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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Apr 19, 2022 16:16:01 GMT -5
St. Louis is a two time loser with the Cardinals and Rams and they are litigants against an NFL franchise. They will probably have to overpay to get a third franchise and wouldn't be surprised if they try to sometime in the future. San Diego, Oakland, St. Louis. I'm glad the blue collar fans in Western NY will get to keep their Bills. Four time loser, in terms of pro franchises lost in our sporting fan lifetimes. Rams, Cardinals, Hawks, Spirit (not chosen for the merger like the Spurs and 3 or 4 others were). San Diego and KC neck-and-neck with them. St. Louis ( great, great city- I lived there a few years) also briefly lost the Blues. I was in the car listening to radio and news announcement stated the Blues had been bought by Nelson Skalbania (think I have that right) and were moving to Saskatchewan. Sale must have been voided as I think a new owner was found and the team , which had great fan support, stayed in St Louis. St Louis Cardinals have been extremely popular but the city has struggled with some other sports
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Post by bfoley82 on Apr 19, 2022 17:24:23 GMT -5
CT wanted a stadium for the Patriots and UConn then downsized the plans to build a serviceable one for an FBS UConn FB team. The Pats cut bait after MA agreed to enough infrastructure work to make the privately funded Gillette Stadium work. TD Boston Garden was similar as I recall. Public funding for infrastructure work involving North Station and perhaps roadways, but the arena is privately owned. Fenway Park is privately owned. MA has been freer with the cash for outlying cities like Worcester (DCU Center) and Springfield (Mass Mutual Center). Not sure about Tsongas Arena in Lowell. Polar Park is owned by the city. Kind of Smart to let the major league teams in the major league city (Foxborough is just a berg but the NFL is major league) privately finance it's stadia and buck up the minor league cities to support the regional economy and quality of life/recreational opportunities. Hartford and Buffalo aren't major league cities to the extent Boston is which complicates matters but the public spending on the Bills is way overboard. I don't fault CT, it's Husky FB that hasn't carried the ball over the goal line. Tsongas is now owned by UMass-Lowell. It was originally built by the city and UMass-Lowell. The interesting part is the state funds that went to the baseball stadium in Lowell which didn't last a long time. www.lowellsun.com/2008/05/20/umass-lowell-disputes-price-it-pays-for-events-at-tsongas-arena/
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Post by Tom on Apr 20, 2022 7:03:51 GMT -5
Boston lost the Whalers, Braves and Redskins, er I mean the Boston Football team. If you're counting the old Boston Redskins, then St Louis also lost the baseball Browns to Baltimore
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Post by Tom on Apr 20, 2022 7:13:07 GMT -5
CT wanted a stadium for the Patriots and UConn then downsized the plans to build a serviceable one for an FBS UConn FB team. The Pats cut bait after MA agreed to enough infrastructure work to make the privately funded Gillette Stadium work. TD Boston Garden was similar as I recall. Public funding for infrastructure work involving North Station and perhaps roadways, but the arena is privately owned. Fenway Park is privately owned. MA has been freer with the cash for outlying cities like Worcester (DCU Center) and Springfield (Mass Mutual Center). Not sure about Tsongas Arena in Lowell. Polar Park is owned by the city. Kind of Smart to let the major league teams in the major league city (Foxborough is just a berg but the NFL is major league) privately finance it's stadia and buck up the minor league cities to support the regional economy and quality of life/recreational opportunities. Hartford and Buffalo aren't major league cities to the extent Boston is which complicates matters but the public spending on the Bills is way overboard. I don't fault CT, it's Husky FB that hasn't carried the ball over the goal line. Tsongas is now owned by UMass-Lowell. It was originally built by the city and UMass-Lowell. The interesting part if the state funds that went to the baseball stadium in Lowell which didn't last a long time. www.lowellsun.com/2008/05/20/umass-lowell-disputes-price-it-pays-for-events-at-tsongas-arena/Not sure what you mean that the baseball stadium in Lowell didn't last a long time. UMass Lowell still plays baseball in the stadium they built. Because of a partnership with the Lowell Spinners it is a much nicer stadium than they need and the Spinners no longer exist. Without the Spinners, U Mass Lowell's baseball stadium is under utilized, but it still lasts and is used today
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Post by rf1 on Apr 20, 2022 8:28:35 GMT -5
NY state taxpayers are about to get worcesterized in this very bad deal.
