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Saturday, January 9, 2016

THE YARD GOATS STADIUM MESS, NOW HOW DO WE FIX IT?

Interesting how many of the politicians in this picture are now gone, was the Stadium an omen?

For many of us, we now feel vindicated. The baseball stadium was a bad deal for Hartford, but Mayor Segarra and the previous lap dog Council were hell bent on shoving it down our throats. History is now proving us out, the deal was ill conceived , poorly estimated and funded and totally mismanaged.

With that being said, we are now stuck with it , and IT HAS TO WORK. Even though Hartford residents and contractors may not be working on the project as promised, the overall project has to work. If for no other reason than the $4.5million annual debt service payments (probably higher depending how the project is bailed out) could bankrupt our city if the project isn't salvaged.

I am pretty sure Mayor Bronin realized that City Hall was a mess when he ran for office. He probably knew the turn around wasn't going to be fast or easy, but I seriously doubt that he ever thought that the first week, and more, of his term would be spent  trying to save a stadium that he wasn't a big supporter of in the first place.

 I think the old saying is "you play the hand you are dealt", and Bronin was dealt a stinker of a hand.

The circular firing squad are all taking shots at each other as to who is to blame, and in the meantime no solutions are readily available. I. Charles Matthews, Chairman of the ineffective Stadium Oversight Authority says it is Centerplan, the developer. Centerplan says it is the City and the Oversight Authority, and no one is coming up with fixes.

I am sure when all the facts are on the table there will be plenty of exposure all around. The Stadium Authority, Centerplan as well as the City probably all have been complicit in this mess. I think the fact that Centerplan was willing to kick up $1.7 million almost immediately tells us where the blame begins.

Centerplan does not have a great track record of competence when it comes to completing jobs on budget and on time. You can read more about Centerplan's dismal track record in Jon Lender's article here http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-lender-slow-pay-for-subs-1115-20151114-column.html. After reading that article, it is probably a good thing they have broke their promise to hire Hartford contractors, otherwise they would be bankrupting many of them also.

I am still asking myself how this project got so far out of hand. Is there no one that knew how to make construction "punch lists " and spread sheets to track the work, contracts assigned , and invoices for the project? Did no one realize that the expenses were mounting faster than the budget allowed or anticipated. Isn't that why a "professional" was hired to oversee construction. Were the monthly meetings of the Stadium Oversight Authority purely for fluff purposes and cheer leading practice?

Where was the Chief Operating Officer (soon to be ex COO) Darryl Hill. Wasn't that part of his function as both COO and a member of the oversight Board? What construction do any of the Board members have to manage such a project? What experience do any of the City Staff have managing such a large project.? Clearly not enough. Michael Looney ( son of Senator Martin Looney, President Pro tempore of the Connecticut Senate) is apparently Executive Director of the Stadium Authority. Looney seems pretty good at sending out emails and meeting minutes, but not so good at monitoring construction costs.

In a media account regarding the creation of the Stadium Authority, a City Official was quoted as saying " that they could not yet give an estimate of the total savings to the city, but that the savings would be in the millions" How is that working out for you Pedro. Did they say savings or cost overruns?. In all actuality the Authority was "allegedly concocted as a mechanism for funding, it was more likely an avenue to avoid a referendum and a vote from the people who most likely may have not supported the Stadium deal in the first place. All water over the dam at this point, the Stadium has to work..

Was the Stadium Oversight Authority not asking the right questions or were they afraid to actually act like managers entrusted with over $56 million dollars of public money? Or was it maybe because the Stadium Authority Chairman's son worked as a high level official for the City in Development Services. Brian Matthew's is the son of I. Charles Matthews. It is probably tough to ask tough questions when your son might be the one responsible to answer.

And who knows what else the City is responsible for. The way this project has been slammed through, anything is possible. Did they under estimate just about every financial projection? Dis they make change orders without paying attention to the escalating costs.

If, or more likely when, this all lands in the lap of a Superior Court Judge, the facts will come out and blame, or  termed liability when it comes to legal judgements, will be determined and the checkbooks will be forced to come out. Everyone will be paying, and definitely no one will benefit ( except maybe the Solomon Brothers who I think were smart enough to protect themselves legally and contractually.

Although Mayor Bronin has said he is opposed to spending "another dime" of public money on the deal, I think the reality is, we will Whether that decision is made by Mayor Bronin or a Superior Court Judge is yet to be determined. The latter probably being the more costly and damaging route for the City taxpayers. Any legal battle is long and protracted. Nothing winds through the Courts quickly and the whole time the meter is running on attorney feed, interest costs and other related costs. In the meantime, the Stadium would be producing nothing except at least $4.million in interest costs for 25 years.

