a Giant step for Hartford?

[Luca Brasi]

I know it is easy to look back at this and cry, but many peoples view of Hartford would have been ruined forever. I think Casinos would have been swell looking in hind sight. especially concidering that they allowed them near enough by to mess things up but far enough away to help in any way.

but that ship has sailed.

Maybe if someone tells Mohican sun to do their 1B addition downtown instead of out in the sticks. but even still tribal casinos are almost too common now and revenues are dropping nation wide as more and more competition develops.

so, since this is the past. what is the future?

[The Voice of Reason]

You sound like a guy that needs a beer.

I think this city can drive you to drink some times, but go back and read my short list of good things that seem likely. it might help.

then again I think I might grab a beer after work myself

[MadVlad]

Let I remind everyone that Weicker was also the guy that handed the Whalers to a buyer from out-of-State that offered less than a local group....... and ended up on the Compuware Board of Directors. He is one of about 5 people that I absolutely hate in this world. If he got hit by a car on Park St, I would walk up and take his picture with my cell phone. I'd then walk away and wish him luck in hell....

[mikel]

I personally am happy there is no casino in Hartford. I'd have no interest in supporting or visiting it, nor do I care if the casino patrons aren't here because of it. That is not the direction I'd want my hometown to take. I just want a vibrant downtown full of sophisticated people and culture. Cities known for its casinos are full of the scum of the Earth. A casino does not fit into Hartford's centuries old culture. We just need to do what our forefathers did when Hartford was good and stop sprawl.

[beerbeer]

Mikel, get out much? Your view of casinos is straight from the 1950s.

Lots of adults - who are not scum - enjoy the entertainment and sophisticated environs of the gambling industry circa 2008. While I agree that the amount of casino footage should be limited. Gaming is another amenity that many cities offer.

[Afro Saxon]

Mikel, get out much? Your view of casinos is straight from the 1950s.

Lots of adults - who are not scum - enjoy the entertainment and sophisticated environs of the gambling industry circa 2008. While I agree that the amount of casino footage should be limited. Gaming is another amenity that many cities offer.

[The Voice of Reason]

The reality is that tribal casinos were not the slam dunk they seem to be now back when this was dreamed up.

Also Hartford thought it had a better 15 years ahead of it than it actually got.

looking back would hartford be a hell of a place if they aloowed this casoino? yes it likely would. would the corporate base have grown likely yes. would the tax increase have created some kind of mass transit from the airport... heck yes.

would there still be crime yes yes yes. maybe even more than we have now, but at least the city could afford to fight the crime with a real budget and a private security presence as well.

Would the colonial charm of Hartford be gone for good? likely yes, but isnt it pretty much gone as is?

I would actually argue that many of the buildings that were left empty then demo'd to avoid paying taxes would likely be still standing and have found re-use in a more active city. Some areas may however have been razed for new hotels or condos or whatever, but I could not guatentee that we would have less historic buildings than we have now.

Would our suburbs be any less quaint or charming or wealthy or whatever the ideal is that people out there cling to?

I doubt it.

wuld our image be worse than it is now? some might say yes, but our image is pretty horrible right now, so pretty much anything would be better than that.

would SE CT be worse off? yes, but in a way it would be nicer. the nasty sprawl down there is completely counter to the areas roots. at least hartford could absorb the services, workforce demand, transportation needs, and lodging needs. in fact it would likely help hartford more than it hurt SE CT.

[mikel]

Mikel, get out much? Your view of casinos is straight from the 1950s.

Lots of adults - who are not scum - enjoy the entertainment and sophisticated environs of the gambling industry circa 2008. While I agree that the amount of casino footage should be limited. Gaming is another amenity that many cities offer.

[blackstone]

I personally am happy there is no casino in Hartford. I'd have no interest in supporting or visiting it, nor do I care if the casino patrons aren't here because of it. That is not the direction I'd want my hometown to take. I just want a vibrant downtown full of sophisticated people and culture. Cities known for its casinos are full of the scum of the Earth. A casino does not fit into Hartford's centuries old culture. We just need to do what our forefathers did when Hartford was good and stop sprawl.

[jcrc]

Why are we talking about casino? As VOR said, it's the past, what is the future? Something quick and easy, bring back the canon at Old State House. Something hard but can be done, re-think the Bushnell Tower square, Hartford should buy MDC out and develop that square. Something equally outlandish as the space needle, I think Hartford should take back the Main and Asylum parking lot and move the financially troubled Mark Twain's House to that spot.

[The Voice of Reason]

Why are we talking about casino? As VOR said, it's the past, what is the future? Something quick and easy, bring back the canon at Old State House. Something hard but can be done, re-think the Bushnell Tower square, Hartford should buy MDC out and develop that square. Something equally outlandish as the space needle, I think Hartford should take back the Main and Asylum parking lot and move the financially troubled Mark Twain's House to that spot.

[JimSawhill]

You need tourists? Build a Space Needle, it gives people a big reason, one they can see while going 95 on the highway, to pull off and stop in. I find it ironic that the same people that insult me for this idea are now clamoring for tourists...

[Luca Brasi]

A Colt Museum created from the collections of Colt, The Conecticut Historical Society and the State Library (which has over 2000 antique colt firearms) in the Colt building in a no-brainer. Gun enthusiasts from all over would come to Hartford.

[The Voice of Reason]

A Colt Museum created from the collections of Colt, The Conecticut Historical Society and the State Library (which has over 2000 antique colt firearms) in the Colt building in a no-brainer. Gun enthusiasts from all over would come to Hartford.

[beerbeer]

The Colt firearms museum at the Colt National Park is a must.

I would also move the Connecticut Historic Society collection and the State of Connecticut collection (including the original state charter) at the state library to the old State House.

The third piece of th puzzle is in Old Wethersfield. The historic houses that served as the HQ for winning the Revolutionary War should be turned into a national park. This area should be fenced off and run as a into a living history museum (a mini-Sturbridge village if you like.) Unlike Sturbridge, it is the one of the most important sites in American history.

This combination of American and State history would serve as a major locust of American heritage. It would be a cultural attraction of national significance that is completely unique to Hartford.

NOTE: The state armory is used every day by the Connecticut National Guard.

[The Voice of Reason]

NOTE: The state armory is used every day by the Connecticut National Guard.

[beerbeer]

It's the National Guard's state HQ. And if there is ever an emergency in Hartford, you'll be dam glad they are there.

[mikel]

There is a building on Pratt street that is 2-3 stories and appears to have no historical significance. I would propose tearing it down and using its space as a pedestrian cut though. that would connect over to Asylum. the cut though would be done up just like Pratt srteet is now. brick pavers, old lights etc...

the walk way would have historical facades lining it, and be primarily small shops. at Asylum the same visual theme would continue towards Mkinnens. Everything would need to look like Pratt. or even better look like the buildings that used to line Asylum. different heights different styles etc. The only break in this street wall would be to the parking ramp entrance on Asylum between this new street and main street.