Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

maxanderson350 t1_iy42enm wrote

Massive changes - like 10 to 20 thousand new apartments downtown. Only with that level of density can the city begin to support a real downtown area with self-sufficient shops and restaurants.

The only way to achieve that though is massive investment by the state to allow Hartford to lower property taxes and reduce crime, along with streamling zoning and approvals.

31

BeachAdjacent t1_iy45w1j wrote

Between state govt. buildings, federal govt. buildings, churches, schools, etc. SOOOOO much of the actual real estate in Hartford is non taxable. Move the highway exchanges and / or bury the highways to create more developable land. More multi-family houses, and small apartment buildings. Also, schools are old and dilapidated. A huge % of the money spent on each school is just spent on bandaids to fix major structural problems. Stop wasting money on repairs, and just build new.

25

PlayerOneDad t1_iy4471k wrote

Bury the highways. Or move them to skirt the city.

Won't happen.

24

Ill-Video3739 t1_iy44kc5 wrote

Bring back the Hartford Whalers. People will come, Ray. People will come.

17

curbthemeplays t1_iy4msuq wrote

That’s a tough one.

There’s decades of poor planning and urban renewal damage to undo.

You’d have to build a massive amount of apartments and have all new neighborhoods built with street level retail.

It would also help to bury 84, maybe 91 too. But that’s not going to happen.

I always knew New Haven would gentrify, even in its worst days, because it had great bones. There’s a large continuous walkable area that has a traditional street layout (downtown, East Rock, Wooster Square in the heart of it). Not too many office plazas that reduce usable street front space. Not too many parking lots, and the ones left are mostly being redeveloped.

Yes, you have problem neighborhoods still feeling the urban renewal challenge, like the Hill and Fair Haven, but compared to downtown Hartford, it just has a better layout.

13

gromit266 t1_iy49aa9 wrote

Public Transportation that's worth a shit.

10

adam_west_ t1_iy42ujl wrote

Invest in jobs for people. Reform section 8 rental rebate program.

9

PenguinLegos t1_iy46mel wrote

Gentrification of all the bad neighborhoods. Beautification.

9

Frequent_Jelly_4138 t1_iy47ic8 wrote

You’d have to make it an actually appealing place to live. Right now there is absolutely zero reason to not just work there then take your money out to the suburbs

9

HenryJamesTheMaster t1_iy55q9r wrote

Build a fast train straight to NYC and another one straight to Boston.

9

HubcapMotors t1_iy5g1f0 wrote

More housing density and mass transit.

Turn 84 and 91 into boulevards and route through traffic clear around the city.

5

TCPottery t1_iy43c8y wrote

You can find happiness anywhere.

4

STMBK73 t1_iy4i5i2 wrote

Real estate that is appealing to young professionals that work there then hightail it out at 5pm.

4

Aviendha00 t1_iy59bca wrote

Is development along the river possible?

Thinking something like Boston, but don’t know if it makes sense here.

3

Momofthehouse- t1_iy49m4w wrote

Food, beer festivals, and some sort of sports team/ outdoor free concerts. Have something like providence does with water fire, or whatever idk… people enjoy doing shit like that.

2

bdana666 t1_iy5u4k9 wrote

Wow! I'm a former Hartford area resident and I'm impressed with the thoughtful comments. Seriously!

I left the state mostly because of the congestion. Too many people, not that anyone cares, or should care, what I think.

I miss the CT spring. It's really glorious.

2

Boring_Garbage3476 t1_iy6jfke wrote

Many businesses were leaving because millennials want subways and easy access to entertainment, restaurants and nightlife. Well, that was before covid. Not sure what has changed with work-from-home.

2

Darondo t1_iy6l1gx wrote

There aren’t enough young people living in Hartford to make late night restaurants, bars, music venues, and event spaces viable. And there isn’t enough nightlife to attract young people. And Hartford isn’t a walkable city. It comes down to awful planning and it seems like too much work to undo at this point. Like others noted, there isn’t enough housing either. Lots of projects need to be worked simultaneously and that’s just too costly.

1

Boring_Garbage3476 t1_iy6lrw6 wrote

Correct. Young people move to cities for jobs. But they want jobs near where they can have fun, and get there easily. That's why business were leaving. They need young talent because boomers and Gen x are retiring. Hartford just isn't conducive to any of it, and now covid has thrown in a curveball; changing habits and ways of working. We need to study what cities are still thriving and come up with a plan. But then there is the challenge of financing it.

1

Jaymez82 t1_iy4ndre wrote

Get rid of the people. Set loose a bunch of radio controlled bulldozers.

1

jengopeanuts t1_iy4zvls wrote

Question, what's the law school like? Like is it safe around uconn law?

1

TheDemon333 t1_iy6g5tm wrote

I live a block away from the law school. It's a great neighborhood and very safe. I mean, we're another two blocks away from the West Hartford town line and tucked in a very wealthy neighborhood.

I pretty regularly walk to Farmington Ave to grab a bite or visit a bar. Hartford is great, but small. The North and South ends are rough, but downtown is mellow (if abandoned) and the West end is rad. Suburbanites are idiots.

2

PsycherKing t1_iy5z17u wrote

Not OP but UCONN Law is on the West end which is “safer” compared to the Northend or Southend of Hartford. Again this is all relative but short answer is yes it’s safer.

1