HARTFORD, Conn. – With a recommendation expected this week by the Capital Region Development Authority on the future of Dillon Stadium, the Harford Sports Group’s Bruce Mandell reiterated his belief that the opportunity for Hartford to bring the USL to the historic venue for the 2019 season would provide a major boost for not only the venue, but the surrounding area.

“No single project would do more to further the transformation of Coltsville than the rejuvenation of Dillon Stadium, a stadium that has a special place in Hartford’s history,” said Mandell. “We have proposed a partnership with the City of Hartford and the CRDA that will bring back to life an under-utilized city asset that is presently unsafe and decaying.”

Dillon Stadium has played host over the years to everything from the annual Thanksgiving high school football game, professional soccer matches (including a famous visit from Giorgio Chinaglia), and concerts from the likes of the Rolling Stones, Beach Boys and the Grateful Dead. Mandell and colleagues made their presentation to the CRDA at the beginning of the month which would see HSG enter a private-public partnership that would bring millions of dollars of investment to bring the venue back online and support efforts in the surrounding area, adding to a city that has seen growth through strong local economic investment in recent years.

“Hartford Sports Group consists of a group of local Hartford area businesspeople who are bullish on Hartford and want to be part of its success,” said Mandell. “We believe the city and the CRDA are smart to target Dillon Stadium as a project of opportunity. This is a chance to build on Hartford’s current economic progress. Let’s keep the momentum going.”