jcrc

Maybe CT can sell the site to Goodwin College.

Is it just me? But it looks like the same Sage Allen boxy cheapy quickie ripper offer.

I would have thought even the densest blockhead has figured out by now that most national names ain't coming. With low downtown residential head count and continuous lost of jobs to suburbs, it's very stupid to frustrate potential retailers by not returning their calls. It make them feel unwelcome.

When we were looking for a space for our shop, we called a lot of for lease phone numbers, repeatedly, that posted on the windows of all those empty retail spaces, and most of phone calls were not returned. The one did return our phone call - State House Square, told us no they don't want a coffee house at their building. We didn't call "One of its downtown retail spaces on Pearl Street has been vacant for nearly seven years. Despite an extensive makeover of its storefronts on Pearl Street, there were still no takers, said Marty Kane, senior vice president of Talcott." Because the space in question is on the street level of their totally ugly with a F parking garage. If the builder wants to ruin the street scape with a parking garage, then don't expect any retailer to take a claustrophobic afterthought addition as a retail space. I literally gave up on looking for a space in Hartford, and the only reason we ended up in Hartford was my wife make one last phone call to Nyberg's office and he happened to answered the phone - we already left 5 messages with his office and he knew nothing about us calling. By the way, even though we have very good relationship with Nyberg, and his people know we are looking for a New Haven location for another shop, when one of his retail spaces in New Haven was available, they gave it to Starbucks.

It's only about 4 blocks. What's 4 blocks for urbanites? I walked from Bill's Automotive at Buckingham to Pratt Street when I need to have my oil changed, it's a nice walk. If the folks in Linden need their fine booze, then a bit of strolling is all it takes. I spoke with the owner or manager of Spiritus, Northland did not give then a break on the lease

Maybe our senators and congressmen/women are too busy to think about bringing home the bacon?

There we have it folks. Let no one accuse the city of Hartford is not business friendly.

I hope you are right, Arts Council is sort of like the downtown merchant association/chamber of commerce all roll into one, so I assume he knows a bit about what is going on.

Just spoke with someone at Arts Council who I am assuming knows a bit about the inside scoop. He is pretty negative about Front Street, while he did not say it won't happen he mentioned the slow moving condo market is not helping.

Aren't there emptied retail spaces in Constitution Plaza? I thought initially there were shops in there, but none survived.

It looks nice at night, but during day time it's not exactly pretty.

I hope you are right. I hate to see tax money paying for crap while enriching some well-connected developer.

I agree 100%. Personally think Rome would better than to Paris.

Unfortunately where the Convention Center is located, it will never has the kind of economic impact that Providence's Convention Center brought to Providence.

Exactly. Which is why I think catering too much to students and young professionals is counter productive. Something risqu

Hartford doesn't seem to be as progressive as Northampton or Village. I mean there just isn't any lesbian biker chick who wear those funny little axe medallion and have pierced nipples around here. Maybe Hartford should model itself after the theater and the museum district?

june 15 is tomorrow.....any news? rumors?

Nitkin is probably having a hard time lining up tenants. Take a look at Bluback Square, they have already signed major retailers. If Nitkin can get enough retailers to commit, I bet he would start construction too. http://www.bluebacksquare.com/images/11X17...ng_Brochure.pdf

Had a talk with the someone from Hartford Arts Council, he said the negotiation is going slowly but Nitkin is still committed, and have just bought some banners to be hung somewhere. Is patience still a virtual?