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Norwich council unanimously authorizes city manager to finalize Dodd Stadium lease with professional soccer operator
Summary
The Norwich City Council voted 7–0 to authorize the city manager to enter into a lease with Norwich Stadium Company LLC that would allow professional soccer and other events at Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium, including a sublease to Norwich Athletic LLC (the Sea Unicorns) and multi‑year extension options.
The Norwich City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to enter into a lease with Norwich Stadium Company LLC for Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium, clearing the way for professional soccer and expanded year‑round use of the venue.
The resolution, read into the record by the clerk, described an initial lease term beginning Jan. 1, 2027 and running into 2029 with up to three tenant options to extend the term. The draft lease as read in the meeting referenced both Jan. 30, 2029 and June 30, 2029 in different passages; the council approved authorization for the city manager to finalize a lease “substantially as set forth in the draft lease agreement.” The draft also requires Norwich Stadium Company LLC to sublease to Norwich Athletic LLC, also called the Sea Unicorns, for the 2027 season with an option for 2028; specific financial terms were not read into the record.
Supporters said the lease would preserve and expand community uses at the stadium. Kevin Brown, president of the Norwich Community Development Corporation, told the council the stadium had been under consideration for demolition a year ago and that the new agreement "provides an opportunity…with a first class operator that intends to sustain the momentum that the Sea Unicorns have created" and could help the city secure state support to maintain the venue constructed in 1994.
Alderman Sheila Hayes said the interest from both baseball and soccer operators indicated the stadium is viable and that partnerships could bring broader opportunities to Norwich and Eastern Connecticut. Alderman Nash, who earlier favored redevelopment of the site, said he would support the measure because it opens the stadium to multiple sports and affordable entertainment for families. Public commenter Herman Zado urged the council to ensure connections from the stadium to downtown businesses to capture economic benefits for restaurants and retailers.
An alderman asked whether the extension options would begin at the end of the primary term; corporate counsel answered that was correct. Mayor Singh framed the authorization as an economic development step that would "secure the future of Dodd Stadium," linking the project to regional job growth and increased amenities for working families.
The council voted 7–0 on the motion to authorize the city manager to enter into a lease agreement "satisfactory to him" with Norwich Stadium Company LLC; the meeting record states "no votes were taken" during the executive session the council held earlier to discuss the lease. The next procedural step is for the city manager to execute a lease consistent with the draft terms approved by the council.