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Post by mm67 on Apr 20, 2022 9:15:21 GMT -5
NY state taxpayers are about to get worcesterized in this very bad deal. Great point. Would like to see a projection of the increase in NYS income tax hit. Don't know, but I suspect it will be merely a few dollars much of which will be used to reduce taxable income on the Fed return. Finally, our economy and society itself is built on shared financial support. Build a bridge downstate and taxpayers upstate and throughout the state pay for it. Not saying I support the use of general tax revenues for this particular project. Seems like a lousy deal. Peace.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 20, 2022 9:32:26 GMT -5
NY state taxpayers are about to get worcesterized in this very bad deal. Pawtucket is laughing at both Worcester and Buffalo now. It sounds louder than it is. It's the echo effect at empty McCoy Stadium.🙂 Actually Worcester would be better off Buffaloed because the tax on every pound of pastrami sold at a NYC deli will help pay for the Bills Stadium, but an order of fried clams in Ipswich won't pay for Polar Park.
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Post by rf1 on Apr 20, 2022 10:42:50 GMT -5
It was smart of Ed Augustus to step down as city manager before the bills really start to come due for his Polar Park folly. There is soon going to be a lot of pain when the construction bond payment schedule rapidly kicks in. Look for some difficult decisions by the city. I would expect a lot of city program cuts and layoffs will be on the table along with the inevitable tax increases.
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Post by bfoley82 on Apr 20, 2022 12:29:11 GMT -5
Not sure what you mean that the baseball stadium in Lowell didn't last a long time. UMass Lowell still plays baseball in the stadium they built. Because of a partnership with the Lowell Spinners it is a much nicer stadium than they need and the Spinners no longer exist. Without the Spinners, U Mass Lowell's baseball stadium is under utilized, but it still lasts and is used today Since I have actually been there this year, the place if falling apart with concrete cracked, broken seats, etc. Yes, UML uses it but for a building that cost 11.2 million to be built in 1998 (now 18.6 million), that is 589k a year spent per year when the Red Sox were a tenant. It doesn't look like it was a good use of the state funds by building a stadium that will be sitting free 347 days a year (Lowell schedule) or 337 days a year if ten other games are played there, There is NO development in that area of Lowell in terms of restaurants or anything besides a couple of Lowell Dorms, Rec Center, etc.
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Post by Tom on Apr 20, 2022 13:00:30 GMT -5
Not sure what you mean that the baseball stadium in Lowell didn't last a long time. UMass Lowell still plays baseball in the stadium they built. Because of a partnership with the Lowell Spinners it is a much nicer stadium than they need and the Spinners no longer exist. Without the Spinners, U Mass Lowell's baseball stadium is under utilized, but it still lasts and is used today Since I have actually been there this year, the place if falling apart with concrete cracked, broken seats, etc. Yes, UML uses it but for a building that cost 11.2 million to be built in 1998 (now 18.6 million), that is 589k a year spent per year when the Red Sox were a tenant. It doesn't look like it was a good use of the state funds by building a stadium that will be sitting free 347 days a year (Lowell schedule) or 337 days a year if ten other games are played there, There is NO development in that area of Lowell in terms of restaurants or anything besides a couple of Lowell Dorms, Rec Center, etc. I did not know it was falling apart. I haven't been there in about 10 years (saw visiting Tiger Matt Perry '10 play against the Spinners) I agree it is too much stadium for just UMass Lowell. I can't imagine why it should be falling apart now. Perhaps the curse of being restricted to the low bidder who sometimes does things on the cheap. Development in the area isn't as big a deal when discussing a government building. I am not aware of development surrounding the UMass Amherst new football stadium
