HARTFORD — When the 49 bids for renovating Hartford's XL Center came in earlier this year, the arena's managers knew they had a problem — they were going to need to scale back the project or find a lot more money.

Many of the bids came back in the $140 million range on a project budgeted at $107 million, Capital Region Development Authority officials told the agency's board on Thursday.

Higher costs for labor and materials likely pushed the bids up above the original budget, according to Michael Freimuth, executive director of the CRDA.

"A lot of jobs are coming in high," Freimuth said.

The first batch of bids will be shelved due to the high costs. The XL Center construction manager, design team, and CRDA construction experts will work together to reconfigure the renovation plan to cut costs, Freimuth said.

The redesigned project plan is scheduled to be completed by mid-April and go out for a new round of bids in May.

Some planned changes to modernize the XL Center will likely be scaled back, Freimuth said.

"What we leave on the table, I'm not yet certain," Freimuth said. "There are some priorities we'll have to leave behind us."

By redesigning the project and getting more state and private funds, the total budget could be bumped up to $125 million, Freimuth said.

The arena's operator, Oak View Group, has agreed to contribute more toward the project, which includes rearranging the arena's floor, revamping the loading dock, and rebuilding the lower bowl.

With increased private support, state lawmakers are open to bolstering their commitment of public funds, said CRDA board member Andy Bessette.

"I think there is real support in the legislature," Bessette said. "Everybody understands how important it is to downtown, to Hartford."

A total revamp has been presented as vital to the survival of the 49-year-old Hartford arena in an increasingly competitive marketplace for hosting concerts, games, and other events.

Not to mention future hopes like luring a National Hockey League team to Hartford like the Arizona Coyotes, which may be ready to relocate this year if a land auction scheduled for June fails.

Freimuth warned the CRDA board that letting the XL Center deteriorate would deal a devastating blow to plans to gradually transform downtown Hartford into a residential and entertainment center.

"There is the danger, the very real danger of slow, steady reduction in events and revenues," Freimuth said. "So I think we should push the envelope one more time and see what we can do. My suggestion to the team is to put it back on the street."