Stop your FRONT'N-Front Street Development

The Front Street District will consist of a total of 150,000 square feet with 65,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and entertainment space included in Phase 1 of the project. It has easy access to I-91 and I-84, 900 spaces in parking garages with an additional 2000 spaces across Columbus Boulevard. So whats the problem? The developer has yet to sign a lease with any potential tenants. Also, the apartments of phase 2 have been stalled because of the recession. Its now time for Hartford to work some PR magic and try to convince businesses that Hartford actually is a rising star.

A toll on a road to nowhere?

Gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy recently said he might support a toll on CT Route 11 aka "The road to nowhere." The 7.6 mile Route 11 was created as an alternate to Route 85 between Colchester and Waterford however environmental concerns and funding issues in the 90's halted the project and the highway currently ends in Salem. Malloy says the highway would be a good toll road as long as the funds generated could be legally pledged to be used for only transportation.

Lafayette Square Vernon

The Lafayette Square commercial area has been experiencing "steady" development. Three years ago, the 28,000 square foot complex at 30 Lafayette Square was purchased, and the new owners rejuvenated the property, both interior and exterior, inclusive of architectural improvements to the building façade. Two proposals for assisted living elderly facilities of approximately 100 units each had been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), but no action has occurred. At 75 Hyde Avenue, construction is near completion of 76 private condominiums for the new Bridlewood development. As part of this approval, the developer has generously offered to construct sidewalks from the new development along Route 30 to the Northeast School to safely accommodate school children. At Oakland Meadows, 1158 Hartford Turnpike, 52 condo units have been constructed and are close to fully occupied.

RIP Butt Ugly Building

On August 10, 2010 The Hartford City Council approved the final steps in purchasing the "Butt Ugly Building" at 1161 Main Street in Hartford. The city council on Monday voted in favor of allowing the Hartford Redevelopment Agency to buy the land and its decrepit building for $625,000. City leaders plan to knock down the five-story structure in late September. The cost of the property and demolition of the building — an additional $300,000 to $500,000 — will be covered by city bond money.

The council's vote was the final hurdle in the city's acquisition of the property. David Panagore, the city's chief operating officer, said finalizing the paperwork and transfer of the title could take one to two more weeks.

The building has been inspected and a deposit was already put down, he said.

The demolition process, which involves cleaning out the building and preparing it to be torn down, is set to begin October 27th at 4pm joined by Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra and Hartford City Council Members. The viewing of the demolition can be best watched behind the bulding at Chapel and Trumbull Streets. The demolition method will be by a mechanical claw, city spokeswoman Sarah Barr said. 

WFSB Demolished

The Site of the Former WFSB Building

At Constitution Plaza, the old Broadcast House site, formerly home to TV station WFSB Channel 3 at the corner of Columbus Boulevard and State Street, was razed earlier this year. There, Middletown engineer Abul Islam hopes to erect his 13-story AI Technical Center tower which will be built as a "Platinum LEED" type building. While AI Engineers, headed by Abdul Islam, was still negotiating funding and seeking tenants for the project at press time, the demolition process had already begun at Broadcast House. Construc- tion of the new facility is expected to begin this fall, with completion slated for late 2010.

Green systems for the building will include a hybrid HVAC system expected to provide energy savings of up to 70 percent, a solar photovoltaic roof array, internal fuel cell technology, geothermal heating and cooling, water recovery systems, and sunshading.

In addition to providing office space for high- tech green companies, the AI Technology Center, as it will be known, will serve as an educational center for public school and university students interested in learning about science. The complex will feature a 2,500-square-foot auditorium, 120 parking spaces and 8,500 square feet of street-level retail space.

Daniel Whittemore, AI Engineers' associate vice president and head of IT, said the type of green building technology provided by this building will be in huge demand from companies seeking office space in five to 10 years. This project will put AI at the forefront, and serve as a beacon for developers across the country.

"We could have brought this building to any city, but we're bringing it to Hartford, and we're bring- ing it now. We're natives, and the fact is, and we're big believers in Hartford and in its vitality to be the city of the next century, going forward:' he said.

Mansfield: The Ghost Town?

CVS-one of the only active businesses in the four corners area, straight ahead Bate's Garage and Kathy Johns

According to Mansfield Today, Mansfield/Storrs is a "ghost town." The newspaper is referring to the poor economic conditions stunting development near rt. 44 and rt. 195 due to serious water and sewer environmental issues stemming for 20 years. This area is seen as a gateway into the University of CT and its embarrassing having prospective students and their families drive past abandoned retail locations to get to the best public university in New England.


The Current abandoned locations include the former Two Steps Restaurant in the Holiday Mall, Bate's Garage, a pizza take out place, a liquor store, and the former Kathy Johns Restaurant. The Zenny's Restaurant is not abandoned but there are rarely any customers there, and its not a top choice for dining for Uconn students.

Former Two Steps Restaurant in the Holiday Mall Plaza

Inside the former Two Steps Restaurant 

Former Liquor Store 

If you are interested in the Sewer Study please visit: http://www.mansfieldct.org/town/departments/economic_community_development/four_corners_sewer/current_update.php

Storrs Center Project

According to Leyland Alliance LLC: Storrs Center will be a mixed-use town center and main street corridor at the crossroads of the Town of Mansfield, Connecticut and the University of Connecticut. Located along Storrs Road adjacent to the University, the Town Hall, the regional high school, and the community center, Storrs Center will include a new town square across from the School of Fine Arts complex.