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Apr 20, 2022 13:30:12 GMT -5
NY state taxpayers are about to get worcesterized in this very bad deal. Pawtucket is laughing at both Worcester and Buffalo now. It sounds louder than it is. It's the echo effect at empty McCoy Stadium.🙂 Actually Worcester would be better off Buffaloed because the tax on every pound of pastrami sold at a NYC deli will help pay for the Bills Stadium, but an order of fried clams in Ipswich won't pay for Polar Park. Pawtucket will never be in a position to laugh at anyone. I’ll say it again, this project will be a great thing for Worcester and will be the catalyst for development in a very underutilized area in the heart of the city. We won’t be looking back 40 years from now lamenting about missed opportunities.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 20, 2022 13:45:49 GMT -5
Not sure what you mean that the baseball stadium in Lowell didn't last a long time. UMass Lowell still plays baseball in the stadium they built. Because of a partnership with the Lowell Spinners it is a much nicer stadium than they need and the Spinners no longer exist. Without the Spinners, U Mass Lowell's baseball stadium is under utilized, but it still lasts and is used today Since I have actually been there this year, the place if falling apart with concrete cracked, broken seats, etc. Yes, UML uses it but for a building that cost 11.2 million to be built in 1998 (now 18.6 million), that is 589k a year spent per year when the Red Sox were a tenant. It doesn't look like it was a good use of the state funds by building a stadium that will be sitting free 347 days a year (Lowell schedule) or 337 days a year if ten other games are played there, There is NO development in that area of Lowell in terms of restaurants or anything besides a couple of Lowell Dorms, Rec Center, etc. The State got 4800 seats for $11.2 million. UMass Lowell already owned the land I assume, but not sure. HC got 3000 seats for a few hundred thousand dollars paid for by a private entity. HC has a paying tenant in addition to it's own use as well as a corporate sponsor (Hanover Insurance) in the name while still honoring Father Fitton and keeping the century old Fitton Field label included in the name. Advantage HC. No?
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Post by bfoley82 on Apr 20, 2022 14:13:58 GMT -5
Since I have actually been there this year, the place if falling apart with concrete cracked, broken seats, etc. Yes, UML uses it but for a building that cost 11.2 million to be built in 1998 (now 18.6 million), that is 589k a year spent per year when the Red Sox were a tenant. It doesn't look like it was a good use of the state funds by building a stadium that will be sitting free 347 days a year (Lowell schedule) or 337 days a year if ten other games are played there, There is NO development in that area of Lowell in terms of restaurants or anything besides a couple of Lowell Dorms, Rec Center, etc. I did not know it was falling apart. I haven't been there in about 10 years (saw visiting Tiger Matt Perry '10 play against the Spinners) I agree it is too much stadium for just UMass Lowell. I can't imagine why it should be falling apart now. Perhaps the curse of being restricted to the low bidder who sometimes does things on the cheap. Development in the area isn't as big a deal when discussing a government building. I am not aware of development surrounding the UMass Amherst new football stadium UMass Amherst has a new football stadium?
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Post by rf1 on Apr 20, 2022 15:13:54 GMT -5
Pawtucket will never be in a position to laugh at anyone. I’ll say it again, this project will be a great thing for Worcester and will be the catalyst for development in a very underutilized area in the heart of the city. We won’t be looking back 40 years from now lamenting about missed opportunities. The Woosox will be in another city in 40 years.
The Canal District was already seeing some development. That would have likely continued even without a $100M taxpayer gift for a white elephant stadium that pads the personal investment portfolios of some millionaire minor league team owners.
