2 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Greater Hartford Guide For New Residents & Visitors WINTER/SPRING 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5-8 Metro Hartford Alliance 7 Introduction 8 Connecticut Convention and Sports Bureau 9-11 Nightlife/Events 10 Yard Goats 2019 Season Schedule 13 Dining in Greater Hartford 15 New Resident 16 New Homes in Hartford 17 Apartment Options 19 Recreation 21-24Coltsville Progress Report 25 Trinity College 27 United bank Locates in Downtown 28-29Downtown Hartford Map 30-31Transportation 33 Hartford Parks 34 Breweries and Distillers Map 35 Connecticut Public 37 Hartford History 38-40Hartford Attractions 41-43Town Profile: Wethersfield 45 Town Profile: Bloomfield Editorial Board Terryl Mitchel Smith 46 Town Profiles: East Hartford & Greater Hartford Guide Editor in Chief, Director of Newington is published by Marketing & PR, CRDA 47 Town Profile: West Hartford Hartford Publications Brian Boyer 563 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114 Chief Marketing Officer, Metro Hartford Alliance 48 Windsor & 169 Towns Book Tel: (860) 296-6128 Fax: (866) 875-3785 49 Higher Education e-mail: [email protected] Michele Hughs Co-Publishers Director of Sales, 50 Capital Community College Conn. Convention Center Mike McGarry & Jon Harden 52-53Greater Hartford Accomodations The publisher does not assume responsibility for errors, Nicole E. Hughey omissions and changes in advertising or editorial material. Assistant Vice President 54 Real Bodies Advertising rates are available upon request. Entire con- Office of Diversity & Inclusion tents are copyrighted and no portion may be reproduced Travelers Company 55 XL Center & Convention Center in whole or in part by any means without specific written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Laurie Pringle Waddell Senior Property Manager, Copyright 2019 Trio Properties LLC To purchase additional copies of the Greater Hartford Guide, call 860-296-6128 or email [email protected]. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3 4 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• HartfordNew condos and apartments filled with pro- Has It… to do business,” says Griggs. “We must play to fessionals and retirees alike enjoying the urban our strengths, highlight our assets, invest in culture, home runs hit at Dunkin’ Donuts transportation and other development proj- Park, cranes dotting the skyline symbolizing ects, and celebrate the successes of the region.” development projects, entrepreneurs and inno- The proximity to Boston and New York, vators sharing ideas and creating unique eco- two centers of commerce, increase the value of nomic ventures, bastions of higher education, Hartford’s ideal location to conduct business, joggers and walkers enjoying Bushnell Park according to Griggs. But he is quick to point and the riverfront, visitors from throughout out that the importance of these two larger Connecticut arriving via the new Hartford markets’ close proximity to Hartford is not to Rail Line to experience the capital city, and Griggs and his family, Hartford is that place. fill any gaps of what Hartford does not offer, the list goes on. Manufacturing that is innovative and cut- but quite the contrary. Depending on your perspective the “It” can ting-edge in technology, and an aerospace “It’s like being in the middle seat on an air- be many things, but for the business commu- industry that can be felt not only locally but plane. Hartford has been that middle seat nity, the “It” means an educated workforce, around the globe, are also major contributors between Boston and New York, but it’s our retention and recruitment of people and busi- to Hartford’s economic growth,” says Griggs, time to get our elbows out and claim the arm nesses, and a superior quality of life. who added that startups and a world-class rest so these markets and others realize all that ‘‘Commitment and health care sector also contribute. “It’s also we have to offer: top businesses, sports and Collaboration” important that we have a strong urban core recreation, arts and culture, tourism and hospi- that supports the region. We have more people tality, improved transportation systems includ- When David Griggs decided to leave his job living downtown, a minor league ballpark ing Bradley International Airport and the new at the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) voted best in the country, eclectic restaurants, Hartford Rail Line, vibrant cities, top colleges Regional Economic Development top hotels, parks and recreation and arts and and universities,” says Griggs. “We’ll continue Partnership to become President and CEO of culture. I am seeing more and more people in maximizing our close proximity to Boston and the MetroHartford Alliance, which aims to Hartford after 5 p.m.” New York to increase business opportunities become a top-performing economic develop- Griggs said that when he arrived in Hartford ment partnership that executes on an aggres- to lead the Alliance, he observed that the city “Hartford should be a global sive and innovative strategy for growing the and region continue to have a history of chal- brand and reflect the fact that we Greater Hartford regional economy, it was lenges most other metropolitan areas have are the ‘Insurance Capital of the both a professional and personal decision. Not faced: budget deficits, infrastructure issues and World.’” only were he and his wife considering a par- rising tax rates. But he sees these as bumps ticular quality of life for their children such as rather than impediments, and challenges those on a national and global level.” top-notch schools, recreation and diversity, but who live and work here to partner for a better Griggs has many goals for Hartford he Griggs also realized he must choose a city and city. believes are attainable in the short and long region with the assets in place to grow the “I think one of the reasons Hartford is seeing term, and that the more the story is told, the local economy through job creation and growth today is because we have a dedicated- larger the opportunity to recognize the retention while becoming a global market community that is willing to collaborate and changes taking place here and celebrating the where companies want to do business. For ensure we remain an economically viable place ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5 successes. With continued collaboration and resources to build on our momentum,” says partnerships while marketing Hartford’s assets, Steinman. “Let’s keep rents reasonable and Griggs believes a more sustainable financial continue to make Hartford a place where peo- future for all businesses and residents in ple want to live and do business. If we get out Hartford is on the horizon. of our comfort zone and play to our strengths, we can accomplish anything.” “We have all the assets in place to make Hartford one of the ‘‘Everything for the most economically-viable mar- Young Professional” kets in the country,” says Griggs. She adds that while she did not think she “Economic development is a team sport and would end up in the printing industry, she is I look forward to telling our story not only thrilled to utilize her business degree to con- locally, but with partners on a national and tribute to Hartford’s economic growth. “There global level to ensure long-term economic is a real sense of entrepreneurship here and I growth for generations.” see more and more people looking to locate into the city, which is good for the business ‘Real Sense of community and the city’s residents.” Community’ In addition to Hartford’s business-friendly When Kel Thomas wakes up on a cold, Amy Steinman, President of Hartford environment, the city is also seeing a renais- snowy February morning in Hartford and looks Minuteman Press, loves the sight of dog own- sance of sorts that offers something for every- out his window high atop 777 Main Street, he ers walking their canine friends around the one, notes Steinman. Arts venues like Hartford doesn’t long for the palm trees and beaches he downtown area of the Capital City. It’s not Stage, Real Art Ways, the Bushnell, left behind in Florida, his home state. He is a only that Steinman enjoys the furry city TheaterWorks and the Wadsworth Atheneum West Point graduate so a little ice and snow dwellers, it’s what the dogs represent on a big- add to the city’s arts and cultural assets, says doesn’t phase him. His first thought is, Steinman, while grabbing a hot dog and beer ger scale. “Thank goodness I can walk to “When I see someone walking their dog in at a Hartford Yard Goats game creates a fami- Hartford, it means most likely they live right ly-friendly atmosphere at Dunkin’ Donuts work.” So goes life as a resident downtown, and I have seen that more recently Park, voted “Best Double-A Ballpark in of downtown Hartford: conven- than I ever have before,” says Steinman. America” from Ballpark Digest two years in a ience, walkability, culture and job row. “People are choosing to live here, and it is cre- opportunities. ating a vibrancy Hartford has lacked for years. “Hartford is a very walkable city and we see That’s good for business.” more foot traffic after five o’clock even when Thomas was a logistics officer in the U.S. there is not an event at the XL Center or a Army, so he knows a lot about efficiency and Yard Goats baseball game. There is more ener- making the most of his time. The walk from gy downtown than I have ever seen before,” his apartment to his office at Ford & Paulekas, says Steinman. “Come into Hartford after where he is an associate attorney representing hours and you will see the diversity of this business clients, entrepreneurs, and lending community and all that is has to offer.” institutions in commercial lending deals, real “Working in Hartford, there is a estate acquisitions, contract disputes, and civil litigation, is less than 10 minutes and much real sense of community among more attractive then his former commute from the businesses downtown and Enfield, a suburb about 20 minutes away via Steinman would know.