Being unable to entertain oneself for time between meetings or other activities seems like a curse, one which most would benefit from breaking themselves of. The complaint that there is “nothing to do” in downtown, besides being false, speaks most loudly about the person waging it. This guide is not for them. It is for those who do not need constant stimulation — just a place to sit where they will not be hassled¹.
Heaven and New Ross, County Wexford Park
Above the I-84 tunnel, you will find a park that embraces loitering, skateboarding, and painting. Some people have said it looks like an eyesore, but creative expression is no less attractive than the plethora of fast food billboards, electronic signs, or the stark, gray slabs of concrete.
The area between Trumbull, Main, and Morgan Street contains many benches and a few tables. There is not much in the way of vegetation; the scenery here consists of regularly changing artwork and skaters. Continue reading 'Guide to Dawdling Downtown'»
Nina Salazar // Image ripped from her Facebook page, with permission
Countless community discussions have grappled with the question of how to revive downtown.
On Pratt Street, it’s happening.
Nina Salazar is part of this momentum.
Salazar, who says she has been a “working artist and teacher forever,” opened Studio N111 on Pratt Street last fall.
She previously had studio space at the Dirt Salon on Bartholomew Avenue and at Billings Forge on Broad Street. All spaces have their challenges, and in one of those, the lack of temperature control was what prompted her to move on.
But on Pratt Street, she can only cite parking as a major challenge. Visitors are encouraged to use the inexpensive Morgan Street Garage, but for those unfamiliar with Hartford, the two block uphill walk might seem too far. Closer parking facilities are more expensive. To manage this, Salazar says she tries to schedule classes when parking is free on the street. Some things are out of her control, however. When major events happen at the XL Center, her visitors have to compete for parking. When there are road races, the street closures also have an impact.
She’s not complaining. Pratt Street has so much going for it with its central location and current momentum of creative businesses. Continue reading 'The Highlighted Hartfordite: Nina Salazar'»
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.
Reader-submitted photo
If you’ve used Constitution Plaza in recent months, you have no doubt noticed the ongoing reconstruction of the area around the Boat Building.
The plaza is about to become trickier to navigate. From June 17th-July 3rd a large section of the plaza will be closed; pedestrians have been instructed to use State Street and Columbus Boulevard.
For those who use the pedestrian/cyclist segment of the Founders Bridge to commute between Hartford and East Hartford — which overlaps with part of the East Coast Greenway — what alternate routes will you be using to get around this closure?
The nonprofit organization reSET will be opening its Social Enterprise Incubator and Community Co-Working space to the public on June 27th. They say they want “hardworking, collaborative professionals and entrepreneurs to help us establish a culture of innovation here.”
A co-working space is essentially an office space shared by freelancers and entrepreneurs.
The space offers Wi-Fi, desk space and work tables, use of conference rooms and meeting space, and access to printing and copying.
Right now, those who have worked with reSET previously in some capacity are able to use the space before it opens to the general public in a few weeks.
For more information, contact 860-560-9120.
Dear Artist,
Thanks for the time machine ride back to 1992. And for making us all sing that song over and over.
The vibrant, stunning work of JoeSam. will be displayed in the ArtWalk gallery at the Hartford Public Library, with the opening reception taking place from 6-8pm on June 14, 2013. Continue reading 'Art for the Rest of Us'»
(left-to-right) Richard Nelson, Chris Gavreau, and Stephen Durham
Stephen Durham, the Freedom Socialist Party nominee for President in the 2012 general election, drove up from New York for the Thursday rush hour rally calling for Bradley Manning’s freedom. Continue reading 'Blowing Whistles for a Whistleblower'»
A flyer distributed outside of the under construction Capital Grille Restaurant claims that a subcontractor was issued a stop work order by the Connecticut Department of Labor for “misrepresenting employees as independent contractors.” Continue reading 'Front Street Labor Complaint'»
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