[skytrekker]

Hartford has been a basket case for decades with making appropriate decisions for urban renewal.
Constitution plaza in the early 1960s was less then successful- and the current Adrian Landing project seems rather hodgepodge- perhaps in the end the different sums of the part will look more interesting then some kind of grand plan that is too costly and not currently economically prudent.

Providence has done a great job over the years in its revitalization- though I feel a large Mall downtown in Hartford- like at Providence Place might be too sterile- those types of enclosed malls seem to be falling into disfavor among developers and planners.

Something like a outdoor town center -like West Hartford has in its 'marriage' of the old center and BB Square, with elements of Somerset in Glastonbury with a touch of downtown Northampton Mass would be best for Hartford.

Right now the economy is too bad for an ambitious shopping complex in Hartford.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Hartford has been a basket case for decades with making appropriate decisions for urban renewal.
Constitution plaza in the early 1960s was less then successful- and the current Adrian Landing project seems rather hodgepodge- perhaps in the end the different sums of the part will look more interesting then some kind of grand plan that is too costly and not currently economically prudent.

Ironically, Constitution Plaza was supposed to have a housing and retail element and be an extention of the once bustling Main Street shopping district. (Hence the Plaza is actually at the same elevation of Main Street and the entrance to the fox building!) That got cancelled so it turned into a "business plaza" with all the personality of a parking lot.

Sound familiar here? At least the Science Center is getting done I guess.

[skytrekker]

Jay

actually old front street in Hartford- the very interesting Italian 'Main Street' would have been better off preserved or at least integrated into A modified plan for Constitution plaza- it would have preserved that very nice area of Hartford- they bulldozed it into the ground- the Old Front street area and destroyed the character of the area. I guess I am showing my age- but I remember when Constitution Plaza was being built.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Jay

actually old front street in Hartford- the very interesting Italian 'Main Street' would have been better off preserved or at least integrated into A modified plan for Constitution plaza- it would have preserved that very nice area of Hartford- they bulldozed it into the ground- the Old Front street area and destroyed the character of the area. I guess I am showing my age- but I remember when Constitution Plaza was being built.

I disagree. Front Street was a slum. Dirty cold-water flats with no central heat or sanitary facilities over rat-infested stores. Not exactly the charming neighborhood it is portrayed these days. Also, Constitution Plaza was not a "failure". It kept many important city businesses in the city that could have headed for the suburbs like Connecticut General did in the 50's. I have many books on architect and city planning from the 70's that discussed Constitution Plaza. Give it time and people will see the value it was. They may even appreciate its 1960's architecture.

It is also interesting to note that in the history of buildings, people will usually look on any building that is 30 years old as being a failure. The most noted was Pennsylvania Station in New York. It is hard to believe but back in the 50's it was not considered a good building. that is why it was demolished. Looking back from today, it is hard to believe. Jay

[skytrekker]

Jay

and what is there now? Really nothing. Before destroying a cities heritage- try and think of alternatives before imploding it and bulldozing- that part of Hartford destroyed nearly 50 years ago- has it changed the dynamics of Hartford? Hardly. Boston still has its ethnic north end right? You cannot continue to destroy, bull doze and rebuild- what has that gotten Hartford? Nothing. Preserve the heritage of a city- they have yet to learn that in Hartford- How many areas of San Francisco have been 'eliminated' compared to Hartford? Really none-perhaps CT planners and suburbanites with mold up their ass** need to get a life.

Try and visit Pioneer Square in Seattle and see what real planning and historic preservation can give a city.

[Uconn97]

Sky - Good points. Hartfords continued solution is to bulldoze and then rebuild (with tax dollars of course). Check out the photo book "victorian hartford". I didn't realize how much of hartford we had lost until i bought this book and saw how many structures fell to the wrecking ball. Gorgeous victorian era buildings too. Many were replaced by "newer" modern structures (which isn't neccessarily a bad thing), but some simply became parking lots! Many fell when 84 and 91 were built, progress yes, but in retrospect cutting the city off from the north end and the riverfront were both mistakes that most realize today.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Uconn97

Sky - Good points. Hartfords continued solution is to bulldoze and then rebuild (with tax dollars of course). Check out the photo book "victorian hartford". I didn't realize how much of hartford we had lost until i bought this book and saw how many structures fell to the wrecking ball. Gorgeous victorian era buildings too. Many were replaced by "newer" modern structures (which isn't neccessarily a bad thing), but some simply became parking lots! Many fell when 84 and 91 were built, progress yes, but in retrospect cutting the city off from the north end and the riverfront were both mistakes that most realize today.

UGH! I suppose Hartford isn't the "historic preservationist" city I thought it was after all.

[skytrekker]

Uconn- that's my point- and that is why Hartford is sill fumbling in the dark.

[skytrekker]

No Scran it is not, they are trying to reverse the thinking that bulldozing and starting all over solves problems- it does not. New Haven has done far better- so has New London, surely West Hartford, and even Manchester- too many folks here have the mindset that if you just wipe the slate clean, what replaces it will be better.

The good thing is that Hartford is waking up to its heritage- and weaning itself away from the bulldozer. The new Science center on the banks of the CT river is an example of forward thinking- the city is incredibly blessed with wonderful neighborhoods and architecture.

[Uconn97]

Well scran - don't despair. There is still plenty of beautiful architecture and things to do in hartford! Just wish they had saved more of it!