In his inaugural state of Hartford address Monday night, Mayor Pedro Segarra outlined nine cornerstone development initiatives among the 60 long-range projects the city is pursuing to enhance its neighborhoods.
Segarra said he has shared details of the nine with Gov. Dannel Malloy and provided a thumbnail-sketch of each:
1.    Swift Factory: Through strong partnerships, a vacant factory will be turned into a vibrant multipurpose facility and rejuvenate a North End neighborhood;
2.    Coltsville: Continue to work with the Congressional delegation to have this area designated as a national park and securing federal and/or state funding for façade improvements;
3.    XL Center: The current management contract runs out in 2013, at which point the City will assume responsibility of this facility. The Mayor and his administration are in the process of laying the groundwork to make this a more vibrant and desirable venue for sports and entertainment events;
4.    iQuilt: This innovative initiative crafted by The Bushnell, The Greater Hartford Arts Council, and the city intends to knit together our wonderful social and cultural centers and enhance pedestrian routes to promote economic growth and redevelopment in the Capitol district;
5.    101 Pearl Street: Segarra and city officials are actively pursuing creative options that would benefit the Downtown area as well as neighboring tenants;
6.    Albany Avenue/Route 44: A state highway and main artery in the North End, working in conjunction with MDC to aggressively pursue funding for streetscape that would prove critical to community vibrancy;
7.    Capitol Avenue: Through the Greening of America’s Capitals grant received from EPA, we are poised to work with appropriate state officials to transform areas surrounding the State Capitol to add green space, more appealing sightlines, and increased sustainability;
8.    New Britain to Hartford Busway: This project will improve travel to and from the city, create about 4,000 jobs, and represent the state’s first rapid-transit system. While the City is still firm in its position to not disrupt operations at Aetna and The Hartford, this project would revitalize Asylum Hill neighborhood and reduce traffic on I-84 and I-91;
9.    Lyric Theatre: A historic theatre in the Frog Hollow neighborhood that the Mayor has targeted for restoration and the future home of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.
Other long-range projects, the mayor says, include the Hartford Viaduct and high-speed rail.
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