beerbeer

Given a NHL team would play mostly in winter, a covered plaza seems prudent. Here's how HOK potentially sees it. "With the Hartford 21 tower and parking garage occupying the length of Asylum Street (between Ann Street and Trumbull Street), the arena would have little presence along its southern edge. However, the creation on an inside/outside public space that also functions as the main public lobby for the arena is an intriguing thought which warrants further study. Conceptually, this design feature could link the Ann Street District and Union Station to the Pratt Street District and the heart of downtown – the arena, in effect, could become a major “link” in downtown, rather than the “barrier” that it has been for the past 32 years. Like Asylum Street, the Trumbull Street edge is built out by the Hartford 21 tower and retail buildings, as well as the Hilton Hotel. In addition to creating a primary entry into the lobby space discussed above, some arena uses (as well as exterior signage and graphics) could potentially be integrated into the Hartford 21 retail block." The BOLD is mine. As I said, there is much innovative thinking in this document. I assume the inside/outside concept would mean you could go from Pratt to Allyn without ever going through a door. Moving from this feasibility study to financing and construction should happen pronto.

I read most of the report. It's a pleasure to see a a professional done document filled with new ideas that addresses multiple contingencies. After reading most of the dull documents prepared by Ken Greenberg (my favorite whipping boy) this is absolutely a step up. The case for a new arena is self-evident after reading this document and the appendix (on the existing XLC).

I think this configuration would make sense for Allyn/Pratt Street. The new street (as shown by the red line) would allow a continuous flow from Main Street to the Train Station. It also allows enough room (green space) to put a world class arena north of Allyn/Pratt.

Pollin owns the building an is making out like a bandit. But even if the DC had covered the entire cost of the MCI/Verison Center, it still would have come out ahead. The stadium has led to a building boom and the area is now an economic powerhouse. It turned a dormant part of the city into one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Washington. In fact, the only reasonable conclusion that could come from studying the Verison Center is that building an arena is a must. No matter how you get it done, it enhances the life of the city and more than pays for itself.

That number would seem insanely high. Especially since 55 on the Park has an agree with Oakwood, who is one of the the country's largest corporate leases.

162 units is more than 162 customers. It is probably well over 200. Add in the 120+ folks or so up the street at Sage Allen, 100+ in Trumbull on the Park 30 condos sold at the Metropolitan. 55 on the Park has leased 135 units. That's 547 relatively new units within two blocks of H21 including the tower itself which still has 100 apartments available. There should be some meaningful number of units coming on line in the American Airlines building this year. And the Bond hotel has kitchens in every suite which should drive some guests toward a grocery. Some retail should be viable in this environment.

According to the Hartford Business Journal on January 14, H21 is 62% rented and right on schedule to be at 90%-95% at the two year mark of its opening in September '08. A little quick math means that over 160 units are rented. Sooner or later these numbers have to have a positive impact on downtown businesses.

I imagine the spike in fuel prices has everyone looking at their schedules everywhere.

Not true about I-91. Unless they put it in the river. Cutting the city off from the river was a huge mistake. Access to the river truly enhances the quality of life of the city. If the state had the billion bucks to get rid of I-84, it would be better spent on the Griffin Line and substituting rail for the busway.

Bill, The I-84 viaduct cuts Asylum Ave at a natural boundary, a steep hill, between downtown and the Asylum Hill business park. It doesn't really cut anything off, it just reinforces the topography. Even if I-84 didn't exist, I think downtown would end at the train station and the Asylum Hill office park (Aetna, the Hartford, the Archdioses, etc) would still have the same character. The Viaduct cuts Park Avenue at another natural boundary, Pope Park, the natural valley for the Park River and an artificial boundary, the rail line. None of these should be impediments to the natural flow of the city. I-84 hasn't really interrupted any growth. There is plenty of room in the existing neighborhoods. The viaduct just reinforces the boundaries of natural neighborhoods. The city's true problems reside at city hall and in the state capital building. They have taxed the city to the brink of extinction. The highways are eye sores. But the real problem was the DOT killing the Griffin Line, which would have reduced the need for surface lots and began the process of bringing true public transportation to the city. Removing the viaduct (which would be great) accomplishes nothing without fixing the real problems.

The "big dig" brought billions of federal dollars to Mass. It is often thought of as a giant mess, but in truth it was a gravy train for state businesses.

It would be nice to fix the I-84 viaduct. But they covered over I-84 downtown and what happened? Nothing. The interstates were ill conceived but there are plenty of cities cut by interstates and it's no big deal. I-84 is NOT the problem. No parking. Bad tax structures. Corrupt mayors. Fix those and I-84 will not be an issue.

A radio studio can be as small as a folding table and two chairs.

Colin is an idiot. Both those markets are on water front property and one of their main selling points is seafood. Hartford had a great farmers market that was closed for no reason. The farmers market should have returned as soon as the building fell through.

I can comment on the quality because of AM Stern. His involvement has been know about for a long time, and he doesn't do mediocre or cheap. If you paid attention, you would have known that as well.

You guys are amazing. This seems to be a very nice project, appropriate and high quality. Its success will have nothing to do with Blue Back or anything else. It will rise or fall on its own merit. I could give guys a free car and you would complain about the price of gas. Sheesh.

They hope to have a shovel in the ground within six months with the completion of part one 18 months after that. So construction starts May/June 2008 and finishes around January 2010 and then they have to fill the place up.

The MOD (merchant of death) Museum. Why not?

The Atheneum has a terrific collection of Colt firearms. It should be put on permanent display at the armory as part of a Colt Museum.

Construction steams ahead at Front Street.

A steam shovel!!!! What is this 1890?

The site had developers ready to go right out of the box. But the first group in wanted to put a lot more residential units than the city wanted, and the city declined. In retrospect, that was a stupid, stupid move. Ultimately there is a lot more right with the site than wrong with it. You have the CCC, close proximity to to Travelers and Phoenix and downtown workers, easy highway access, there should be ample parking, and, of course, a boatload of financing. Someone will eventually figure out how to make t work.

I read an article that said the Holland flight has exceeded expectations. You can take these comments with a grain of salt because they are from Bradley

Bradley is a "small" airport because of the man missteps of the CDOT.

Hig speed transit is the most expensive but also the most successful.