HARTFORD -- The Hartford Stadium Authority has reached an agreement toward the completion of Dunkin Donuts Park. The park was supposed to be home for the Hartford Yard Goats inaugural 2016 season but construction problems and delays plagued the project.
After a meeting Tuesday afternoon, the stadium authority announced Arch Insurance will take over and guarantee completion of the ballpark. That means Arch will cover the cost of the completion.
"Obviously this represents major progress," said Mayor Luke Bronin of Hartford. "Obviously I'm very happy that we're at this stage but I'm not going to be waving any flags or declaring victory until baseball is played until the spring of 2017."
No one is declaring victory until the first pitch is thrown but this is a major development, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said following the meeting. He added there is an agreement in principle.
City officials say they are very confident that baseball will be played in Hartford for the 2017 season.
On August 25, Eastern League President Joe McEacharn put pressure on the city, speaking outside the unfinished stadium. He called the situation "unacceptable."
According to two reports obtained by FOX 61, the city of Hartford and the baseball team have found nearly 200 tasks still need to be accomplished at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.
The Yard Goats have threatened to leave Hartford if the stadium is not completed by December 31.
"We've had so many hiccups I'm almost reluctant to say we're there," said I. Charles Mathews, Hartford Stadium Authority Chairman. "But I think we're 99% there."