The Future of Dillon Stadium high-quality facilities for our families and revenue streams and practical and community groups. This is an opportunity pragmatic expenditures over time. Our Civic Mind to create a premier venue with our revenue sources include grassroots students and our community as our top capital campaigns, strategic business Approach: priority. partnerships, fee-based and sponsored programming, event operations, The revitalization of Dillon Stadium is a services rendered, as well as private and “We First” not multi-faceted community development philanthropic investment. project that will serve as a tremendous “Me First” asset for the people of Hartford and 2. The Process Greater Hartford. More specifically, We believe the process is just as we understand this endeavor to be important as the outcome. A deliberative, Civic Mind is proud to submit our plan to comprised of two separate, yet equally transparent community-driven redevelop Dillon Stadium as a premier important opportunities: development process can efectively community venue and future home to serve to rebuild trust and confidence professional sports teams. Our goal is to 1. The Project among the City of Hartford, its residents, lead the fiscally and socially responsible Dillon Stadium and Colt Park have and regional stakeholders. A continuous development of a historically significant extraordinary potential to become public participation process will be the public park for the residents of Hartford regional and statewide attractions for trademark of the project’s redevelopment and the Greater Hartford region. Our plan diverse, multi-generational audiences approach and will drive capital investment respects the legacy of Dillon Stadium and user groups. Our demand-driven decisions. as an anchor of historic Colt Park and approach provides venue upgrades as a public space that belongs, first and pragmatically and sustainably over Civic Mind and our partners provide foremost, to the people of Hartford. time. Our plan represents an equitable the necessary leadership and expertise public-private partnership, matching to transform this distressed park into a Most importantly, we believe Dillon private investment with any taxpayer regional asset. Our team fully appreciates Stadium should be fundamentally contribution. the integrity and commitment required designed as a shared resource for our to successfully deliver on such a pivotal schools and our community. This project Our financial model achieves project. Our process provides a unique is a matter of equitable access to safe, sustainability through diversified opportunity to build public confidence through transparency, clarity of purpose regional rivalry and alumni events. The recognize this project as a turning point and community-driven decisions. calendar will provide equitable access toward fiscal and social responsibility for Hartford schools to a venue with where we build things together Design Partner: Stantec desirable amenities otherwise unseen prioritizing “we” first, not “me” first. Civic Mind has interviewed three globally in our city and curated to introduce recognized stadium development firms suburban communities and new In partnership, and subsequently selected Stantec Sport audiences to Hartford. as our development partner. Stantec’s exemplary track record to design and In Closing build similar projects and their shared We are confident we possess the unique commitment to a robust community credibility and deepest understanding engagement process are perfectly of the venue’s important role and value aligned with our development approach. to our community. Our plan responsibly develops Dillon Stadium over time TJ Clynch Operational Partner: CIAC through collaboration, humility and Founder, Civic Mind Civic Mind has also partnered with the patience. Our approach empowers our [email protected] Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic community to shape a sustainable future Conference (CIAC), the sole governing for the venue, responsibly invests our body of Connecticut high school athletics. resources and maximizes the use of our CIAC’s partnership will create a venue public assets. Meanwhile, our strategic fundamentally designed with the safety partnerships enhance our ability to of our student-athletes, families and fans, unite the community’s diverse interests while reinforcing the integrity of sport and and efectively mobilize our collective competition. resources.

Our partnership with CIAC will establish Dillon Stadium can be revitalized as a an annual calendar of competitive and space for both public play and private inspiring high school sporting events enterprise, but the development must including Connecticut state tournament not be guided by self-interest, personal and championship games as well as ambitions or political patronage. Let’s Phase 1A

The Plan

Our development plan is designed in phases to grows the venue over time with our community’s needs. Phases are entered based on secured user groups, operational Phase 1B Phase 2 demands and available resources.

Our goal is to design the stadium for maximum use by diverse groups and reflect Phase 3 Renderings of development represent the shared values of our an evolving vision for the future of Dillon Stadium. Beyond 2019, the community. community-driven master planning process will define additional venue upgrades and enhancements. 2018 2019 Phase 1A Phase 1B

Today, Dillon stadium sits in significant disrepair. Phase 1A is In 2019, Phase 1B will be executed, completing Phase crucial to restore core functionality, upgrade key amenities I, completing the initial expansion of seating capacity, and ensure player and fan safety. Our $1.5 million in private stadium infrastructure and fan amenities. funding, combined with $1.75 million in CRDA community development dollars dedicated to Coltsville, will provide:

