[JayCT]

It looks like the first phase of Trinity's downtown campus on Constitution Plaza will open in December. This will be followed by the full campus opening at One Constitution Plaza next year. Good news for downtown. Jay

Trinity's downtown campus debut set for Dec. | HartfordBusiness.com

[beerbeer]

If you're interested this is a video from UConn showing the progress on the new Hartford Campus building.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqe0DvlHqss

[HumpDay]

Originally Posted by beerbeer

If you're interested this is a video from UConn showing the progress on the new Hartford Campus building.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqe0DvlHqss

I drive by it often. It has made great progress. It's very convenient for students that wish to live in the downtown area. So many apartments nearby and so much potential for future developments within downtown.

[Lincolnian]

I'm glad to see that the UConn development project is moving along nicely. Hartford has a lot of potential and there are young people wanting to move into the apartments such as 777 Main Street. As the Atlantic article highlighted, there is a strong preference among younger people for having easy access to a vibrant city. Every time our cities make steps forward to make that a reality it is met with great opposition primarily among older residents living in the suburbs. These a long-term efforts and unless immediate improvement takes place many are quick to say I told you so. Connecticut cannot ignore its cities and be blind to demographic changes. It must commit to reinvigorating our cities by making the investments in strong infrastructure which includes rail connectivity among 1st tier suburbs and Bradley International Airport. This is the future. Many young people have no interest in adding more lanes to highways to sit in cars. Adding lanes may ease congestion in the short run but it has been proven to lead to greater congestion in the long run. Young people, as well as increasingly more active seniors, desire a walkable area with access to good restaurants, entertainment, cultural interests and grocers selling healthy foods. Young professionals also want a critical mass of employment opportunities that reflect today's globally-connected world and high technological development.

[JayCT]

Attendances of Yardgoats games is exceeding all projections with many weekend games soldout or standing room only. Great to hear. Jay

At Halfway Point, Dunkin' Donuts Park Has Exceeded Expectations - Hartford Courant

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

Every time our cities make steps forward to make that a reality it is met with great opposition primarily among older residents living in the suburbs.

It's not just them. I know at least in New Haven, NIMBY's fought development for years and years. Finally the city is moving forward, but it took a lot of fighting and many years.

[HumpDay]

Originally Posted by Stylo

It's not just them. I know at least in New Haven, NIMBY's fought development for years and years. Finally the city is moving forward, but it took a lot of fighting and many years.

NIMBYism is what's preventing Connecticut from moving forward. I can understand some issues facing the value of your own investments but those same people complain about towns cutting services and programs over budget issues. The city/town was good enough for them when they moved in so in their point of view, nothing should be changed. That kind of thinking is dangerous because then these residents fail to see trends and recognize opportunities that could lead to healthy fiscal growth. If you don't progress with everything else, you won't get talent. People in Litchfield County are CAVE people (citizens against virtually everything) because they want their town to look like colonial NE for eternity. Looks where that's leading them.

[beerbeer]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

I'm glad to see that the UConn development project is moving along nicely. Hartford has a lot of potential and there are young people wanting to move into the apartments such as 777 Main Street. As the Atlantic article highlighted, there is a strong preference among younger people for having easy access to a vibrant city. Every time our cities make steps forward to make that a reality it is met with great opposition primarily among older residents living in the suburbs. These a long-term efforts and unless immediate improvement takes place many are quick to say I told you so. Connecticut cannot ignore its cities and be blind to demographic changes. It must commit to reinvigorating our cities by making the investments in strong infrastructure which includes rail connectivity among 1st tier suburbs and Bradley International Airport. This is the future. Many young people have no interest in adding more lanes to highways to sit in cars. Adding lanes may ease congestion in the short run but it has been proven to lead to greater congestion in the long run. Young people, as well as increasingly more active seniors, desire a walkable area with access to good restaurants, entertainment, cultural interests and grocers selling healthy foods. Young professionals also want a critical mass of employment opportunities that reflect today's globally-connected world and high technological development.

Very good points. However, it's not NIMBYism that causes the problem. It is high taxes, high energy costs and an anti-business climate. That means no jobs. That means no growth. For the things you outline to happen, the city and state need to grow.

[Lincolnian]

Originally Posted by beerbeer

Very good points. However, it's not NIMBYism that causes the problem. It is high taxes, high energy costs and an anti-business climate. That means no jobs. That means no growth. For the things you outline to happen, the city and state need to grow.

The business leaders contend that the jobs are there but they cannot attract the talent. This is a public/private partnership issue. If employers want the infrastructure improvements they need to provide a long-term commitment to the area in terms of employment. Both parties have to be making an investment to help solve the problem. Presently, it is working in reverse, if you want us (large employers) to stay you (the state) need to pay us through incentives and tax breaks and it is implicit that there is an expectation that the state will take care of the other infrastructure investments to make the area attractive to the employees as well. It's all on the state with the hope that residually the money generated by employees' income and sales taxes, as well as the money generated by smaller businesses supplying and servicing the larger ones, will outweigh the money spent by the state.

[East of the River]

Originally Posted by beerbeer

Very good points. However, it's not NIMBYism that causes the problem. It is high taxes, high energy costs and an anti-business climate. That means no jobs. That means no growth. For the things you outline to happen, the city and state need to grow.

Well you know except NYC Boston Portland ME Jersey city etc all have those same problems with growth.

CT has treated it's cities as a disease for 60 years, that along with limited land area making for limited tax collection or expansion means they will still be the same way many years form now.