Enjoy your future cut services, layoff of public sector employees, and higher taxes.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 20, 2022 15:29:57 GMT -5
I did not know it was falling apart. I haven't been there in about 10 years (saw visiting Tiger Matt Perry '10 play against the Spinners) I agree it is too much stadium for just UMass Lowell. I can't imagine why it should be falling apart now. Perhaps the curse of being restricted to the low bidder who sometimes does things on the cheap. Development in the area isn't as big a deal when discussing a government building. I am not aware of development surrounding the UMass Amherst new football stadium UMass Amherst has a new football stadium? Does the new football stadium have running water? I used to think UMass athletics benefitted from much State Pork. Then I went to a game at the pre-face lift McGuirk and realized the bathrooms were all Porto Potties with no evidence of indoor plumbing in the Stadium. I had a more balanced view after that.
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Apr 20, 2022 15:30:18 GMT -5
Pawtucket will never be in a position to laugh at anyone. I’ll say it again, this project will be a great thing for Worcester and will be the catalyst for development in a very underutilized area in the heart of the city. We won’t be looking back 40 years from now lamenting about missed opportunities. The Woosox will be in another city in 40 years.
The Canal District was already seeing some development. That would have likely continued even without a $100M taxpayer gift for a white elephant stadium that pads the personal investment portfolios of some millionaire minor league team owners.
Enjoy your future cut services, layoff of public sector employees, and higher taxes.
Enjoy the empty McCoy Stadium and closed hospital in Pawtucket.
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Post by bfoley82 on Apr 20, 2022 15:32:19 GMT -5
UMass Amherst has a new football stadium? Does the new football stadium have running water? I used to think UMass athletics benefitted from much State Pork. Then I went to a game at the pre-face lift McGuirk and realized the bathrooms were all Porto Potties with no evidence of indoor plumbing in the Stadium. I had a more balanced view after that. They had running water back in 2002 and still have it....maybe you just don't know where the bathrooms are there.
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Post by rf1 on Apr 20, 2022 15:50:11 GMT -5
Enjoy the empty McCoy Stadium and closed hospital in Pawtucket.
I haven't lived in Pawtucket for over 30 years as I am a resident of nearby MA.
As for the facilities you cite, they will not be empty for long. It is looking more likely that McCoy Stadium will be torn down and its site will be home to a new unified city public high school which will replace the current two aging high schools. The former hospital was recently purchased and is slated to be converted into a veterans residential complex. It will not sit mostly empty and unused like Worcester City Hospital for 30 years.
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Apr 20, 2022 16:03:52 GMT -5
Enjoy the empty McCoy Stadium and closed hospital in Pawtucket.
I haven't lived in Pawtucket for over 30 years as I am a resident of nearby MA.
As for the facilities you cite, they will not be empty for long. It is looking more likely that McCoy Stadium will be torn down and its site will be home to a new unified city public high school which will replace the current two aging high schools. The former hospital was recently purchased and is slated to be converted into a veterans residential complex. It will not sit mostly empty and unused like Worcester City Hospital for 30 years.
The Worcester City Hospital that is fully occupied by UMass Memorial and the Family Health Center? Try again.
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Post by timholycross on Apr 21, 2022 11:50:27 GMT -5
My take on this article is that the Red Sox are trying to go to the well AGAIN. sports.yahoo.com/play-ball-return-lowell-spinners-040100552.html And there is no guarantee which team would end up in Lowell, certainly not Worcester nor the Sea Dogs. Regarding McGuirk, I assume these changes got done. Nevertheless, it's one of the smallest stadiums in FBS football. "UMass Athletics has announced upgrades to McGuirk Alumni Stadium – specifically the assembly of a seasonal air-supported indoor structure to be used by the athletic department and campus community. A new high-definition scoreboard and other stadium improvements to enhance fan experience are on the horizon including the addition of new restrooms to both the East and West sides of the stadium, along with several ADA enhancements. Construction on these improvements; video board and auxiliary scoreboard, south end zone hospitality plaza, restrooms, ADA upgrades and the new turf practice space are scheduled to be completed prior to the 2019 football season. The dome will be inflated and ready for use in November 2019."