• New turf playing surface FUTURE PHASES • Necessary safety improvements and ADA compliance • New lighting Future phases are detailed through our master planning • Upgraded AV process and guided by public participation. As demand • Upgraded Restrooms and Locker Rooms at Dillon Stadium increases, Civic Mind will work with our community to engage new user groups and incorporate Phase 1A can be achieved by 2018. This will make Dillon their respective needs and resources into future design Stadium usable for Hartford residents, especially Hartford phases. Schools who deserve reliable, high-quality venues for their athletic programs. Anticipated additional user groups might include:

• Universities and colleges 2018 would also see the implementation of a robust public • Pro-sports teams participation process to thoughtfully design the stadium with • Athletic camps and training programs community input and feedback. This would include master • Cultural and civic programming planning future phases while determining the overall design • Special events and performances aesthetic and user experience of the venue. 2018 2019

Hartford City FC is nicknamed the “Colts” who was a Captain in the Continental for the team’s emblem symbolizing the Army during the Revolutionary War. Colt Arms Factory distinctive dome, painted deep blue with gold stars. HCFC Hartford City FC: is comprised of Connecticut based Regional Brand Exposure players. Opponents & Location 2017 Attendance averaged 1,000+ with • Seacoast United – Portland, ME 400+ season ticket holders while playing • Greater Lowell – Lowell, MA in New Britain. • Boston City FC – Boston, MA • Rhode Island Reds – Providence, RI Projected 2018 attendance at Dillon • Kingston Stockade – Kingston, NY Stadium is 3,000 with 700+ season ticket • Hartford City FC – Hartford, CT holders. Founded in 2016, Hartford • Elm City Express – New Haven, CT • New York Athletic Club – Pelham, NY City FC is a soccer club Major Competitions: NPSL Championship, • New York Cosmos – Manhattan, NY in the National Premier U.S. Open Cup • Brooklyn Italians – Brooklyn, NY Soccer League’s (NPSL), • TSF Academy – Wayne, NJ Corporate Sponsors: Hummel, an independent league Henkel, Armstrong Rockwell, Keeney Hartford Friendly Matches spanning over 100 teams Manufacturing • University of Hartford nationally. • University of Connecticut Afordable match ticket pricing: Family of • Central Connecticut State University four costs $30.00 NPSL teams are eligible to participate in • Oakwood Soccer Club the US Open Cup through their afliation • Portuguese Club of Hartford with the US Soccer Federation (USSF) Established Supporters Group and the United States Adult Soccer The ofcial supporters group of HCFC, Association (USASA). The NPSL remains the “Agents of Hale” is a tribute to one of the largest national league in North Connecticut’s state hero, Nathan Hale, America. Economic development projects use Meanwhile, the City’s past experience presumptive statistical models to predict with sports-based economic development revenue returns such as number of jobs projects—the proposed Patriots’ stadium, The Path created, ticket tax revenue, hotel stays, the Yard Goats Stadium and the 2015 but these figures never materialize. attempt at Dillon Stadium—demonstrate Forward the pitfalls of government leaders In this approach, the community plays concealing their performance and crafting a limited role while politically motivated these deals without public participation. government ofcials negotiate, often Fundamental to our plan is behind closed doors, with a private Alternatively, community development defining our Dillon Stadium enterprise promising ambitious revenue aims for an open, inclusive process that receipts and job creation figures. promotes public participation, distributes renovation as Community Government ofcials ofer tax incentives, wealth locally, and improves our quality state bond funds and subsidies of of life. In this type of planning, community Development, rather than taxpayer money to attract the new members come together to take Economic Development. enterprise, but residents rarely benefit collective action, generate solutions, and from these short-sighted arrangements. design projects that benefit everyone.

The diference between At present, CRDA has ofered $10 million In our plan, Dillon Stadium is developed in state bond funds and has assumed the with matching private funds and designed these two approaches is project management of Dillon Stadium’s for our schools and community groups. evident in the involvement development, all in exchange for Hartford Successful community development Sports Group’s promises of generating creates wealth for everyone, rather than of stakeholder groups, the $15.6 million in tax revenue over the private profit for a chosen few. outcomes of the work and course of 20 years and creating 50 full-time and 75+ part-time jobs. These Community development provides the distribution of wealth inflated projections are unsubstantiated, lasting, sustainable change made by unsecured and irresponsible in an attempt local residents; Economic development and power. to justify the massive subsidization of is driven by political agendas and a speculative project and a short-term individual interests. political victory. Photo: “We” First Not “Me” First poster from a public forum at SMSA hosted by Civic Mind to discuss the future of Dillon Stadium. Community Development: The Right Way

Place Develops under-utilized assets for the benefit of local residents

Ownership Promotes local, broad-based ownership as the foundation of a thriving economy.

