As the plans for Front Street are revealed, I think about how there is an opportunity to create something like Blue Back square without the yuppie air to it (and yes I’ve been there, I like it, but I can’t justify spending $80 on a single pillow). I don’t think it’s our god-given right to build on every inch of the earth’s surface, but I don’t see the point in leaving certain areas vacant and run-down either. Both the Blue Back and (new) Front Street areas have been eyesores in recent memory.
I know that some have trouble getting used to a “city” appearance in West Hartford, but I’m not sure I can understand their perspective that a walkable area is a problem. Given the choice, I’d rather do my shopping, dining, and movie-watching all in one area, rather than have to make three separate trips.
Other than convenience, being able to park in one spot and walk has economic benefits too. Maybe. The town of West Hartford took in over $21,000 in parking revenue alone over Thanksgiving weekend. That’s probably one of the busiest shopping weekends that they have all year, plus some with the novelty of Blue Back Square. There is already plenty of parking space available in Hartford, and with something extra downtown to draw more people in, the city can benefit from those who don’t know that on-street parking is free on the weekend.
So, all of the news media are excited about the Front Street plans, but I’m feeling sort of ambivalent. For one, the HB Nitkin Group does not have their own plans posted on their website. Looking at pictures of their other developments, I’m not impressed. As for as the architecture goes, what I see are nothing more than boring strip malls. The sketch that the Courant printed seems like the building will fit in with the surrounding structures, yet I’m wary of this. A bookstore in downtown would be great. So would a clothing store. But what we already have downtown for clothing is high end and “urban” styles, nothing else. Putting in yet another high-end (which I imagine means overpriced suits and uncomfortable garments that nobody should be forced to wear at work) store seems redundant. A few years ago there was a great vintage boutique on Pratt which I imagine did not do well because it was on the third floor in a building where the landlords are so unfriendly they drive most business owners out quickly. I don’t see why that type of place couldn’t do well if on the ground level, where people instantly see it’s there.
The thing is, this is a great location and I’d hate to see the potential go to waste. If the price were right, I wouldn’t hesitate to move to that area. It’s a five minute walk to everything–Wadsworth Atheneum (the art museum), Hartford Public Library, the Riverfront, the Old State House, Bushnell Park, Capital Community College, JoJo’s, etc. And there are already many places in Hartford that are “mixed development” of retail and residential, but the retail is almost always vacant.