Mayor Bronin needs to meet the first test of his Office and that is making this deal work with the least amount of damage or impact to Hartford's taxpayers and its budget. I believe he has already started closed door negotiations to seek a resolution. I think the next one is scheduled for Monday night. Lets figure who is responsible for what where the exposure initially lies and who is going to do what and what will it cost. If Hartford's exposure is $2 million, $3million, $5 million who knows. But failure is potentially going to be much more expensive in the long run, with quite possibly nothing to show except rusting steel and some concrete footings in the ground.

With that being said, any additional dollars allotted is going to put Mayor Bronin in a tough spot, and I think he needs to do every thing possible to assure the people of Hartford that they are being protected. In my opinion, the removal and replacement of all members of the Stadium Authority would be the first step. They have already shown that they are asleep at the switch to let the situation get to this drastic point. They have embarrassed the City and the only way to restore confidence is their replacement.. The Executive Director of the Stadium Authority needs to be replaced by someone with construction experience and someone that knows how to manage a budget.

Someone that is selected to lead the Authority by a hiring process based on merit and knowledge of the Construction industry, not by who you are related to politically. Senator Looney's support may have been helpful early on if the State was ever going to buy into the project, but I think any State involvement or support is a near impossibility now,  even Senator Looney could not be helpful at this point, even if we hired his entire family.

At an event Thursday night I spoke with Hartford's former Probate Judge Robert Killian. In Judge Killian's private practice he apparently has extensive experience in Construction Conflict mediation. He showed me some notes he had produced with a plan to put the project back on track, where the money would come from and who would do what. As someone unfamiliar with multi million dollar projects, it seemed to make sense to me, and was definitely a good starting point .

I think Judge Killian would be a good start for a member of a revamped Stadium Authority, his respect  and love for the best interest  of Hartford are beyond reproach( We may have very easily had another term of Mayor Segarra if it wasn't)My understanding is a more formal outline of Killian's ideas has been submitted to Mayor Bronin and attorney's for Centerplan

A second name that should be considered is Republican Ted Cannon. Cannon showed during his recent run for mayor that he understands Municipal finance and the issues facing Hartford. I think the financial oversight aspect of the Stadium Authority can not be overlooked, especially after recent events. I know Hartford is a Democratic City and Republican's are almost extinct in our City but we need to take competent help wherever we can find it, I think Cannon would be a good start.

A new oversight board should also include an opponent of the project. Many of the opponents were well versed in the finances and other issue, Maybe if someone had actually listened to them in the beginning instead of appointing a group of political cheerleaders, things might be different. AN opponent does not have to be a road block, but just might actually be asking valuable questions and providing a different, realistic, view of things.

As much as I would like to see any additional City  money spent going into necessities like Police hiring, our parks,  Senior Housing or even a tax break to encourage REAL economic growth,( no more stadiums... please) I fully realize the implications of not getting the Stadium project back on track quickly. Luke is stuck between a rock and a hard place. We need to see this matter resolved and resolved promptly. Mayor Bronin has to take a strong stand to convince the voters he is looking out for their best interests, not just spending money we should not have to be spending if things were done right from the beginning.


37 comments:

Anonymous said...

McDonald's sell fast foods. Grocery stores sell food. Bakeries sell pastry. Plumbers fix water pipes. Educators teach. Politicians spend taxpayers money like it or not for their own interest. Connecticut politicians run rampant with a high level of crime. It is not WHAT you know it is WHO you know.

Anonymous said...

No way Jose! Not a dime more, not even a penny more for this crazy stupid stadium. Enough is enough. Mothball it as soon as possible, as Mr. Rubenstein suggested earlier. Reimburse the bond holder with the $28 millions we still have, paid interest on the rest.
This was a disastrous deal from the moment the "done deal" was announced. The wealthy Solomon family is the only one benefiting from the "project". Enough fooling ourselves already.

Anonymous said...

The City of Hartford is already drowning in debt and the taxes are already way too high. The city must not throw good money after bad money.

Anonymous said...

Michael Looney's official title is Project Manager, via the Department of Development, of the stadium.

Anonymous said...

The only way to fix it is the shut the whole project down before it bankrupts the entire city.

Anonymous said...

No more money, not a dime more, not even a penny. As Mr. Rubenstein suggested earlier, mothball this crazy stupid stadium. Get a settlement with the bond holders: reimburse them with the $28 million that wasn't spent and settle with them on the balance. It's going to be easier, less painful and much cheaper.

Anonymous said...

