ctman

I wouldn't be suprised if the city uses the site ' temporarily' for parking - at this point nothing suprises me with this pipe dream of a project. There are other, much more desireable, lots to develop downtown that would at least get foot traffic from the 9-5 set. This project just furthers the perception that hartford cannot handle large scale privately financed projects. Nitkin stands to reap huge rewards if the development is a success, however only suffer minor losses if it is not, and he, along with every other developer the state/city have tried to work with want to bear less of the almost non existent risk inherent in the deals presented to them! Why does hartford continue to pour money into projects like this? Remember when they did an audit of the companies that they had on a list that had 'expressed interest' in leasing space, and they found out most if it was B.S.? most of the companies hadn't even heard of the project! There has not been 1 large, privately financed project in the city for almost 20 years. is hartford considered that bad of an investment? yes northland has done some development, however, it has been to this point heavily subsidised by the state. there is no way hartford 21 would have been built if not for rowland's 6 piliars, absolutely not. that does not mean it isn't a good project or that i am not happy it got built - i am very happy! Of course something will probably get built, like the article says, the city/state have poured way to much money into it not to have SOMETHING. like everything else, it will probably be a scaled back, half-a$$ed, phantom of what it should be.

joe blacks is a very nice addition downtown! I actually took the tour of H21 durring lunch on thrusday - VERY Nice. going back tomorrow am with the girlfriend as she wants to see it too. the pic in the courant looks like they have balconies on the 36 floor, SWEET! Living downtown already, I am very excited for what is going on there and really hope it fills up quickly. I would hate to see Northland's project at the YMCA suffer any 'setbacks' would you have thought in 1988 that the society site on the corner of pratt/main would remain undeveloped in 2006? they were going to make it a park while until the real estate market rebounded in 'a few years'. How about MONY's proposed apartment tower site across the park, or the Hilton lot? Hartford is rife with prime real estate that is undeveloped for one reason or another. I want to see front street start NOW as each passing day is a day closer to new parking lots.

this has taken 7 years, give or take right? it's a case of developers wanting to much because hartford is still, no matter how optimistic we all are, an unproven market for large scale development financed privately. there is alot going on for the better, but the city has seen this before. remember, those projects in the 80's were 'shelved for 1-5 years', when the economists saw the climate in hartford improving and it's 20 years later and they're in the trash now. i would love to see it, but am skeptical until i see cranes and concrete.

I took a tour durring lunch today, unbelievable building. the fitness center for the residents is pretty large with cybex equipment, there is a billiard room with a pool table/pinball machine/2 big screen plasma tv's/ over stuffed leather couches and chairs. they have a 'great room' for resident use that is 2 stories high, full conceriege service with valet parking, gorgeous entry and just unbelieveable units with wi-fi and full size washer/dryer. i wish they were selling them, i would definitley like to purchase!!