Rentschler Field could soon be home to a new retail outlet center, according to people familiar with the proposed project.
The East Hartford site already houses the UConn Huskies football stadium and the outdoor retailer, Cabela's.
Utah-based developer OTB Destination is considering building the large retail center there. It would sit on land owned by United Technologies that sits behind and to the side of Cabela's, according to people familiar with the proposal.
The project would take up about 135 acres of the 900-acre site.
The developer did not respond to several messages seeking comment.
"It will certainly be a shot in the arm and East Hartford needs a shot in the arm," said state Sen. Gary LeBeau of East Hartford.
LeBeau is now sponsoring an amendment to allow the town to create a special taxing district for the site. A taxing district would allow the owner and developer to sell bonds and also set special tax rates for businesses that come in to cover costs.
"If they have a special taxing district they can use some of the dollars that are created to bond infrastructure like roads that need to be built in order to make the activity happen," said LeBeau.
Projects have been proposed at the site before, only to fall apart.
"UTC made these folks the approved developer so we're hoping," said LeBeau. "I've been down this road before so I'm hopeful but we'll see what happens."
The developer is seeking state assistance to help pay for the project.
It's expected to create about 1000 new jobs if built.
