77 replies to this topic

[Bill Mocarsky]

So now there are two controversial proposals in the Hartford area backed by Malloy, The busway and the UCONN Medical Center expansion.

http://www.courant.c...0,6980090.story

Wouldn't it make sense to tie these projects together in some way - like bring the transit corridor (notice that I'm not specifying busway) to the hospital or bring the hospital to the transit corridor?

[beerbeer]

Bill Mocarsky, on 17 May 2011 - 05:48 AM, said:

So now there are two controversial proposals in the Hartford area backed by Malloy, The busway and the UCONN Medical Center expansion.

http://www.courant.c...0,6980090.story

Wouldn't it make sense to tie these projects together in some way - like bring the transit corridor (notice that I'm not specifying busway) to the hospital or bring the hospital to the transit corridor?

The UConn Medical School should be brought to the medical complex in Hartford.

This smells like it's is a political plum for someone. Not doubt, the unions will reap a windfall.

[HartfordTycoon]

Bill Mocarsky, on 17 May 2011 - 05:48 AM, said:

So now there are two controversial proposals in the Hartford area backed by Malloy, The busway and the UCONN Medical Center expansion.

http://www.courant.c...0,6980090.story

Wouldn't it make sense to tie these projects together in some way - like bring the transit corridor (notice that I'm not specifying busway) to the hospital or bring the hospital to the transit corridor?

The Busway actually will have decent connections to the UConn Health Center from what I've seen. It's not on the direct busway but buses will exit the busway to get to the Health Center area and then get back on.



What I am encouraged by is the fact that Malloy is already getting behind aggressive development projects even in a weak ecomomy. I'm happy that he got his deal done with the unions and hopefully we will see a better fiscal outlook in the near future. I am excited to see what projects will be initiated under his watch since what we have so far are things that he is carrying over from Rell.

[Bill Mocarsky]

beerbeer, on 17 May 2011 - 07:24 AM, said:

The UConn Medical School should be brought to the medical complex in Hartford.

I agree

HartfordTycoon, on 17 May 2011 - 08:58 AM, said:

The Busway actually will have decent connections to the UConn Health Center from what I've seen. It's not on the direct busway but busses will exit the busway to get to the Health Center area and then get back on.

But the 2 projects don't have the synergy that I had in mind.

I think some people look at transit (like a busway) simply as a means of moving people from one place to another.

I like to think of transit as the the framework for a densified corridor. In turn, the development along this linear extension (of the central business district) fortifies the transit line.

I would think if the state was interested in the success of the busway, there would an effort in locating new development downtown or right on top of this transit corridor.  

HartfordTycoon, on 17 May 2011 - 08:58 AM, said:

What I am encouraged by is the fact that Malloy is already getting behind aggressive development projects even in a weak ecomomy. I'm happy that he got his deal done with the unions and hopefully we will see a better fiscal outlook in the near future. I am excited to see what projects will be initiated under his watch since what we have so far are things that he is carrying over from Rell.

There really is something to be said about being bold in weak economic times.

[HartfordTycoon]

I am definitely liking what we are seeing regarding building the UConn Health Center into something world class.
I wish it could be in Hartford but do understand why it is not. It was built in Farmington and it's much easier and less costly to simply add on to what already exists than start from scratch.

Hartford Courant

Malloy made the case for his $864 million plan during a presentation Tuesday morning at the health center's Farmington campus, providing more details about the project he calls "Bioscience Connecticut." Malloy says the plan will create thousands of jobs, position the state as a leader in research, attract top scientists to Connecticut and strengthen the medical and dental schools.

"Let me be very clear," Malloy said. "If we fail to make this investment at this time, if we fail to commit, then we are going to lose ground. … It's about the future of Connecticut and what we aspire to be."

[HartfordTycoon]

I have to say that I think that Curry is spot on in this op ed piece.
There is a lot at stake but I am much more optimistic now than in the past.

Hartford Courant

We should pray the General Assembly says yes. The Malloy plan represents the wisest investment of public funds for economic development in the modern history of our state. That's a sweeping claim and I'll elaborate in a moment — but first, a personal qualification.

