13 replies to this topic

[PCGrad02]

Downcity Traffic Issues

Mabye a new traffic pattern will encourage more visitors to the city, as it is now, Route 2 is designed as a quick route thru the city.

[PCGrad02]

Revitalization of the Boswell Avenue Area


This is a neighborhood that was in decline for a long time, considered by many to be the worst area of the city.  It's good to see that people are giving it a second look.  One of the few positives to come about due to the casinos, older homes are being brought back from the dead.

[PCGrad02]

New Rt 2A ByPass Proposal


Hopefully the DOT gets on board with this, it would help Norwich in a big way.  Preston residents would also benefit with less disruption to their properties.

[mikel]

PCGrad02, on Nov 2 2006, 10:29 AM, said:

New Rt 2A ByPass Proposal
Hopefully the DOT gets on board with this, it would help Norwich in a big way.  Preston residents would also benefit with less disruption to their properties.

This is a horrible uninformed editorial.  

Even the title: "Our view: Include Norwich in bypass" suggests, correctly, that the writer does not understand what a bypass does, bypass a city centre so traffic can go around it.

"Downtown Norwich was done a grievous disservice in the late 1960s when then-state Sen. Bill Stanley's proposal to bring Route 2 through Norwich was defeated by the City Council in 5-4 vote. Had that $65 million proposal been enacted, downtown likely would not have suffered the severe economic downturn that saw stores close and the downtown all but die for the last quarter of the 20th century."

WRONG.    Even 2 highways cutting through Hartford couldn't save the stores.    Actually, it helped close them.    The writer seems to be from outer space.

[PCGrad02]

Council of governments question Route 2A bypass


I'm all for the by-pass, the local proposal would harm fewer properties in Preston.  They're not talking about running a highway thru downtown Norwich, it would essentially be a long exit to and from the by-pass through very steep terrain into an already dumpy neighborhood.  The Bulletin is a weak excuse for a newspaper overall, don't judge a proposal by their opnion alone.  If Utopia is built, Route 12 south of the city center will become gridlocked, nobody that lives on Laurel Hill would be able to go anywhere.

[PCGrad02]

Otis Library Ribbon Cutting


This is a project that residents of Norwich, and all of Connecticut, can be proud of.  It shows commitment to downtown areas, that the city library belongs on main street, not out in the woods.

[Lowerdeck]

http://www.theday.co...bf-ae4ce793c45f

Developer proposed "retail plaza" for Washington St. across from Backus Hospital.  Includes national chain pharmacy and coffee shop.  Approx. 20k square feet total.

And people already upset about it: http://www.norwichbu...news/x373059767

[HartfordTycoon]

Lowerdeck, on Oct 6 2007, 01:26 PM, said:

http://www.theday.co...bf-ae4ce793c45f

Developer proposed "retail plaza" for Washington St. across from Backus Hospital.  Includes national chain pharmacy and coffee shop.  Approx. 20k square feet total.

And people already upset about it: http://www.norwichbu...news/x373059767

This seems like a very reasonable development. Some people hate everything. Especially in CT.

[The Voice of Reason]

I was at my in laws and saw something about finalists for the state hospital property.  This however was just about the "small" section within Norwich.

Northland was one finalist, and the other was Bourbon street norwich or something.

I love Northland for what they are doing in Hartford, but I hate their plan for the hospital.  Bourbon street is a great attraction and would actually give more people more reasons to hit SE CT especially as casinos proliferate around the country and the world.

The best thing is that if Bourbon street is selected in Norwich, the rest of the land will still be a massive billion dollar development and nothing is lost, only gained.

Maybe someone can find the details online.  I think it was in the Day or Bulletin.

[The Voice of Reason]

http://www.theday.co...a6-4c38ef082279
This is the article I read about the proposal.

For me, the 61 acres in Norwich are not make or break for the main projects in Preston.  I think it is most important to create reasons for people to come to SE CT.  developing housing can happen on any piese of land.  But creating a destination can only happen on parcels like the hospital.  Below I have pasted the highlights of each proposal for the Norwich 61 acres.  For me I only like Bourbon street.  

"Northland Investment Corp. — one of two finalists for the 419-acre Preston portion of the hospital property — submitted a proposal called "Norwich Green," a $250 million development that includes four neighborhoods, a central Green, and 50,000 square feet of "destination retail."



Northland's plan is meant to complement its proposal for the Preston portion of the site, which includes a billion-dollar, 3-million-square-foot mixed-use development with hotels, retail and residential units, conference and health-and-wellness centers, an 18-hole golf course and a marina. Bourbon Street Norwich LLC is proposing a $267.9 million development that seeks to recreate many elements of New Orleans' famous entertainment district. The proposal includes 125,000 square feet of mixed-use retail and entertainment space as well as a residential component that is not yet defined. The proposal includes an indoor water park with surfing pools that would provide year-round surfing and the capability to host national or regional surfing competitions; hotels; a movie studio; and an exotic car club with helipad.

Preston Gateway Partners LLC, the other finalist for the Preston side of the property, did not submit a proposal for the Norwich parcel."

[The Voice of Reason]

http://www.norwichbu...run-zoning-risk

Norwich hospital news.  this article is more about the zoning in the area and how it could be a problem for developers.  I would hope however if a developer was chozen that they would have no problem getting the zoning changes they need to bring their vision to life.

[Lowerdeck]

Anyone have any idea on what is going up right by Exit 80?  Looks like a four story shell right now, not a huge footprint either.

[PCGrad02]

It's a hotel, not sure of the chain.  It's been in the works for a few years now, quite possibly the creepiest location ever (it's in the middle of a cemetary).

[The Voice of Reason]

I was in Montville the other day and noticed a HYATT PLACE being developed across the street from that new shopping plaza that was just built(home depot etc)

the lot was cleared freshly, and there was a sign saying "opening soon"

no idea what the actual timeline is or the size and scale of the project, but HYATT PLACE is definately one of the faster growing brands in the North East.

I wonder when hartford will get one? (more likely Windsor)

their website allows you to book a room starting feb 11th 2010

and calls it 176 rooms and 6 stories

and I guess its uncasville

PCGrad02, on Aug 11 2008, 08:18 AM, said:

It's a hotel, not sure of the chain. It's been in the works for a few years now, quite possibly the creepiest location ever (it's in the middle of a cemetary).

its till not open either.  just drove by it.