DoNo Hartford LLC, the developer of the downtown Dunkin Donuts stadium, is fighting charges it is several months behind schedule and several million dollars over budget on the ballpark’s completion. It says if the city pays for requested redesigns to the original plan, the stadium can be done on or close to schedule.
DoNo Hartford LLC, which is led by Middletown’s Centerplan Development, said in a statement issues with overruns and delays fall firmly at the feet of city government. It said if the city comes forward with additional funds, the $56 million stadium can open on or close to its intended April 7 opening day for the Hartford Yard Goats minor league baseball team.
I. Charles Matthews, chairman of the Hartford Stadium Authority, has requested an update on construction and costs at a special meeting tomorrow, Dec. 23. According to a WNPR report, the stadium is $10 million over its budget and won’t open until late spring.
Bob Landino, CEO of Centerplan, said if there are delays and overruns it’s the city’s fault. He said DoNo Hartford was awarded a contract to build in February 2015 that was changed substantially in June 2015 after construction began. Landino said 160 cost-cutting measures to stay within that budget were largely rejected by the city. Even with 40 being accepted, he said there was still a final budget “well in excess of the original $56 million.”
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