For years I have fought attempts to dump tax dollars into bloated projects that fly the flag of economic development. Best were the ones that never got off the ground; the Kraft stadium, Bridgeport casino and New Haven mall cost millions, but less than if they'd actually been built.

New London tore itself apart over development, only to be left at the altar by the intended beneficiary, the Pfizer Corp. Hartford thought it hit the jackpot 16 years ago when the state bestowed $1 billion on Adriaen's Landing. If it makes it to a 20th anniversary without even a dress shop or diner on Front Street, someone should apologize.

[HartfordTycoon]

Bringing it back to the topic at hand.

The expansion plan just got through the state senate. I think it's a good investment in CT's future so I am happy about that. Raising the profile of UConn academically as a medical and research institution is a very important part of making CT a more competive state.  

Hartford Courant

The state Senate approved a controversial bill Wednesday night for an $864 million proposal that would enlarge both the medical and dental schools at the University of Connecticut Health Center while creating 3,000 new construction jobs on the Farmington campus.

The plan would add 100 students to the medical school, 48 students to the dental school, and about 50 medical researchers in a comprehensive plan that would include new buildings and parking garages.

[beerbeer]

"in a thread about a hospital that you know as well as anyone will be a  positive for the region.  you may disagree with the politics behind it,  but this is a development issue not a political one... post that crap on  the courant forums please."

I wish this were true. But in government projects, development and politics are inseparable. I personally believe that almost any investment in UConn pays backs the investment for the state. I support a strong medical school.

But we are about to watch the same mistake be made again. Farmington is the wrong place for the medical project. It stinks of a political plum being given out for all the wrong reasons. And construction jobs are the wrong reason to build it. That is just a welfare for unions, so the Democrats can launder money that will come back to them in campaign donations.

The medical school belongs in the medical cluster in Hartford. It makes sense for Hartford to have to have a powerful center that rivals Mass General in Boston. A center that combines a major hospital, a major university medical school and a strong research facility in one place.

But Malloy and short term political gain and payback will prevent it. Life in Connecticut.

[Bill Mocarsky]

beerbeer, on 02 June 2011 - 05:26 PM, said:

But we are about to watch the same mistake be made again. Farmington is the wrong place for the medical project. It stinks of a political plum being given out for all the wrong reasons. And construction jobs are the wrong reason to build it. That is just a welfare for unions, so the Democrats can launder money that will come back to them in campaign donations.

The medical school belongs in the medical cluster in Hartford. It makes sense for Hartford to have to have a powerful center that rivals Mass General in Boston. A center that combines a major hospital, a major university medical school and a strong research facility in one place.

But Malloy and short term political gain and payback will prevent it. Life in Connecticut.

Building it in Farmington is compounding the mistake of putting it there in the first place. I believe if we are funding this project, it should also be an opportunity to influence development patterns in the right places(the thing that the state has put money in before). I just don't think we are getting the full potential out of this.
And why is time suddenly "of the essence"? Wasn't this project not even on the radar a few weeks ago?

[Bill Mocarsky]

I hope this doesn't get buried in all the off topic posts (that will hopefully be moved to a more appropriate place).

What does everyone think about "option C"?

http://www.courant.c...0,7180328.story

[The Voice of Reason]

Im a huge fan of plan "C"

Farmington only needs medical servioce, they do not need the research aspects etc...  the hospital as it is would be great for localized patient care and all the classrooms etc should be in Hartford.  I honestly feel as though any of the huge lots by the train station should be the location of thre classrooms.

There is a huge lot on Asylum and Broad that is city owned, there is a huge lot connected to the train that is DOT owned
better yet is the Allyn Street parking lots.  Another option is to buy and renovate a downtown office building...

Or build something on the Park/Main Street corner...

Bill Mocarsky, on 04 June 2011 - 03:08 PM, said:

I hope this doesn't get buried in all the off topic posts (that will hopefully be moved to a more appropriate place).

What does everyone think about "option C"?

http://www.courant.c...0,7180328.story

[HartfordTycoon]

Bill Mocarsky, on 04 June 2011 - 03:08 PM, said:

I hope this doesn't get buried in all the off topic posts (that will hopefully be moved to a more appropriate place).