The City of Hartford is drowning in debt. Taxes in Hartford are already way too high.
Don't throw good money after bad money.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

3:04 PM

Thank you for the clarification on that. He needs to change that title to project mismanagement by the looks of it.

Anonymous said...

STOP THE INSANITY.
STOP THIS STADIUM.

Anonymous said...

I truly respect Judge Killian. However, no proposal, no solution can save this nightmare which was created by Pedro and his friends

Anonymous said...

I say Hartford needs to cut the loses, bulldoze what is there into the ground, and make a parking lot out of it, then put a large sign on it that says "Hartford Will Not Be Fools Again " If they continue, it's just going to be a money pit.!

Anonymous said...

How could anyone ever expect Segarra to handle a project such as the ballpark? Pedro couldn't control his own personal finances and filed for bankruptcy protection. Even his own campaign was nothing but a scandal after scandal with at least 3 campaign managers coming and going. If the stories about Pedro and Touch of Class are true, I can only say OMG.
Pedro only cared about his luxury suite, about the feee tickets to his friends and family, throwing out the first ball on opening day.
Pedro Maria Caviar Segarra is a worthless piece of garbage, nothing more.

Anonymous said...

@7:26

Public council meeting Monday night. Express your opinions.

And Please don't make garbage worse then it already is by comparing it to the putanna of the strada

Anonymous said...

I'd like to suggest another sign:

"PEDRO SEGARRA HALL OF SHAME".

Kevin: I must admit that I saw it earlier on your blog, so I'll not ask for any credit.

Anonymous said...

New Britain's Mayor, Erin Stewart, in laughing at us, Hartfordians, big time. She's the real winner of this multi-million, not on time, not on budget, idiotic Dunkin Du-Nots saga.

Anonymous said...

Save that sign for whrn Shawn Wooden runs for state treasurer.

Anonymous said...

Does the City Charter allow a petition to recall a council person? If so, Cynthia "but we need jobs" Jennings must be recalled. Let's get a petition going even if it is only symbolic.

Anonymous said...

Some people just don't understand who the super-wealthy Solomon family is. They are shrewd business people, they're all about making $$$$, lots of $$$$. The Solomons will never stay in Hartford for 20-25 years. I doubt if they stay here with the Yard Goats/Yard Rats even 10 years. They promise to stay here at least 25 years, but that will never happen. They know that the contract they signed is nothing but a piece of paper. That's the reason they agreed to pay more for rental, as long as the ugliest part of the deal will fall on Hartford: the maintenance and repairs of the stadium. It's not only the horrible cost of it, but also Josh Solomon, upon finding another city/another sucker to invite him and build him another stadium, could always claim that the repairs and the general maintenance are unsatisfactory, which he then will consider a breach of contract by the City of Hartford.
Listen, Josh Solomon, his father, his brother, they are all about the money.
Wake up Hartford!

peter brush said...

The idea of a stadium with a baseball team attached was nice. The idea that actual execution of such a project should in ANY way involve our Muni government (such as we and it are) was worse than mere nonsense and folly. Any government, but particularly one as incompetent as ours, should not be in the business of business. It's one thing for me to voluntarily take a risk with my own money, its another for pols to take a risk with money they've taken from me by force of law. The muni government should be in business of mitigating risk; i.e., firemen and cops. Let private entities do baseball.
At this point, however, it pains me to think of the thing being mothballed. If a baseball stadium is good for the city's image, an incomplete one would be the opposite. I really don't want to have to drive past the thing every day, and be reminded in perpetuity of the stupidity of our governors and the disregard they have for taxpayers. I have no idea of the ins-and-outs of the business, and suspect the people involved don't have much, but I would hope that at this point by hook and/or crook we get the thing done.
-------------------------
Some council members hailed the project, which would bring the New Britain Rock Cats to Hartford, as a step forward for a city in need of additional revenue and a shot of vibrancy in an area that has been empty for decades.

"It is exactly a road map to how we move forward as a city," council President Shawn Wooden said at the meeting Tuesday. "There is no reward, there is no benefit, without some level of risk. ... It's appropriately risky for the return."
...
"I understand the time constraints we're under, but that's not something we did to ourselves," MacDonald said. "It's something imposed on us."

"I certainly hope … this will work. I have my doubts," he said. "At the end of the day, the bottom line for me is the city needs more revenue, not more expenses. I see this as more expenses."
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-hartford-council-stadium-1015-20141014-story.html

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

no recall to the best of my knowledge, unfortunately we are stuck with her

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

5:24am

I think Wooden's political days are done, just wait until the Dillon Stadium Grand Jury reports start getting released , I think we will see a very different side of some of our politicians, quite possibly in handcuffs on a perp walk

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Is anyone willing to place a bet on how long before Dunkin Donuts pulls its name from this disaster?

