Siedler von Hartford

So the February agenda for the CRDA Housing Committee is out. 101/111 Pearl is on there for project updates unfortunately. What caught my eye however were the new proposals. 370 Asylum Street would be the proposed Hollander II, no? Also, perhaps more interesting is 1279 Main Street. This is right across from Capital Prep and very close to where the ballpark is about to break ground. Is this land that is part of DoNo (the developer asking for CRDA assistance) or is this off-shoot development spurred by the larger project? http://crdact.net/data/Unsorted/2-6-2015-HousingCmte-MtgAgenda-72804-1.pdf edit: Just confirmed that 1279 is a separate project not related to DoNo. Still nice to see auxiliary development proposals around DoNo

So I was out at Teds on Friday night and wow! The addition of Nixs and Infinity Hall have really added energy to the street. I'm starting to get the feeling that once the apartments are built, making front street again easily accessible from prospect via vehicle or walking, this will be the "it" section of downtown (even before uconn is moved in). I got to speak to a friend heavily involved with the UConn programs moving downtown, and she reiterated the excitement that leadership has over the relocation, especially the use of shared space (ie Infinity Hall, Wadsworth) and opportunites for better collaboration with arts organizations and employers in the general vicinity. Just a couple interesting takeaways from our conversation: It appears a chipotle is moving in next to Ted's. I haven't been able to verify, this but that would be a great addition. Some fast-casual dining is needed over there to round out the space, making it a more diverse environment, capable of drawing in college crowds (and their limited budget) as well. UConn had recently met with city leaders to discuss their space/surrounding area and at least from this conversation it doesn't seem a done deal at all that the city is keeping offices next to the Wadsworth. Whatever happens, apparently the Wadsworth has first right of refusal (I did not know this but I'm guess you did Voice of Reason?)

So the minutes for the full CRDA board meeting for June are up. We have details on 360 Main Street: 360 Main Street "This is a new project that aims to convert inefficient and underperforming commercial space into 20 units, 16 of them as ‘micro’ units." Very interesting the experiment with microunits. I know they are being building in Boston and New York, but those are places where land is prohibitively expensive. Not sure how successful they will be. It is also nice to see the smaller projects (36 Lewis and 38-42 Elm) getting some lift now that the historical tax credit rules are clarified. There was an included an estimation on the progress of the current projects: 201 Ann Street – approximately 50% complete 179 Allyn – approximately 50% complete 5 Constitution (Sonesta) approximately 40% completion, target date Spring 2015 777 Main Street Under Construction Front St. - Steel is going up http://crdact.net/data/Unsorted/6-19-2014-DRAFT-_BoardMtbMinutes-72474-1.pdf

Could it be 287-91 Asylum Street? Was walking past it the other day and noticed new windows in the upper floors. Has the Pratt St conversion begun?

I am also of the camp saying if this lot is developed apartments need to be included; we aleady lost potential units with UConn taking over the Times Building. Without more apartments than the 121 already under construction, I think front street will fail to be a truly dynamic urban environment. I was thinking that if this building happens, as well as AI (hopefully the final plan is more ambitious than the scaled down proposal), then we start to see Columbus Blvd as a more continuous walkable area rather than just islands of activity--school children getting off buses to the Science Center and Conventioners being shutteled to and from the Mariott/Convention Center--sealed off from the rest of this city by Travelers' and The Phoenix's loading docks.

So in its most recent meeting, the State Bond Commission approved 1.8million to help with the redevelopment of 3 Constitution Plaza. Perhaps this project isn't dead? I wanted to post a snapshot of the approved minutes but was having issues. Here is a news article commenting on it though: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/state_bond_commission_looks_to_borrow_more_money_for_job_creation/