A dispute between the city and former ballpark developer Centerplan Construction Co. could have prevented key equipment from being installed at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. However, the issue has now been resolved, with Centerplan granting access to a building outside of the home of the Hartford Yard Goats (Class AA; Eastern League).
Centerplan, which had its ballpark construction contract terminated by the City of Hartford last June, had been storing equipment in a data processing center that is located beyond the centerfield wall. The items in storage are all intended to be added to the ballpark, and include supplies such as furniture and kitchenware.
With a lawsuit between Centerplan and the city still ongoing, the city filed an emergency injunction last week that would have forced Centerplan to allow access to the building. The two sides have resolved this issue, allowing the items to be retrieved before Dunkin’ Donuts Park opens. Officials from the city have said, however, that the dispute did not put the ballpark’s scheduled opening in doubt. More from The Hartford Courant:
That move prompted Centerplan, which is suing the city for wrongful termination from the ballpark project, to file an objection a day later saying that its former partner had been given several opportunities to get the team’s property out of the building. Centerplan’s filing says the equipment includes chairs, kitchenware and “miscellaneous stuff.”
Late Wednesday afternoon, Sean Fitzpatrick, director of development for the city, said the two sides had settled the dispute and that the team would be given access to the data center this week.
Centerplan, which has a 99-year lease on the property as part of the second second stage of development around the ballpark, was requesting the two sides agree on mediation dates for the lawsuit between the company and city. In its court filing, Centerplan claimed the city was not responding.
City officials acknowledged Wednesday that if the equipment remained in storage it would not prevent the park from opening on time.
Dunkin’ Donuts Park is still on track to host the Yard Goats’ home opener on April 13. The ballpark will have a soft opening on April 11, when it hosts a college baseball contest between the University of Hartford and Quinnipiac.
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