Anonymous said...

Is it going to be Dunkin do-Nuts or Dunkin DuNots on the stadium

Anonymous said...

Tip of the Iceberg
This foolish project only depicts Hartford's government as totally incompetent. look at other mismanagement projects that will never be checked or revealed, such as Keney Golf, Goodwin Golf. Park street renovation. There are ongoing programs that will stun everyone. Flood control infrastructure project, capping of the methane potential landfill. There are expensive and much needed projects that are on the drawing board that will never see the light of day due to mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. Check deep into the bowels of Hartford government and you will find many surprises that will have the public declaring for more than a grand jury investigation.

Anonymous said...

Kick Cynthia "but we need jobs" Jennings out of the City Council.
5:41 AM proposal is fair, "Let's get a petition going even if it is only symbolic".

Anonymous said...

Kevin,Hartford couldn't even keep a McDonald's open!Have you ever seen one close before? I haven't! What would make anyone think this nutty stadium could be built and "then" survive? Anyone remember ACMAT? Better let them finish it "ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET",,,,KEVIN COSTNER CANT EVEN MAKE THIS PIPE DREAM COME TRUE!

Anonymous said...

Time and time again dirty politicians rise to higher levels. None of the group who got us into this stadium mascaraed will ever go down. It is a shame but that is how politics work. I would rather any other corporation hold the stadiums title than Dunkin Donuts. They are one of the worse employers in our nation to work for because they pay their employees a very low wage. They will leave Hartford high and dry soon. Maybe the best thing for Hartford is to just forfeit now and get out of the stadium business before it becomes the biggest nightmare the city has ever experienced. Greed is what this is all about!

Anonymous said...

Where dose Michael Looney live and what is his background?

Anonymous said...

Dunkin Donuts: There must be an opt-out clause in their contract. Corporations will always use the best counsel to sign agreements. But not municipalities. We use cheap 2nd rate legal counsel to write our contracts as you can see.

What becomes most important is that counsel revisit the City Charter and write into it that all large expenditures must forever be passed by referendum and that we need a recall option for any office holder.

Cynthia Jennings is the one remaining criminal who voted for this stadium and it is obvious that she has no care for the fiscal condition of the city. Her mantra was that this project would create much needed jobs. At best, it can create a few part-time minimum wage jobs. And for that, she voted to spend $56 million? She is only in office because of the vote of her community and we all know what we get when a certain community, any community blindly votes for an inferior politician. Right? Jesus, Moses and Mohammad help us all.

TheEdge said...

Mayor Bronin mentioned in the Hartford Couran on three separate occasions that the City would not put a dime more into this nearly 80 million dollar project.If he announce s a settlement in the coming days in which the City has to kick in money....he will have lied to the citizens within his first week as Mayor. Given the fact that Landino/Ritter and other stadium contractors gave him many thousands of dollars in campaign donations it will prove that Bronin cares more about them then the citizens if he kicks in more million s of dollars.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

12:21AM

Unfortunately probably many people have the same thoughts you are having. Mayor Bronin has a spokesperson, so I am not speaking for him. I think those statements reflected how he felt before he actually took office, most likely relying on what he knew from media accounts, blogs and elsewhere. I am sure that once he took office, he had much more detailed info available that might cause many of us to reconsider our stand if we actually knew what Segarra and the Council had got us into. We can plant our heels in the sand and say "not one more dime" but that probably isn't going to be best for the taxpayers of Hartford in the long run. Please keep and open mind and see what solution they come up with this week with the least impact on us.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

5;14PM

The better question might be to ask where does I. Charles Matthews live and what is his background to be given oversight over a $66million dollar plus project

Anonymous said...

NO MORE MONEY TO THAT STUPID STADIUM. NO MORE. WE'RE GOING TO FIND MANY MORE SURPRISES DOWN THE ROAD,VERY EXPENSIVE ONES.
KILL THE STADIUM NOW, BEFORE THIS STADIUM KILLS US.

Anonymous said...

What Mayor worth a damn would make decisions based on media reports or a blog without doing his own homework first? If that's what he's going to do, then that shows us what the future holds for Hartford.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Anonymous 3:44PM

He was not Mayor at the time, he was apparently relying on the same bad information that we were all being fed by the Segarra Administration

peter brush said...

Standard & Poor's upgrades New Britain bond rating to A+

Anonymous said...

Standard & Poor AND Moody's downgraded Hartford's rating during Maria Caviar Segarra administration. Linda Bayer at the time, protecting her corrupt friend, the guy who pretended to act like mayor, said it wasn't a big deal, then she ran away to bother someone else.