East Hartford’s downtown received a score of 59% out of 100 possible points, in a recent assessment by the Connecticut Main Street Center.
That places the town center firmly in the category of “Needs Improvement,” in the downtown revitalization nonprofit’s four-category scoring system. A lower score might have earned it the “Attention Needed” designation; higher scores would have put it in the “Satisfactory” or “High Performing” category.
Mayor Connor Martin’s administration engaged the Connecticut Main Street Center to contribute expertise and advice to the town’s downtown revitalization efforts, which have been underway with several different projects and initiatives.
The town, for example, recently took over a downtown flophouse that was the source of numerous police and emergency calls and has recruited a developer to turn it into modern apartments. The administration is also advancing plans to turn a downtown side-street into a pedestrian-only arts, entertainment and retail hub, akin to the Pratt Street retail district in neighboring Hartford. Town officials are also preparing to implement traffic-calming measures on downtown Main Street.
The Connecticut Main Street Center report – which will be discussed at a Town Council meeting Tuesday night – scored East Hartford’s downtown in four areas: economic vitality (47%), design (67%), organization (58%) and promotion (69%).
The report – prepared by Carl Rosa, the nonprofit’s director of field services – notes the absence of a comprehensive management plan for the downtown, while also lauding town officials’ receptiveness to business inquiries and their maintenance of sidewalks and landscaping. Promotion of public art and events are also strengths noted in the report.
As for weaknesses, the report notes the town needs to gather information on building stock, commercial spaces, businesses, resident demographics, parking and the workforce.
The report advises several initiatives over the coming year, including gathering that information. It recommends a survey of worker, resident and visitor sentiment concerning existing conditions and desired changes. The report recommends the creation of a wish list of desired businesses, and a plan to track data including property transactions, real estate improvements, jobs numbers, new and expiring businesses, as well as attendance at events.
The report also recommends an ongoing formal management program, which could involve hiring someone to organize downtown revitalization efforts.