Encourages institutional buy-in to spend Multipliers and circulate money locally, keeping wealth in the community.

Brings many players to the table: Collaboration nonprofits, community groups, philanthropy, municipalities and citizen activists.

Aims to broaden access and create Inclusion inclusive, liveable opportunities for all families.

Source: www.community-wealth.org

Photo: Students and families gather at Sports and Medical Sciences Academy (SMSA) for a public forum hosted by Civic Mind about the Future of Dillon Stadium. Economic Development: The Wrong Approach

Aims to attract businesses with incentives Place and public money, increasing the burden on residents

Supports “elite ownership” that harms local Ownership families and disproportionately distributes wealth.

Pays less attention to where the money Multipliers goes, allowing wealth to leak out of the community.

Decision-making led primarily by the Collaboration government and the private sector, excluding local residents

Key metrics are number of jobs created and Inclusion revenue generated, with little regard for job quality or where the money goes.

Source: www.community-wealth.org

Top: Governor Rowland and Robert Kraft unveil plans to move the Patriots to Hartford. Bottom: Mayor Pedro Segarra announces a surprise “done deal”: City Leaders agree to build a $56m stadium for the New Britain Rock Cats to relocate to Hartford. we build happier communities.

Civic Mind is a social enterprise organization, impact investing and dedicated to building happier providing equity for all. communities. As social entrepreneurs, we build We specialize in community innovative and collaborative action development, an inclusive process plans to solve our collective community of fostering new ideas and building challenges. Our systemic solutions solutions to benefit everyone. partner businesses, government, grassroots action and private investment Civic Mind was founded in 2011 during to achieve real and lasting change. the “Great Recession.” We realized political and economic challenges Our entrepreneurial partnerships created a new demand for business advance our common goals and result in development through community sustainable social and economic growth.

www.civicmindstudios.com Hallmarks of the Civic Mind Plan

1 2 3

Equitable Demand-Driven Designed for Public-Private Approach Community Partnership Benefit Equitable Public-Private Partnership

Design, Build and Operate.

Civic Mind ofers a complete team We believe it is unfair to exhaust all “While on the witness stand in prepared to design and develop Dillon available state bond funding for Hartford’s Bridgeport federal court, Mitch Stadium, then manage the venue’s community projects to renovate Dillon operation thereafter with the specific goal Stadium. We believe all public projects Anderson conceded that despite of maximizing the operational benefits to should be evaluated equally and invested good intentions, he shouldn’t our community and improving the quality- in equitably. of-life of our residents. have taken public funds for his We learned from Mitch Anderson and own endeavors.” Our plan matches private investment with James Duckett that subsidizing Dillon public funding to improve Dillon Stadium Stadium’s development for privately owned – Hartford Courant 2/21/2018 as a community asset, rather than use sports ventures is the wrong approach; taxpayer money to design a venue to fit a no single user group should lead a single group’s demands. Our contribution public venue’s development; vendors represents an investment in the facility without experience in stadium design, Hartford Sports Group’s aggressive and our city itself, as opposed to a development or operation should not timelines, financial demands and privately held sports venture. lead a stadium project; and reconciling a overzealous promises are glaring red needed public park improvement project flags. The City of Hartford must have Our plan also achieves savings to the with the self-interested demands of a the courage to reject HSG’s unbalanced City of Hartford of at least $5 million in private pursuit is not just inappropriate—it partnership and unrealistic plan in pursuit state bonds for other Hartford projects. simply does not work. of a better path forward.

Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia is a $16.5m, 8,300 seat stadium built in 2010 in a public-private partnership between Kennesaw State University and the Atlanta Beat soccer team.

The venue has garnered national recognition as one of the premier multi- use outdoor athletics facilities in the country hosting football, soccer and lacrosse games as well as concerts and other events.

The venue’s success is attributed to its foundational and equitable public-private partnership. The partnership successfully achieves operational sustainability by streamlining expenses and maximizing use.

Our plan draws inspiration from Fifth Third Bank Stadium’s partnership model and family-friendly design. The venue features Case Study picnic decks, rather than sky boxes, and various child-friendly recreation areas. Fifth Third Bank Stadium

Source: www.ksuowls.com/facilities/ Our approach supports existing community groups who desperately need high-quality athletic venues and, most importantly, Hartford schools and students. Once usable, Dillon Stadium can again host regional invitationals and statewide tournaments, drawing audiences from across Connecticut.

The goal of Phase I is to develop the venue to minimum standards for local high school and existing community use. Initial investment would be utilized to install core functionality, safety and infrastructure to the venue including a new playing surface, restroom upgrades, refurbishment of Demand-Driven Approach bleachers, lighting, sound and scoreboard upgrades, and necessary accommodations to achieve ADA compliance. Infrastructure Civic Mind is committed to restoring advancing to future phases. This approach for local food truck entrepreneurs would be this historic facility with a smart, phased promises intelligent resource allocation installed to provide for flexible concessions development plan based on a grassroots and sustainability while avoiding budget for the venue. public participation process. Our first overruns. Established criteria for phase priority is making the venue safe and advancement also creates benchmarks for During 2018, Civic Mind will also execute accessible and connecting with community funding, realistic expectations and tangible, a Master Planning Process that engages user groups and athletics programs to measured progress. Criteria would include residents, user groups and stakeholders activate the facility. user groups, signed tenants, attendance from Greater Hartford. These groups will figures, parking capacity, resource identify the next phase of development The phased development approach development, projected growth and and help secure additional resources for establishes criteria to be met before future events. upgrades. Toyota Field is a soccer-specific stadium in San Antonio, Texas opening in 2013. The stadium has a capacity of 8,296 for soccer matches and 13,000 for concerts and festivals. The stadium was the home of the San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League until the team’s dissolution following the 2015 season.

The stadium was designed to strategically expand to upwards of 18,000 seats in 3 total phases and to accommodate UIL, NCAA, MLS and FIFA standard international soccer events. The design also accommodates rugby, lacrosse, American football, boxing and concerts. The stadium currently exists as Phase 1 in the stadium expansion phases.

Taking inspiration from San Antonio, our goal is to create a thoughtful plan with the vision and foresight to anticipate future growth while establishing Case Study sustainability in the present. Toyota Field

Source: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Field We believe the development and and Operations Budget to a Capital operation of Dillon Stadium should Improvement Fund. Our contribution include concrete plans for community provides foundational funding for long use, labor and benefits. term maintenance of the venue such as Designed turf repairs and replacement. Our vision for Dillon Stadium reafrms for its legacy as a public park, accessible to In time, we believe our plan can the community. We believe the venue streamline the management, marketing should be readily open to the public. Our and maintenance of Colt Park as a whole. Community management of Dillon Stadium would establish a simple-to-use online platform Hartford First. for recreational and community groups Beneft We believe Hartford residents and to reserve field time. We would also vendors should be prioritized in establish a “Community Advisory Board’ employment opportunities in our of residents and stakeholders to ensure “Hartford First.” policy. Our vision for our responsiveness to the needs of our Dillon Stadium’s development also community. establishes infrastructure for independent Photo: Hartford City skyline and food trucks and local vendors to grow surrounding communities, by John In our financial model, we allocate a Groo for the Hartford Business their businesses. 5% contribution from our Management Improvement Lewes FC is a soccer club in England that prides itself on their accessibility to their community and progressive values. They are currently the only club in the world to pay their men’s and women’s clubs equally.

As part of their work to promote inclusiveness and accessibility, Lewes FC has an online platform for the community to rent their soccer field. We agree with Lewes FC in the belief that success is when our community utilizes our venue as much as possible.

Case Study The Rookery Our Team

Investment Partner Design Partner Mark Greenberg is a community Globally renowned design and leader, philanthropist, and developer development firm whose projects who runs one of the largest real are rooted in a robust public estate management firms in the NY Project Manager participation process. metropolitan area. A Hartford-based social enterprise specializing in community development.

Connecticut Interscholastic Hartford City FC Oakwood Soccer Club Athletic Conference National Premier Soccer League Connecticut’s premier soccer club Will bring statewide tournament (NPSL) with an established Hartford with decades of experience in games, alumni events and athletic identity and devoted local following. academy and recreational programs. camps to Dillon Stadium. HCFC is an immediate tenant of a renovated Dillon Stadium. Management Team Thomas (TJ) Clynch • Civic Mind Tim Yergeau • Civic Mind

TJ is the founder and principal of Civic Mind, LLC. Founded in Tim is a lead strategist of Civic Mind’s dynamic team of Hartford in 2011, Civic Mind is a community development firm communications, resource development, and project specializing in public-private partnerships and social enterprise management experts. development. Tim has worked as the Director of Communications and Donor TJ was the winner of the 2011 Hartford Innovation Challenge with Relations at the Greater Hartford Arts Council and the Director of his work recognized as one of the Hartford Business Journal’s Advancement for the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation, 40 under 40 in 2013, and Connecticut Magazine’s 40 under 40 in creating social impact programs and raising more than $10 million 2015—citing “[Clynch] is on a mission to revitalize our capital city.” to support arts, culture, and community causes.

Additionally, TJ has also served as the President of Business for Past volunteer service includes: the Chair of City Council’s Downtown Hartford merchant association from 2013 to 2014 and LiveHartford Task Force (2016) and on Theaterworks Hartford as a founding member of the REACH Coalition (Racial and Ethnic Anniversary Committee (2015—2016), the iQuilt Partnership Board Approaches to Community Health) from 2013 to 2015. of Incorporators (2014 to 2015), Hartford Business Improvement District Board of Directors (2013 to 2014), and was named as one of TJ graduated from Westfield State College with a B.S. in Business the Hartford Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2014. Management. He has also been extensively trained at the Connecticut Fire Academy as a Fire Ofcer and Public Tim graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a Information Ofcer. B.S. in Communications. Mark Greenberg • Investor & Philanthropist David Nardone • Stantec Sports

Mark Greenberg is the founder of MGRE, one of the largest David is the principal and Sports Group Leader of North real estate management firms in the New York metropolitan America at Stantec Sport. Stantec’s Sport Group specializes area. In Connecticut, Mark Greenberg Real Estate (MGRE) owns in all outdoor athletic facilities including sports venues, more than 25 ofce buildings, shopping centers and industrial field construction, renovation, and park projects. David has buildings totaling more than a million square feet plus more extensive experience in sports turf management, outdoor than 1,000 developable acres including several upscale housing athletic facility master planning and design and has completed subdivisions. athletic master plans and implemented field construction projects throughout the United States and Canada. Mark and his wife Linda founded The Simon Foundation, a 36,000- square-foot, state of the art, no kill animal rescue He has extensive experience in the design of athletic surfaces and adoption facility located in Bloomfield. The non-profit and has published several articles on athletic field planning, organization provides training, grooming and boarding. All of construction and renovation and the benefits of infilled the proceeds go directly to the rescue of dogs and cats which synthetic turf. would otherwise be abandoned, neglected, abused and often euthanized. Neeley Bhatt • PROS Consulting Dr. Karissa Niehof Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference As the Vice President at PROS Consulting INC., Neeley has led strategic planning, master planning, sports facility development, Karissa has served as the Executive Director of the Connecticut financial sustainability, customer service training, marketing and Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) since 2011. The CIAC branding projects that are helping to shape a better vision for serves as the sole governing body for inter-scholastic athletic cities all over the world. Neelay’s career spans three continents activities in Connecticut. The CIAC is a private, not-for-profit, includes work with Disney, the Super Bowl, the Summer 501(c)3 organization. Olympics and Paralympics Games. The CIAC was established to ensure safe and equitable TEDx, the global platform for ideas, describes him as a business practices in high school sports in Connecticut. and communications visionary, and his service on the National Recreation and Park Association’s Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that ‘no child is left indoors’.

From managing the daily online publication of the Super Bowl (SB XLVI) to leading the City selection process of the inaugural T-20 cricket league in the United States, his approach focuses on innovating and partnering to maximize revenue generation and create a guest experience of the highest quality. Rick Derella • Oakwood Soccer Steven Hernandez CT Commission on Women, Children, and Seniors Rick is the President of Oakwood Sports Center who, along with Dave Farrell, revolutionized indoor soccer in Connecticut. Steven Hernandez, Esq. is the executive director for the Oakwood’s afliation with the Hartford Hellions of the Major Commission on Women, Children, and Seniors. Mr. Hernandez Indoor Soccer League (MISL) spurred the opening of Oakwood’s previously served the Connecticut state legislature as director indoor soccer center in 1980. Oakwood’s Indoor Soccer Center, of public policy and research for the Connecticut Commission one of only ten in existence in the U.S. in the 1980’s, has since on Children. become a model for the more than 300 soccer complexes now operating throughout the country. Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Hernandez served seven years as legislative and budget director in the ofce of Wash- Today, Oakwood Soccer Club maintains indoor facilities in ington, D.C., Council member Jim Graham. He received a Glastonbury, Connecticut as well as TD Oakwood Soccer Park bachelor of arts degree from Bennington College in Vermont in Portland, Connecticut — a state-of-the-art outdoor facility with and his J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American two turf fields, flood lights and media infrastructure. University.

Derella also created the Oakwood Soccer Club, which is Steven will provide expertise in advancing our inclusion, equity recognized as one of the premier clubs in the country. Oakwood and diversity initiatives. SC is also home US Soccer Development Academy teams where Rick serves as the head coach of the u15 club.

Rick joined the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2003. Our Projects

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