In Hartford, Jeff Jacobs notes last night's Knicks-Celtics preseason game at XL Center was the "first event" since the venue's $35M renovations began in July, and "what was missing" were Whalers banners in the rafters. XL Center GM Chris Lawrence said of the banners, "It’s just temporary right now. We had to take care of putting the college logos up and accommodate the people playing here now. ... When it comes to Whalers stuff, people are sensitive. We are not eliminating (the banners)." Jacobs writes, "You play with sports history, you play with dynamite." Lawrence said of the process to determine what hangs from the rafters, "There's not really a process. There are a lot of people involved. It’s not just us" (HARTFORD COURANT, 10/9).
SEE ME IN THE CLUB: YAHOO SPORTS' Eric Adelson wrote EverBank Field "has gone from a football wasteland to a budding social mecca almost overnight because of this Vegas-style plaza replete with scantily-clad servers, cushy lounge areas and pools that have nearly as many eyes on them as the game going on below." The Clevelander Deck "is basically a trendy nightclub with beach weather." But the timing "isn't ideal, considering the NFL is trying desperately to shore up its image" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/7).
THAT'S JUST PEACHY: In Atlanta, Christopher Seward noted a mixed-use development with apartments, hotels and retail space "is the latest project announced for the Cumberland-Galleria area near the site of the Braves stadium in Cobb County." The $100M mixed-use project is "tentatively called Stadium Walk." The development "is not connected" to the SunTrust Park project (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 10/9).
SHAKING OFF THE RUST (BELT): In Buffalo, Jack Watson wrote, "Once the dust clears, HaborCenter is sure to bring a big-town feel to Buffalo." The complex "will be buzzing with activity and already is proving to be an instant area attraction." HarborCenter is "aimed at servicing a large range of people, hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike." While there is "undoubtedly an emphasis on hockey," HarborCenter President John Koelmel "stressed the multiuse facility has much more to offer, and not being a hockey fan should not deter people from coming to the building" (BUFFALO NEWS, 10/9).
