[glxyman21]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I do not agree with the idea that the Convention center has been a 'big flop'- what has ever given the OP that impression? Its thriving- attracting conventions and groups from all over the country and North America.

The Convention Center only works after millions of dollars worth of subsidies by Connecticut tax payers, which a recent article showed that the subsidy amount has increased over previous years. It is hardly self sufficient and still costs Connecticut tax payers money, even after the initial costs to bond the project.

[skytrekker]

In a domestic economy that is hurtling into a recession- other convention centers are probably doing worse then Hartford.- if anything Hartford may hold its own, which is more then I can say for many other areas in the far west, Midwest and Florida.

I am sure in the current financial and housing bust in other areas, they would be so lucky that the tax payers would have any money at all to give- considering there is so little money is available now.

From the Hartford Courant this morning;

Sales of single-family houses plummeted in Greater Hartford in December, according to a report released Monday, increasing fears that a housing recession in Connecticut could deepen in 2008.

Seems like the 'plague' is spreading here--

In a state which did not participate totally in the housing folly of the last 6 years- with things looking bad in so many places- Hartford's Convention center might be an Oasis, since we may be in less 'bad shape' then elsewhere.

[uconn99]

Do you not see the Science center getting built?

Front Street will help, the additional condos being built downtown will put more people on the street after 5pm and retail will eventually follow in areas other than Front Street.

Give it some time. Look at Hartford 5 years ago, it was nowhere like it is today.

Providence didn't rebound overnight, neither will Hartford.

[transplantct]

I grew up in Hartford and was there visiting last summer from SC. I was amazed at how much has changed. There were so many new buildings and renovations. I didn't get a chance to visit the library, which I would have loved to do. It looks impressive.

I think what always seemed missing to me when I lived there was a more developed central area that connected to the surrounding new peripheral areas. I think the center lacks retail shops and a lot small interesting places that makes people want to visit.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Why would it be good? I do not think any large "regionalized" city in this country is really better than we have in Connecticut. Right now if I have an issue I can easily contact my town's staff and receive a response to my concern. In a large regionalized city, I can not imagine getting the City Manager to call me back ever.

It is also a matter of accountability. Large regional governments can hide behind their largeness. No one has to answer for their actions or inactions. Do you actually think we would have as good quality of education throughout the region as is offered in towns like Glastonbury, West Hartford or Avon? I strongly doubt it. Bigger is NOT better. Maybe it will cost less, but then again, you get what you pay for. JMHO Jay

I've bolded the only point I can see being a real solid fact against. (Liking or disliking something IMHO doesn't quantify anything)

But even then, what ends up happening now is the state gets involved with the city in just about everything so the "big" arguement if anything is worse in the current configuration.

What I do see is much of the same old same old. "Don't ruin MY town" in the name of bettering the region as a whole type of mindset.

Let Hartford rot, let Glastonbury shine. Not my problem, I don't live there.

The same "minds" and "people" that made BB Square go smooth and a "hit" COULD have also been the same minds involved in making Hartford's development not get as screwed up as it has gotten.

It would be nice to have one zoning and planing board determining what projects get built and funded where instead of having a piece meal of West Hartford building the same thing Hartford is currently doing and Glastonbury now wants to have in "their" town as well. It gives cohesivness IMO.

Something as simple as fixing the parking authority would be a non issue with the right people in place. Right now all they have is what gets elected by the people within the borders. So it's been broke for 10-15 years and nothing happens.

Don't people see that Hartford is the hub and their surrounding towns are supported by it - yet they have no say in what happens in that city at all?

Anyhow...I'm just going on at this point.

[JiminCT]

"Front Street will help, the additional condos being built downtown will put more people on the street after 5pm and retail will eventually follow in areas other than Front Street."

The issue is that people need to feel safe. For the amount of money that the developers are asking for the privledge of living in downtown Hartford, one would expect there to be a large drop in the crime rate. That really hasnt happened. Larry Gottesdiener should be commended for his belief in the city...but the prices he wants for the 21 are really off the map for a city that is so beleagured. If I was wealthy...would I move to Hartford or Goshen?

As far aws Perez...he's an ex-gangster who cleaned his act up...but he has no influence on the bigger business community. Cianci might have had his issues...but he had connections (some better than others). This mayor is bascially a local-yokel. Much like Mike Peters...nice guy, but really has no sway.

Just MHO...but the city needs a good purge on many fronts. A re-organization and streamlining of the bloated city government is one start. Until you make the place financially viable, reasonably priced and safe...
Until that happens, we are more like Worcester than Providence.

[leoberman]

"...and Convention Center (big flop)"

How do you expect people to take you seriously with such an uninformed statement?

Convention Center Delivers -- Courant.com

[nhctguy]

My personal opinion (as someone who is not too familiar with Hartford) is that the vision for Hartford is too large. The convention center is a great facility but its not something to build a city around. Hartford needs a smaller goal before it can think big. Hartford does have good restaurants but the city also needs good shopping choices, amenities, and downtown food markets. The last time I was in Hartford, the city appeared "closed" as it was a Saturday and only the restaurants seemed to be open. I just think that everything that is new in Hartford doesn't have to be the best - it does have to be convenient.

The city should look at places like BlueBack Square in West Hartford, Bedford Street area of Downtown Stamford, and Broadway/Chapel shopping districts in New Haven. These places don't rely on sporting events or conventions to attract visitors. Instead, they provide good food options, good shopping choices, and nightime entertainment. People travel to theses places on all days and at all times b/c they cater to those who want to go out and spend money but desire something different than the local shopping mall.

Again, just my honest opinion - but Hartford needs to think smaller before they take on their next big project.

[netdragon]

Originally Posted by bstnguy

and Convention Center (big flop)

How is being booked up to the end of the decade a flop?

The work downtown was a good start, but at this point the government should let private investment take over around downtown and focus it's money to certain corridors away from downtown and adjoining neighborhoods (perhaps Park St and Farmington Ave) as the next central anchors for revitalization and investment in marketing to draw redevelopment companies. Park St already has a good infrastructure for a bustling work-play community if the neighborhoods off of it can have their land value improved and if Hartford can successfully attract private investment (by assisting with building costs) in new condo and apartment buildings in the neighborhoods off of it.

The money that was put into Adrian's Landing is small fries compared to other cities investments and too much shouldn't have been expected. For instance, Cumberland, GA which is an edge city (read: suburb) of Atlanta has more investment money going into development than all the dollars put towards Adrian's Landing. A lot more has to be done to make the kind of impact that people are expecting and at this point, it should be towards more mixed retail/housing communities since those are really hot right now nationwide. In the 3 years I've been in metro ATL, some chunks of the metro have been thoroughly rebuilt, including Buckhead. The kind of scale is enormous and the affect has been huge.

This same thing won't happen in Hartford with just one way to try to improve the city -- it has to be holistic. For instance, with a metro rail backbone to Metro North in New Haven, Hartford could go a long way in making itself more attractive for satellite office for New York City companies and new communities would cluster near the stations, moving more people and making the area more vibrant. Part of Buckhead's success in Atlanta was because it had metro running through it.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by nhctguy

The city should look at places like BlueBack Square in West Hartford, Bedford Street area of Downtown Stamford, and Broadway/Chapel shopping districts in New Haven.

Take a look at the original plan Robert Fiondella and John Roland rolled out...all that you listed above and more. (Adrians [sp] Landing)

Many things have changed a good amount and the key pieces seem to be getting lost in the mix. The city/state screwed it up again.