sarwar, who wants to bring a National Premier Soccer League team to the stadium and leverage $650,000 of private financing for renovations.

Civic Mind wants to develop the stadium in three phases, first focusing on local, regional

and statewide games and tournaments. Civic Mind would invest $1.5 million in the project and partner with the Friends of Colt Park and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF