While reading about a big accident that snarled my commute this morning, I came across this article at WFSB.com:
HARTFORD — New details on an effort to bring a major league sports team back to Connecticut. And if it happens, it would have a familiar and cherished name.
The whole deal centers around the Civic Center. The state is about to do a study to figure out the best uses for the building because the company that manages it — Madison Square Garden — may lose the contract.
Wow. However, after the fire drill regarding the “threat” to bring the Patriots to Hartford a few years ago, I won’t hold my breath.
Update: It looks like I was right to not hold my breath. From the Courant:
The Connecticut Development Authority on Wednesday approved a long-term study of the future of the Hartford Civic Center - a vote that puts the short-term hockey dreams of Whalers fans and former team owner Howard Baldwin on hold.
Saying that the building is obsolete, that the Whalers never made money and that the NHL “couldn’t wait to get out of town,” authority Vice Chairman Richard T. Mulready said that the prudent course is to study the Civic Center’s potential - or lack thereof.
I suppose that it would be inappropriate for me to point out that they probably should have conducted that study before getting so far along with the residential and retail complex they’re building around the Civic Center.