What does everyone think about "option C"?

http://www.courant.c...0,7180328.story

I am a huge fan of plan C as well but understand why it may be more expedient to add on to the existing complex than start over somewhere else. It would be great for a major project like this to be built in Hartford but I am still hopeful that we will see a new major development project proposed for Hartford in the near term.

[The Voice of Reason]

HartfordTycoon, on 14 June 2011 - 07:42 AM, said:

I am a huge fan of plan C as well but understand why it may be more expedient to add on to the existing complex than start over somewhere else. It would be great for a major project like this to be built in Hartford but I am still hopeful that we will see a new major development project proposed for Hartford in the near term.

Well it seems as though HH intends its own expansions regardless of UConn or St Francais or whatever, so hopefully we will see that 12 story office building and the parking lot some day soon.  and who knows what else....

in fact in the most recent P&Z meeting there was a zoning change request from HH regarding some land between Park street and the main hospital campus from residential to commercial or something.

I think they need more attached housing for staff on overnight shifts etc..  and more office space and the planned cancer research center, and the childrens hospital adding 20 beds to neo natal etc etc etc....

and hopefully more mergers from HH growing into a for profit comepany some day

[HartfordTycoon]

This is potentially excellent news.
Wish it was in Hartford but this would not be happening so soon if they were moving the whole thing to the city most likely so this is exactly why they choose just to keep building up the existing facilities. It's much more economically feasible to keep it where it is. I'm anxious to see if this comes to fruition or not.

Hartford Courant

STORRS — A top official at the University of Connecticut Health Center said Wednesday that, "if things go well," the governor will soon announce that a "major scientific group" with several hundred scientists will move to Farmington.
Philip E. Austin, former UConn president and now interim vice president for health affairs at the center, said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy could make the announcement sometime next week.
Austin made his remarks at a committee meeting of the UConn Board of Trustees on the university's Storrs campus.
The health center is located in Farmington.

[HartfordTycoon]

OK, so this is freaking huge.

A non profit research institute is building a 1.1 Billion dollar lab opening at the UConn Health Center! That CT Bioscience investment may have been one of the wisest investments this state has made in a long time. Simply incredible news!



Hartford Courant

A Bar Harbor, Maine-based genetics research institute plans to build a $1.1 billion laboratory at the UConn Health Center campus in Farmington, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is expected to announce Friday morning.
A source close to the administration said The Jackson Laboratory, one of the oldest mammalian genetic research labs in the world, will build a lab that will create 661 research-related jobs, as well as 842 construction jobs, and an estimated 6,200 spin-off and indirect jobs.

[The Voice of Reason]

this is some amazing stuff.

the real interesting thing is that this might not be the end of it.  between this development and the change to the med center, Ill be interested to se if any other companies move to the property and bring more jobs.

look at science park in new haven, this kind of stuff actually works.

[HartfordTycoon]

The Voice of Reason, on 01 October 2011 - 12:50 PM, said:

this is some amazing stuff. the real interesting thing is that this might not be the end of it. between this development and the change to the med center, Ill be interested to se if any other companies move to the property and bring more jobs. look at science park in new haven, this kind of stuff actually works.

Yeah, I mean this is just an illustration of what being aggressive with public investment and economic development can reap. If this plan works out the way that it's planned to I'm sure there will be other companies and labs that will be looking our way. It should also compliment what is happening over at Pfizer down in Groton. This puts us right in the mix internationally for the next generation of medical innovation. There is still so much negativitely in this state that many think this is not a big deal or not a good deal but these folks really have no vision. This is a huge win for Malloy. I know most hate the guy but I'm honestly impressed. The guy is just getting started and he already snagged a Fortune 500 headquarters with Cigna and is really going to make the UConn Health Center into a global center of bioscience and medical research.

[The Voice of Reason]

right there with you HT.

With limited financial resources there have been some actual gains.  I would love to see what could be done if we were on a better financial footing.  What if the state had more money to lure businesses and industries.

I would say that another potential major win for mallow was union concessions.  I mean if the whole budget wrangling thing that led to layoffs and their rescinding, he is actually playing hardball with the state unions, so hopefully in 10 years we wont be bankrupted by our pension obligations and such, and maybe we can eventually figure out how to lower taxes.