In Hartford, Kenneth Gosselin in a front-page piece notes a move to bring a $250M "makeover of the XL Center to the legislature next year is well underway," and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy yesterday "signaled support for renovations." Malloy "stopped short of saying he would include the top-to-bottom makeover and expansion recommended by a consultant last year in his coming capital projects budget." Malloy: "I can't imagine Hartford without the XL Center, and I've said that for a long time." The Capital Region Development Authority is "pushing ahead with steps to ready" the $250M makeover plan for the legislature (HARTFORD COURANT, 11/17).
SHOP TILL YOU DROP: In DC, Karen Goff noted DC United have "tweaked the plans" for their future stadium at Buzzard Point to "rework the large public plaza on the Northeast side of the stadium, add a 14,000-square-foot retail plaza to the stadium's east side and make transportation changes to ensure improved access for cars, pedestrians and bicycles." The amended plans were filed with the DC Zoning Commission on Tuesday in advance of a Nov. 28 hearing and in "response to concerns from neighboring landowners" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/16).
NESTING PERIOD: In Baltimore, Jeff Barker notes the Maryland Stadium Authority has "signed contracts for improvements" to Camden Yards, "including lighting and heating upgrades." The work "includes demolition of the existing lighting system." The contract says the cost "won't exceed" $1.67M. The playing surface at Camden Yards is also "being replaced -- the first time" since '08 that the grass is being swapped out (Baltimore SUN, 11/17).
THE NOISE REPORT: In Boston, Steve Buckley wrote Seahawks coach Pete Carroll's comments about the lack of enthusiasm inside Gillette Stadium are "right ... it's not a great place." Buckley: "It’s a place totally lacking in passion, spirit ... you know, noise. I’ve been to book readings that had more raucousness." However, Carroll "isn't the best messenger here," as he got "run out of Foxboro" in '99 after just three years as Patriots coach (BOSTON HERALD, 11/16).
