[SOCOM]

MadVlad, on Sep 25 2005, 09:01 PM, said:

Yeah, apparently we don't even warrant a "Zone", just an attraction....

I don't think you can really blame ESPN for not having a zone in Hartford. The reality is, Hartford is still a risk at this point, and no large company (or small for that matter) is in the business of of taking huge financial risks. I think just the fact that ESPN is interested in putting an "attraction" downtown shows us how much they care about Hartford. They could just as easily have said no, or opted to put this attraction in West Hartfod, Bristol, or Stamford. So that's my take on it.

[Cotuit]

The convention center makes downtown Hartford much more attractive to ESPN I'm sure.

[beerbeer]

The ESPN Zones are rip offs. High prices, bad service, they live off tourists and not regular customers. The attraction will be unique. The only of its kind. If that is successful and tourists start to show up, then ESPN can rip them off by adding a "Zone."

[HartfordTycoon]

OK, no real news yet. But I saw an update on channel 3 saying that Nitkin will unveil the plans in January. He also assured them that there are big name entertainment and retail tenents signing on. We already know that ESPN will develop a destination and that Robert A.F. Stern is the architect, now we have to wait and see who will be joining them in the Front Street District.

This post has been edited by HartfordTycoon: 09 November 2005 - 05:30 PM

[Germaine]

Maybe 2006 is going to be our year! Utopia, BDL - Europe, CT Science Center, Front Street...

[SOCOM]

Appreciate the update Tycoon. I was hoping for a 2004 unveiling but January is the next best thing.

Just 7-10 more weeks...let the countdown begin!

[beerbeer]

The complicated lease is slowing down the process. See today's (11-15-05) Courant for full details.

[Luca Brasi]

What is causing the complications is the fact that Nitkin wants to include condos - not rentals - in his plan. The problem is that the land is already owned by Travelers. How do you sell condos to someone when someone else already owns the land?

Another problem is Nitkin has to use the infrastructure already in place and design around existing garages, streets, utilities, etc.

The story stresses that Nitkin is the "preferred developer" - nothing is a done deal yet. In order to increase his chances, Nitkin has had Robert Stern design multiple plans for Front Street. I hope we get to see them all.

[MadVlad]

I hope we even get to see them...

[SOCOM]

If this deal falls through I'm going to stab myself in the eye with a spoon.

[MadVlad]

Well, SOMETHING has to go there, hopefully Nitkin is right, and they are just taking their time so as to get it right the first time...

[GregV]

I hope so. And though there are several complications to building condos at part of the site, I hope the final plans include them. Home ownership should be the #1 priority in downtown development, as it is essential to the health of any city. People care more about their city if they own a piece of it.

[beerbeer]

HARTFORD, Conn. -- In between the new Connecticut Convention Center and Hartford's downtown are six bare and empty acres.

Questions of who owns the land and how to configure the development have complicated negotiations, but both sides hope to have a deal in place by year's end. But, given that this is the state's third try, they say haste is not a priority.

"You only get to design a project of this magnitude once," said Bradley Nitkin, the Greenwich-based developer hoping to make his Hartford mark. "And my view is, you want to do it the right way."

In 2004, the Capital City Economic Development Authority dumped developer Richard Cohen after he failed to begin work in two years. A year ago, an effort to find a new developer failed.

"We're definitely getting closer to an announcement," said Nitkin, who was selected as "preferred developer" in April. He and his architects, the eminent Robert A.M. Stern's New York City firm, have submitted several configurations.

Half the land is owned by The Travelers Indemnity Co., with the state holding a 99-year lease, so one holdup involves figuring out how Nitkin would be able to sell condos on the site."

------------------------------------

My question is if only half the land is 99-year leased, whhy not build the condos on the othe half of the land?

[SOCOM]

beerbeer, on Nov 16 2005, 12:44 PM, said:

My question is if only half the land is 99-year leased, whhy not build the condos on the othe half of the land?

Sounds like they don't want the condo's to be seperate from the retail in one or two towers, but rather integrate the two in more expansive buildings.

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

ANY movement at all from Nitkin / CCEDA??? A site plan? Conceptual drawing? Doodle on the back of a cocktail napkin?

[HartfordTycoon]

Theophrastus Bombastus, on Dec 16 2005, 09:56 AM, said:

ANY movement at all from Nitkin / CCEDA??? A site plan? Conceptual drawing? Doodle on the back of a cocktail napkin?

We should see something in early January according to press releases.

[Hartfordfan]

if you get any pictures when the rendering comes out, please post it right away. i have been waiting for years to see what is the final design looks like. When does construction of the science center start? i drove by there recently but haven't seen a thing done on the sight.

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

Does the state have any arrangements with St. Paul Travelers and Phoenix to do something with all their loading docks on Columbus Blvd.? They are pretty ugly, and could probably be relocated (plus, every time I drive there all the truck just stay in the street anyway and unload their stuff!)

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

STILL no site plan for Front Street? What is the deal-ee-o? Troubling.

[Hartfordfan]

yea. they're supposed to release the plans this month. if not, this will be very bad.