Access Restored to Flower Street
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Pedestrian and cyclist access has been restored on Flower Street, connecting Farmington Avenue and Capitol Avenue. Continue reading 'Access Restored to Flower Street'»
Category: Asylum Hill
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Flower Street Re-Opening?
The pedestrian/cyclist access of Flower Street is supposed to resume tomorrow, after a temporary closure for construction.
In the time since vehicles have lost access on that street, the Dunkin Donuts on Capitol and Lawrence has changed owners. On Sunday, La Paloma Sabanera (Capitol and Babcock) announced it was closing, with its owner saying that while business has definitely slowed since the Flower Street closure, her decision was primarily due to the building’s landlord being unwilling to negotiate on the high rent while simultaneously not addressing issues on the property.
Currently, there is a “mitigation path” connecting the north side of Flower Street to Broad. The section of Broad where it empties is currently under construction; the sidewalk on the west side of Broad Street is closed, requiring pedestrians to cross where there is no crosswalk and where cars are rushing to enter I-84. Most of Broad Street’s eastern sidewalk is usable, for pedestrians who are not in wheelchairs or using strollers. Essentially, those in wheelchairs or using strollers have to enter the roadway on Broad Street, further detour by going downtown, or head in the opposite direction and use Sigourney Street, if they are to go from Farmington Avenue to Capitol Avenue.
In Your Neighborhood: Asylum Hill (round two)
By Kerri Provost, June 8, 2013 7:37 pm
In Your Neighborhood is a weekly photo series Continue reading 'In Your Neighborhood: Asylum Hill (round two)'»
Move in Right Direction with Farmington Avenue
By Kerri Provost, June 7, 2013 9:04 am
While the Vulnerable User bill stalled once more, Hartford cyclists have one reason to not despair.
After being told that bike lanes on Farmington Avenue would be impossible, a reassessment of that area found space on the major thoroughfare. We are being told by those involved with promoting cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure that lanes will be created in both directions between Sherman and Marshall Street. Continue reading 'Move in Right Direction with Farmington Avenue'»
June 2013 Events
By Kerri Provost, May 28, 2013 6:13 am
New Verdict for Flower Street
By Kerri Provost, May 20, 2013 4:01 pm
This afternoon, Judith Almeida, a staff attorney at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, ruled that unless a grade separated pedestrian/cyclist bridge is constructed over the crossing, the Connecticut DOT may not permanently close Flower Street to pedestrian and cyclist usage. The Flower Street crossing will remain closed to vehicular traffic.
You can read the full ruling below:
More Construction Planned for Broad Street
Comments Off The area around Broad Street and Capitol Avenue has always been congested around rush hour. This has steadily gotten worse with the closure of Flower Street to motorized traffic, then more so with the construction on the Broad Street bridge which has been narrowed in recent months.
It’s about to get worse.
On Monday, May 13th, the MDC is starting water main work on Broad Street, with initial work being done at the intersections with both Capitol Avenue and Farmington Avenue. Work is scheduled between 8am-4pm. Delays are expected.
Temporary Closure of Flower Street for Pedestrians
Comments Off According to the CTfastrak “Construction Bulletin,” “The current pedestrian crossing on Flower Street Amtrak rail line will be completely closed from Monday, May 13, 2013 to Friday, June 14, 2013. A temporary pedestrian walkway has been installed.”
Though they say nothing about cyclist usage, it can be assumed that this unrecognized population will also be banned from using the north-south route while this construction occurs.
The “temporary pedestrian walkway” is useless for those seeking a direct north-south route alternative, but if you’d like a lovely stroll through a parking lot below the interstate, go ahead and enjoy the walkway that links Flower Street to Broad Street, an east-west route.
Construction is weather-permitting and may be rescheduled if necessary.
May 2013 Events
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May 1
- The Hartford Public Library will be hosting a community program on planning for sustainability. The HPL says, “This workshop offers in partnership with the Hartford Foundation for Public giving. Sustaining your initiatives requires leadership, persistence and a plan. This workshop will enable you to think and act more strategically in demonstrating the sustainability of your initiative and will offer suggestions on planning for program continuation.” 10am-12pm in the Downtown Youth Program Room.
- Reel Youth Hartford Film Festival, founded by Public Allies Connecticut, “aims to engage and unite Hartford youth in telling their stories and the stories of their city through film.” Films created by youth living in Hartford will be screened tonight at Cinestudio. Doors open at 5:30pm, programming begins at 6. There will be an awards ceremony and reception. This is free and open to the public.
- Also at 5:30, young professionals are welcomed to the Connecticut Convention Center for the free networking event, Get HYPEd. This goes until 8:30pm. It’s casual. No rsvp required. Bring business cards!
- Ever wanted to try drawing with a live model as the subject? Who hasn’t? Studio N111 is offering a Life Drawing workshop with a different theme every month. For tonight, JaVon will model as artists of all skill levels wrangle with “proportion.” There is a $15 fee that includes materials. 7pm. Studio N111 is located at 75 Pratt Street, #301. No need to rsvp — just drop in. Continue reading 'May 2013 Events'»
City Meets with Residents about Flower Street
By Kerri Provost, April 26, 2013 2:36 pm
Anna Barry, the Deputy DOT Commissioner, left after a few minutes, but City of Hartford employees remained at the table with Frog Hollow and Asylum Hill residents and stakeholders for over two hours.
Barry’s contribution to the meeting was acknowledgement that the City has been engaged in “vigorous discussion” with the Connecticut DOT and that no conclusion has been reached between those parties about what is an acceptable path forward.
The remaining several hours were spent discovering how many different ways it is possible for all present parties — Barry excluded, as she removed herself from the Studio at Billings Forge before this conversation launched — to have independently developed a distrust of the State’s transportation agency. Continue reading 'City Meets with Residents about Flower Street'»