Today, Hartford smells like a long sigh.
The murals everywhere are great . . . but . . . paint can only do so much.
When will other improvements be funded?
Why are there not sidewalks along this street? I ask this over and over.
The parallel street — Bartholomew Avenue — which already had sidewalks, was given new treatments. But this one, where there is a park, remains a speedway and dumping ground.
I could be wrong.
Maybe these murals, painted over ones installed a few years ago, will inspire automobilists to drive cautiously and stop dumping furniture and tires next to this building.
Maybe this will inspire Hartford’s DPW to routinely clean Pope Park West.
Maybe a little more paint in yet another corner will be what it takes for the City to get serious about street improvements — the kind people benefit from 365, not merely a few hours on one Sunday.
Peter Casiano
Shut up an do something about it!!! Still beautiful murals it’s a start
Kerri Ana Provost
Sweetheart, make up your mind.
Do you want me to shut up or do you want me to do something about it?
For your information, I have urged the City for years — using the channels that they devised — to improve both the park and the roadway.
There’s not a fucking chance in hell that I’ll be shutting up, so what, in your estimation, would it look like to “do something”?
Linda Pagani
She is doing something about, as she said. She also said the murals were great. You’re telling her to shut up on her own blog? Please.
Linda Pagani
*about it
Linda Pagani
So true. I like this area, but not the fact that you have to basically cower by the side of the road until the speeding cars pass you by and you can continue walking unafraid. Also, the park is a mess right now. Shameful.
Kerri Ana Provost
It was unnerving standing on the side of the road to look at these murals. They deserve to be appreciated, which is hard to do when people are driving at ridiculous speeds and the place for you to stand is a puddle.
I’ve been on the City about both the park conditions and lack of sidewalks for years. One would hope that everyone involved in this mural project has also contacted the City about both issues.
Linda Pagani
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to these issues. Never stop speaking out, especially since this is your blog. (Haters gonna hate.) “Nevertheless, she persisted.”
RICHARD
We always thought that the area would be a great place to find bodies. A dumping ground for those that have been done away with. With the ugly murals to complement the action. (How about Mamma was standing in a puddle looking at the art and Slippery Joe came by and threw in a live wire) A great place for a horror movie or action. I used to love to go and sit in the little park and get inspired for art in my head. I am of mixed feelings about the place. Fix it up sanitize it make it nice and it will lose its edge. We need more edge in these smooth times.
I know in certain parts when we used to walk along the road, we said 20 Hail Mary’s and pricked up our ears for the sound the vehicles approaching. We used to go dancing at Backstreet, the gay bar that was in the blue building. Fun times and so out of the way that many quickies turned into longies in the surrounding areas. At one time there were Guinea cocks pecking around the yard on the short cut to Hamilton Street. I forgot what business was in the building but remember it was something different.
I laughed when a person making a comment told you to “shut up and do something about it.” Must be a newbie. Your answer gave Tim and I a good laugh. Keep it up and out and never stop doing what you do.