The Storrs Center master plan will knit quality architecture, pedestrian-oriented streets, and public spaces into a series of small neighborhoods that will make up the new fabric of the town center. Ground floor retail and commercial uses opening onto landscaped sidewalks and intimate streets will reinforce shared community spaces and will be supported by residences above. Storrs Center will combine retail, restaurant, and office uses with a variety of residence types including rental apartments, town homes and condominium apartments. Structured and surface parking will be provided. 

The anticipated construction start is Spring 2011 with Phase 1A being completed by Summer 2012

Here is the Phase 1A and 1B

Recently Storrs Center recieved a $4.9 million federal transportation grant. This grant will help create a transportation hub consisting of a centrally located transportation station for University, local, intercity, and express bus service, Dial a ride, and taxi service. This project will benefit the Storrs Center Project and the University Residents, many of which lack transportation to get to airports, downtown, and other events off campus. 

Vernon CT With a Side of Abandoned Restaurant Chains

The Friendly's Restaurant in Rockville has been shut since 2005 although it was profitable, sources say it was underperforming compared to other locations. Although the Rockville Development Authority said it didn't expect the site to sit vacant for very long however, its been almost 6 years and nothing has changed. 

 The Friendly's site is a mirror image of the failed Bennigan's Grill and Tavern located on Hartford Tpk. The Bennigans closed due to "economic conditions" and the property is facing foreclosure. Unlike the Friendly's site, the former Bennigan's site has more space, a larger parking lot, and a much newer structure, not to mention the close proximity to the highway. With the quick expansion of Sonic across CT and the North East could this be the newest spot for one of their franchises?

Rockville Revitalization Plan

The new Downtown Revitalization Plan as presented would increase the downtown capacity from its current 65,000 square feet to approximately 485,000 square feet and includes a re-opening of the old Market Street in Rockville and possible daylighting of the Hockanum River. More info to come.The Town Council has also approved a federal grant for a transportation hub at 375 Hartford Turnpike, also known as the "Teen Center." The hub will be a benefit to parents dropping off their kids at day care and will add sidewalks for pedestrians to use for the nearby Rails to Trails. Critics say this spot was not idea and may not spur economic development. 

Abandoned Highway-West Hartford

CT DOT has been truly plagued by failed projects, however some of the most apparent are the failed highways that were planned around the state. One example is the abandoned Highway crossing over I-84. The second level was a planned I-291 mainline which never was connected. The third level is in use for access to CT 9 but was originally planned to connect 84W to 291 South. Also the third level was to connect 84E to 291 North which is abandoned. The Fourth level is used for CT 9 but was planned to be a 291 South to 84 E connector.

Kurmi.com describes the history of the project:

A few other notable items on the diagram:

• A large stretch of Colt Highway (US 6) would be obliterated by I-84 and the interchange
• Jughandle and hook ramps at exit 40 (Route 71) are visible
• West Farms Mall would later open (1974) where the compass rose is... nice location.
• A cool 7-ramp interchange was proposed at I-291 and Route 71

Hopefully in the future CT will decide to utilize this connector and build a road into Avon, possibly with the recent money proposed by Obama to upgrade infrastructure.

Abandoned Sacred Heart Church- aka St. Cement

Sacred Heart Church of 550 Hartford Turnpike remains abandoned since 1997 after it was closed by the town building inspector Gene Bolles. According to Bolles, cement chunks were falling from the poorly constructed building into the pews which could prove lethal if they hit anyone. The building's design would have not been approved by today's standards, and even during its construction in the 1970's, Russell and Dawson, the builder, was warned about the possible problems of the 7 story design. Repairs could cost the church hundreds of thousands of dollars. Engineers offered various solutions for the building to become functional:
-Plan to repair the walls every 10 years
-Cover the pews with a canopy to catch falling pieces (still scary).
-Replace the concrete slabs with a different material that is safe with modern standards


Currently mass is held in the pavilion building right next to the original church, no plans have been decided yet on the matter of the original building. The vacant parking lot has been turned into a park and ride and used regularly to transport residents to Hartford and Mohegan Sun.

East Hartford Showcase Cinemas Property

According to Mayor Melody A. Currey of East Hartford, the former Showcase Cinemas land is being vigorously marketed.


According to the Hartford Courant, the site has been acquired by Summit Development LLC in hopes of redeveloping it into retail space. The site was purchased from National Amusements in 2008. So far there have been rumors of a Walmart, Target, and Ikea, however the grey-zone has remained untouched.

Roosevelt Mill Project-Rockville CT

Roosevelt Mills, a former sweater manufacturer in Rockville, CT closed its doors August 1988. The mill was one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in the country. The former factory is set to re-open as an apartment and commercial center.  The building has been vacant since 1988, because of its designation as a Brownfield site. Currently the grounds are being cleaned up due to contamination of chlorinated solvents including tetrachlorethene.

The development will be known as Loom City Lofts and will include 68 one bedroom apartments  and 10,000 feet of retail and office space on the first floor. 

For more information on the project visit: www.LoomCityLofts.com