Front Street: Progress, or Just Frontin’?
A peek inside the space destined for use as a cinema shows slow progress.
The floor is still gravel. Sheetrock has been installed, yet the space appears far from life as an entertainment venue.
Chain-link fencing around part of the building, along with a portable toilet, indicates some work is happening somewhere on site. The cinema is now slated to open this summer; its opening has been delayed several times.
In mid-February the Hartford Business Journal reported that the HB Nitkin Group, which is the developer of Front Street is seeking to build apartments on a surface lot between Prospect Street and Columbus Boulevard. Last week, an asbestos and lead abatement company was spotted on Front Street, presumably to check out a mold issue.
The Front Street District website has not been recently updated; it still states that an upscale movie theater will be opened by the end of 2011.
this particular site is an amazing story. years in the making. millions of dollars spent. tax deals with the city and the state. a nice building. parking for no cars. what really happened here ?
a developer got paid.. a construction company got paid.. architects got paid..
with what money though ? certainly the state of connecticut has taken a loss here..