[BPt111]

Can Hartford become college town

https://www.google.com/amp/www.coura...story,amp.html

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Can Hartford become college town

https://www.google.com/amp/www.coura...story,amp.html

I read this article in this mornings Courant. It has some interesting ideas but is missing the one true thing that college students and other young people are looking for and that is nightlife. To be more precise, bars. Whether we like it or not this is what the majority of kids are looking for. That is why many drive down to New Haven or head to Boston or New York. Unfortunately Hartford is moving away from this not toward it. The recent closing of the bars on Allyn Street have made Hartford even less interesting to kids. This article seems to skirt this subject and instead talks about things like lighting and inexpensive places to eat. That is fine but is hardly an attraction for college kids. Jay

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I read this article in this mornings Courant. It has some interesting ideas but is missing the one true thing that college students and other young people are looking for and that is nightlife. To be more precise, bars. Whether we like it or not this is what the majority of kids are looking for. That is why many drive down to New Haven or head to Boston or New York. Unfortunately Hartford is moving away from this not toward it. The recent closing of the bars on Allyn Street have made Hartford even less interesting to kids. This article seems to skirt this subject and instead talks about things like lighting and inexpensive places to eat. That is fine but is hardly an attraction for college kids. Jay

New Haven area best nightlife in CT then Stamford

[JayCT]

The Capitol Region Development Authority has recommended that the Hartford Sports Group be selected to redevelop Dillon Stadium into a professional soccer stadium. The city now has the final say but it is good news that there was such strong interest in bringing professional soccer to Hartford. Jay

CRDA recommends Hartford Sports Group to develop Dillon Stadium | HartfordBusiness.com

[WILWRadio]

^^^Cincinnati is in the running for a MLS team right now. But apparently Sacramento and Nashville are ahead in the sweepstakes while Detroit and Cincy are likely to be candidates for the next expansion. MLS wants a dedicated Soccer only stadium and Detroit apparently has indicated they would use Ford Field where the Lions play.

If Hartford can build a dedicated Soccer only stadium then it has a chance at getting a franchise when the MLS works on expanding. Have heard they want 28 teams and currently they stand at 24. Hartford may have a shot at it during the next phase of expansion.

The United Soccer League is apparently a second their pro league which still has a pretty good caliber of players. While the MLS requires a grass field at least the USL will accept the artificial turf being proposed for the development of the new Hartford stadium. But clearly the MLS should be a consideration at some point if Hartford lands a USL team and they become successful. Cincy has had a real success story with their team in the USL and have drawn large crowds and even have local TV coverage.

While I have no interest in Soccer it certainly would be a asset for the Hartford area if they can obtain a team.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

While the MLS requires a grass field

MLS doesn't require a grass field. I have had Revs season tickets at Gillette. It's the same synthetic turf the Patriots play on. The only time it's grass is when they're hosting international events. They rolled out grass for Copa America events in 2016. They filled the stadium for an Argentina-Venezuela match. It's kind of cool to see real turf rolled out at Gillette. The NFL made the Patriots get rid of it quite a few years ago because it got all beat up by December and was paint over dirt.

I know the Seattle Sounders/Seahawks play on the same synthetic turf as at Gillette. FieldTurf Revolution.

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

MLS doesn't require a grass field. I have had Revs season tickets at Gillette. It's the same synthetic turf the Patriots play on. The only time it's grass is when they're hosting international events. They rolled out grass for Copa America events in 2016. They filled the stadium for an Argentina-Venezuela match. It's kind of cool to see real turf rolled out at Gillette. The NFL made the Patriots get rid of it quite a few years ago because it got all beat up by December and was paint over dirt.

I know the Seattle Sounders/Seahawks play on the same synthetic turf as at Gillette. FieldTurf Revolution.

Odd. I've been listening to a talk station in Cincinnati concerning the proposed stadium for that city and they're claiming the MLS requires a grass field. No synthetic field of any kind. May be a new mandate?

Hartford tried major league soccer before. The Hartford Bicentennials and later the Hellions. Will be interesting to see if they can keep a team this time. Pro sports have always had a tough time making it in this market. I suspect being sandwiched between Boston and NYC is the reason.

[ryanthegoldengod]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I read this article in this mornings Courant. It has some interesting ideas but is missing the one true thing that college students and other young people are looking for and that is nightlife. To be more precise, bars. Whether we like it or not this is what the majority of kids are looking for. That is why many drive down to New Haven or head to Boston or New York. Unfortunately Hartford is moving away from this not toward it. The recent closing of the bars on Allyn Street have made Hartford even less interesting to kids. This article seems to skirt this subject and instead talks about things like lighting and inexpensive places to eat. That is fine but is hardly an attraction for college kids. Jay

While it is true that some Hartford bars have closed and the they are not as lively as they once were, a bar desert downtown certainly is not. Vaughn's, McKinnon's, The Russell, Arch Street Tavern, Pig's Eye Pub, Black Eyed Sally's, The Russian Lady, The Tavern Downtown, The Iron Horse Saloon.... I'm probably forgetting some. All within walking distance from each other. Go a little further and you have The Half Door on Farmington Avenue, the new Hooker brewery that just opened on Hyshope Avenue...

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by ryanthegoldengod

While it is true that some Hartford bars have closed and the they are not as lively as they once were, a bar desert downtown certainly is not. Vaughn's, McKinnon's, The Russell, Arch Street Tavern, Pig's Eye Pub, Black Eyed Sally's, The Russian Lady, The Tavern Downtown, The Iron Horse Saloon.... I'm probably forgetting some. All within walking distance from each other. Go a little further and you have The Half Door on Farmington Avenue, the new Hooker brewery that just opened on Hyshope Avenue...

Very homogenous bar scene though, unlike the interesting mix in New Haven

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Very homogenous bar scene though, unlike the interesting mix in New Haven

Well, the college campus just opened this summer, so I think you'll need to allow a bit of time before you start getting a better mix of things. 2,000 additional students isn't a massive number, but it's certainly enough to add a bit more variety.