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Post by rf1 on Apr 21, 2022 12:03:21 GMT -5
The 24 year old Lowell's LeLacheur Park needs $40M to be brought back up to professional standards per Marty Meehan? I would say no thank you to that if most of that was public money. That is big dollars for short season Level A ball.
If a minor (as compared to above $40M) $6-7M renovation is done to LeLacheur, it might then be a good new home for the Bravehearts.
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Post by Tom on Apr 21, 2022 13:05:53 GMT -5
My take on this article is that the Red Sox are trying to go to the well AGAIN. sports.yahoo.com/play-ball-return-lowell-spinners-040100552.html And there is no guarantee which team would end up in Lowell, certainly not Worcester nor the Sea Dogs. Regarding McGuirk, I assume these changes got done. Nevertheless, it's one of the smallest stadiums in FBS football. "UMass Athletics has announced upgrades to McGuirk Alumni Stadium – specifically the assembly of a seasonal air-supported indoor structure to be used by the athletic department and campus community. A new high-definition scoreboard and other stadium improvements to enhance fan experience are on the horizon including the addition of new restrooms to both the East and West sides of the stadium, along with several ADA enhancements. Construction on these improvements; video board and auxiliary scoreboard, south end zone hospitality plaza, restrooms, ADA upgrades and the new turf practice space are scheduled to be completed prior to the 2019 football season. The dome will be inflated and ready for use in November 2019." They changed the minor league rules that limited the number of affiliates, and that was what killed the Spinners. To put a new team in Lowell means another team would have to go away When UMass first jumped to D-IA football, they did enough to the stadium to shut it down for two full seasons. I assume that had to be a pretty major renovation to take two years
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Post by Tom on Apr 21, 2022 13:09:38 GMT -5
The 24 year old Lowell's LeLacheur Park needs $40M to be brought back up to professional standards per Marty Meehan? I would say no thank you to that if most of that was public money. That is big dollars for short season Level A ball. If a minor (as compared to above $40M) $6-7M renovation is done to LeLacheur, it might then be a good new home for the Bravehearts. I did not know that LeLacheur belonged to the city. I thought the school owned it. That's a lot of deterioration in 3 years
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 21, 2022 13:32:52 GMT -5
The 24 year old Lowell's LeLacheur Park needs $40M to be brought back up to professional standards per Marty Meehan? I would say no thank you to that if most of that was public money. That is big dollars for short season Level A ball. If a minor (as compared to above $40M) $6-7M renovation is done to LeLacheur, it might then be a good new home for the Bravehearts. If they are going to spend $40 million, why not put a roof on it and make it available for various activities year round as well as a playing location for New England college baseball games in March and the beginning of April? Must be a couple of dozen D1,2,3 college baseball teams within 90 minutes of Lowell. They could have games at noon, four and eight o'clock seven days a week for 6-7 weeks. Start early on weekends and jam four games in.
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Post by bfoley82 on Apr 21, 2022 22:06:25 GMT -5
The 24 year old Lowell's LeLacheur Park needs $40M to be brought back up to professional standards per Marty Meehan? I would say no thank you to that if most of that was public money. That is big dollars for short season Level A ball. If a minor (as compared to above $40M) $6-7M renovation is done to LeLacheur, it might then be a good new home for the Bravehearts. If they are going to spend $40 million, why not put a roof on it and make it available for various activities year round as well as a playing location for New England college baseball games in March and the beginning of April? Must be a couple of dozen D1,2,3 college baseball teams within 90 minutes of Lowell. They could have games at noon, four and eight o'clock seven days a week for 6-7 weeks. Start early on weekends and jam four games in. Games are played around the clock at the Vikings stadium. Here is Bethany Lutheran playing Saint John's at 5:30am blc.edu/event/baseball-vs-saint-johns-university-us-bank-stadium-home-mar-2/Augsburg and Northland had first pitch at 11:30pm in the second half of a doubleheader northlandcollegesports.com/sports/baseball/stats/2022/augsburg-university/boxscore/5078
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