{"id":248,"date":"2008-02-04T23:01:48","date_gmt":"2008-02-05T03:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.amybergquist.com\/blog\/2008\/02\/04\/blue-back-part-ii-redeveloping-bishops-corner\/"},"modified":"2008-02-04T23:01:48","modified_gmt":"2008-02-05T03:01:48","slug":"blue-back-part-ii-redeveloping-bishops-corner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.amybergquist.com\/blog\/2008\/02\/04\/blue-back-part-ii-redeveloping-bishops-corner\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Back Part II? Redeveloping Bishops Corner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just what is going on in the West Hartford neighborhood of Bishops Corner?<\/a><\/strong> First, Barnes and Noble closed and opened a new chapter at Blue Back Square.<\/a><\/strong> Then, Petco (Supplies & Fish) ran away. Finally, the Macaroni Grill said ciao after their lease wasn’t renewed. You don’t need to have a PhD in development to surmise that someone has plans for the area. Why else would you turn away a productive, paying tenant when you already had 2 vacant stores of substantial square footage? The landlord is still paying taxes on those properties, even as they sit vacant…<\/p>\n

So, it was really no surprise when the Courant reported this morning that the developer, Edens & Avant<\/a><\/strong>, is expected to unveil major redevelopment plans<\/a><\/strong> as early as this spring. Apparently the firm is in preliminary talks with town officials and the project is leaning towards a walkable town center feel, with 1 or 2 large tenants, and the remainder of space being filled with smaller shops. Rumor has it that the project could cost as much as $100 million. Sounds kind of like Blue Back Square, eh?<\/p>\n

Here are some thoughts from my end…<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Kudos to Edens & Avant for working with town officials on the plan. I’m sure the town has a whole dumpster of “lessons learned” from the Blue Back development, so collaborating early will probably save both sides some work and contenscious discussions later on.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> How will this development complement what has already been built at Blue Back Square? How much business will it cannibalize? What about West Farms and Elmwood?<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> Will this new development further hinder downtown Hartford’s efforts to attract buyers and renters, revitalizing housing and retail in the city center?<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> People in West Hartford are already rumbling about a difficult budget season<\/a><\/strong>. Will another substantial retail development help offset the tax burden on home owners in town?<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> And the question on everyone’s mind…who is going to pay for this? Will the town need to issue more bonds?<\/p>\n

Hopefully when the plans are unveiled this spring, it will be an aesthetically pleasing, walkable development with stores that cater to a variety of income levels. We’ll keep a close eye on this one…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just what is going on in the West Hartford neighborhood of Bishops Corner? First, Barnes and Noble closed and opened a new chapter at Blue Back Square. Then, Petco (Supplies & Fish) ran away. Finally, the Macaroni Grill said ciao after their lease wasn’t renewed. You don’t need to have a PhD in development to surmise that someone has plans for the area. Why else would you turn away a productive, paying tenant when you<\/p>\n

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