Comments on: Bishops Corner Redevelopment Update

By: abbie

abbie — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:51:23 +0000

I supported Rosenberg’s proposal for the project at the Iron Works Shop. He bent over backwards to assuage the residential neighbor’s concerns and unlike the current project, the Iron Works Shop has always been a commercial site. Yet, Rosenberg was turned down for his smaller size project that also looked like a New England home.

By: Igor

Igor — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:24:13 +0000

Across the street there was a proposal to build a dental office, few floors, zoning hated it. Think the guy moved to land lease deal in Newington. They ought to lower our taxes with Blue Back!!!

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:47:10 +0000

George- what was proposed at Rosenberg’s? I’m not familiar with the plan.

By: UNcle D

UNcle D — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:50:54 +0000

Thanks AMY

By: George

George — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:41:21 +0000

How come they are proposing this after Rosenberg’s idea across the street at the iron works shop got axed?

By: Floyd

Floyd — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:37:03 +0000

I think the walkability aspect is ridiculous. This property is located directly on a state highway which carries at least 20,000 cars a day. That fact will not change and traffic is only going to get higher over time. These same points where made with regard to the dentist office that was proposed across the street some years ago. All sorts of walkways can be mandated, but most people will simply not use them. We all know it, so let’s not burden the developer with extra costs.

This is an auto-oriented site and nothing will change that. Better to keep it back from the road in a formula that people are accustomed to and percieve as safe. Save the zoning trends for discrete, off-road areas like Bishops corner where people can park and then walk around on streets which are lightly-travelled, not state highways. Blue Back works as a pedestrian-friendly area because a state highway does not run through it.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:18:34 +0000

They did talk about the walkability of it. They very much want to put in sidewalks and make it more walkable, but something was mentioned about DOT owning the land and it would have to be approved by them. I’m not sure what the outcome will be.

By: Heather B

Heather B — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:08:48 +0000

Thanks for the report, Amy. It’s interesting to get a preview of one of the smaller-scale developments at this general location, compared to what is likely to come in the near future.

I’m a little disappointed that the proposed site plan doesn’t bring the structure closer to the street edge to aid in making the area more walkable. That is the trend in form-based zoning code these days, and it’s what is making Blue Back Square a relatively pedestrian friendly place (on the sliding scale of walkable places in West Hartford). The site appears to be very auto-oriented. I hope that’s not a sign of things to come at Bishop’s Corner overall, which could use a total reorganization of its approach to parking and how people on foot (or bike, for that matter) are meant to get around.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:23:55 +0000

Wonderful Report!
Although we are just dying to know what Edens and Avant is going to do.
Well Done!