[theguyfrompluto]

Will Waterbury ever revive? I drove to the "Brass City" the other day. It looked like a really crime infested city. There were homeless people walking, I must of saw 20. There were a lot of empty storefronts. The mall wasn't good either.

[mrgmrg]

No, it won't.

I would love for anyone to point me to a city in Connecticut that has really revived, despite the endless millions/billions of dollars poured into them over the last few decades. Stamford is perhaps the only example, and the fruits of that labor aren't really apparent. Plus, Stamford was never as bad as any of the other major cities. Moreover, it's far from clear that all of the money invested and tax benefits given in order to lure development to Stamford has broken even for the state, let alone made money.

Meanwhile, we continue to try to rescue Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, New London, Waterbury, etc., with nothing really to show for it. (New Haven is not a great example because everything good that has happened there it owes to Yale.)

[BPt111]

The quesion is Hartford and Bridgeport dying cities ?

@mrgmrg I will add Meriden, New Britain, Derby, Ansoina, Norwich(not sure) to list

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by mrgmrg

No, it won't.

I would love for anyone to point me to a city in Connecticut that has really revived, despite the endless millions/billions of dollars poured into them over the last few decades. Stamford is perhaps the only example, and the fruits of that labor aren't really apparent. Plus, Stamford was never as bad as any of the other major cities. Moreover, it's far from clear that all of the money invested and tax benefits given in order to lure development to Stamford has broken even for the state, let alone made money.

Meanwhile, we continue to try to rescue Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, New London, Waterbury, etc., with nothing really to show for it. (New Haven is not a great example because everything good that has happened there it owes to Yale.)

New Haven is a good example. Not everything that has been done there is because of Yale though. New Haven is successful because it built on what Yale had to offer but that does not mean Yale was involved. Most of the housing developed was done without Yale's involvement and buildings like 100 College Street or the very succesful 300 George Street building were developed by independent developers, not Yale. IKEA came in without Yale and Jordans is coming without Yale. I could go on and on.

Even looking at downtown Bridgeport, you will see hundreds of new housing units built which is a definite improvemnt over what was there. And Stamford is one of the greatest examples of city rebirths in the country. Without the investments made, it would likely look similar to Bridgeport today. In Hartford the Front Street development is coming along well and the convention center and science center are both very successful. Without government involvement though the area would likely still be parking lots.

Still Waterbury needs to find its niche which will be difficult since its location puts it in a disadvantage. Someday it may get better but not likely in the foreseeable future. Jay

[UconnHusky1]

Waterbury isn't really crime infested (major crimes), but it's still a dump and will remain a dump.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by JayCT

New Haven is a good example. Not everything that has been done there is because of Yale though. New Haven is successful because it built on what Yale had to offer but that does not mean Yale was involved. Most of the housing developed was done without Yale's involvement and buildings like 100 College Street or the very succesful 300 George Street building were developed by independent developers, not Yale. IKEA came in without Yale and Jordans is coming without Yale. I could go on and on.

Even looking at downtown Bridgeport, you will see hundreds of new housing units built which is a definite improvemnt over what was there. And Stamford is one of the greatest examples of city rebirths in the country. Without the investments made, it would likely look similar to Bridgeport today. In Hartford the Front Street development is coming along well and the convention center and science center are both very successful. Without government involvement though the area would likely still be parking lots.

Still Waterbury needs to find its niche which will be difficult since its location puts it in a disadvantage. Someday it may get better but not likely in the foreseeable future. Jay

Hundreds of housing Units but Why Downtown Bidgeport is like a ghost town after 4 PM everything shut down and downtown business are doing poorly recenly Ripka shut down due to 75% descrease in sales every week.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Hundreds of housing Units but Why Downtown Bidgeport is like a ghost town after 4 PM everything shut down and downtown business are doing poorly recenly Ripka shut down due to 75% descrease in sales every week.

I'm surprised that Ripka's even lasted 6 months. I thought it would be closer to 6 weeks, honestly.

Ripka's closes in downtown Bridgeport - Connecticut Post

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

I'm surprised that Ripka's even lasted 6 months. I thought it would be closer to 6 weeks, honestly.

Ripka's closes in downtown Bridgeport - Connecticut Post

I would'nt be surpise more small businesses close in Bridgeport, But How come Bridgeport has most people in the state and It did'nt feel like it

[Stylo]

I'm with Jay. There's a lot of development in New Haven that's not even near the Yale campus. Coliseum redevelopment ($400MM private investment), 100 College, George and Crown, the 209 Church Street luxury apt renovation on the green, Star Supply redevelopment, Howe and Chapel, Jordan's, etc. The majority of these are private investment except for where the city is changing its streetscape along 34.

Sure, a lot of New Haven's success is due to Yale, but most/all of Stamford's success is due to NYC. Every city needs a catalyst. Unfortunately Waterbury doesn't seem to have one.

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I'm with Jay. There's a lot of development in New Haven that's not even near the Yale campus. Coliseum redevelopment ($400MM private investment), 100 College, George and Crown, the 209 Church Street luxury apt renovation on the green, Star Supply redevelopment, Howe and Chapel, Jordan's, etc. The majority of these are private investment except for where the city is changing its streetscape along 34.

Sure, a lot of New Haven's success is due to Yale, but most/all of Stamford's success is due to NYC. Every city needs a catalyst. Unfortunately Waterbury doesn't seem to have one.

Very true, but none of this current development in NH takes place without Yale laying the groundwork 20 years ago. NH without Yale would be like Bridgeport.