As the tiny company known in 1979 as the Entertainment Sports Programming Network slowly grew into the behemoth that is known today simply as ESPN, its hometown of Bristol has grown with it. But along that journey, the city has developed into a tale of two cities.
Along Route 229, heading toward the Southington border, there is ESPN’s campuses and the obvious signs of commercial buildup along the route, including the new Southeast Bristol Business Park.
But downtown, it’s a different story. Abandoned storefronts, buildings in need of obvious repair, and a vacant 17-acre parcel of land that used to house the Bristol Centre Mall dot the downtown landscape. And it’s that 17 acres that the city hopes will lead its downtown revitalization.
On one hand, Bristol is expanding its base of businesses through two industrial parks along Route 229, not to mention the various other retail and commercial businesses that seem to keep popping up along the route. According to Jonathan Rosenthal, executive director of the Bristol Development Authority, the city is looking for technology-related companies as well as complementary businesses to ESPN fill the “Southeast Corridor.”
But even as businesses such as Precision Threaded Products and CMI Specialty Products have relocated to Bristol in recent years, the questions remain about the downtown area. The city has contracted with Renaissance Downtowns to develop a plan to inject new life into the heart of Bristol. While the plan is still in its formulation stages, it calls for the development of Depot Square as the focal point.
“Part of the consideration for the revitalization of downtown is the housing aspect,” said Bristol Mayor Art Ward. A key component of the plan, which will be phased in over a number of years, is developing a “pedestrian-friendly” development that includes both residential and commercial opportunities. “The ultimate goal is to have something for everyone to lure the young professionals,” Ward said.
The business community is in accord.
“I’m pleased their attempting to do something,” said Cindy Lou Burgess, co-owner of Bristol Guitar on Riverside Avenue downtown. “They should look at Collinsville; they should look at Southington; and see what they did to draw people downtown.”
And, ironically enough, it’s the continued expansion of ESPN that could play a key role in the revitalization of downtown. Michael Nicastro, president and CEO of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, believes ESPN’s expansion, which has seen it triple its square footage in the city in the past 10 years, is actually positive for downtown redevelopment.
“They’re going north (with their expansion),” he said. “As ESPN’s growth has moved more into the city, that is drawing more elements back into the city center, and, with the Route 72 expansion being completed, that creates ways to get people into the downtown.”
Estimates vary on the number of ESPN employees that actually live in Bristol, but the company’s continued expansion as well as the lure of new business to the industrial parks through tax abatement programs and city grants continues to increase business opportunities. By extension, that means potential residents that the city hopes will fill up housing downtown.
“We know that a substantial number of employees live here and we think that over time, if we can offer some better (housing) downtown and better transportation linkages downtown, (more employees will choose to live in Bristol),” Rosenthal said.
There is an ongoing rail study to determine if an existing line can be put back into service, connecting downtown Bristol to Waterbury and Bridgeport, and possibly Berlin and New Haven.
Renaissance Downtowns’ overall plan calls for “smart growth and green building design utilizing a comprehensive and holistic approach” based on social, economic, and environmental needs.
Downtown business owners have a number of concerns regarding the revitalization, including parking issues, but most believe the city needs to do something.
“I think Bristol (needs) to develop this big piece of property; it’s good for Bristol and it’s good for business,” said John Spaniodis, owner of Center Pizza & Restaurant.
And that’s exactly what the mayor and development experts hope will happen.
