I wish to begin this screed with the disclosure that I favor public transportation over any form of enabling the automobile.  These days it goes against conventional wisdom for sustainable cities to favor cars rather than explore and create alternative transportation resources.  Sermon over.

The next concept I want to address if forced is the design and development of parking facilities which contribute to a city’s self-esteem.  In a recent meeting my neighborhood was presented with a design to expand a garage by an architect who termed the bunker a reflection of “modern” architecture.  Precast concrete with concrete panels of a rough surface painted white does not, in my opinion, represent anything modern rather than something inexpensive.  At the meeting I made the point that the garage does little to contribute to the architectural transition to its adjacent neighbors, one of the older, historic neighborhoods developed in the 19th-century.  Landscaping is a relatively inexpensive solution, perhaps covering the new structure with ivy to soften the exterior is one consideration.

Enough about ivy, this blog wants to explore examples of parking structures which are both functional but exciting as architectural elements.  On December 8, 2014 we posted an Urbanland article on our Facebook page about a multi-functional garage being developed in Miami Beach, Florida.  It is about the utilization of space to accommodate several uses which makes the project interesting and financially feasible.  Ground floor retail as a means to soften the exterior and make the structure pedestrian-friendly is a good response to form based zoning.  Rather than a monolith the garage becomes part of the streetscape.

In Columbus, IN, Cummins Diesel, the city’s major employer needed to expand both parking downtown and housing for its exploding workforce.The solution was to build housing facing the street encapsulating a parking core (pictured above).

Further I submit for your evaluation and consideration several neat (in my opinion of course) examples of how parking structures have been incorporated in a downtown streetscape or on a campus. Some are expensive, some relatively inexpensive however all show a desire to standout as architecture and not as cast concrete monoliths.  It is all about what a city thinks of itself and therefore public opinion demands more of projects filling open spaces.

Okay, your turn to chuck the concrete at me and respond. Feel free to join the conversation below or comment on Facebook.

Happy and prosperous New Year!

In November the State Historic Review Commission approved the nomination of the Parkville National Historic District.  Within the preservation community of Hartford this is greeted with great enthusiasm.

For the property owners – covering roughly 50% of the Parkville neighborhood –  establishing an historic district represents several things.  To begin with the property owners recognize the significant history of this largely manufacturing area of Hartford.  It cherishes the origins and impact which manufacturing had on the growth of the City.  In fact the Parkville Metropolitan Development Plan which was created in 1999 spoke to a desire to preserve the character of Parkville from which it grew.

Second the historic district designation represents a tool by which property owners and residents can protect their neighborhoods from unwanted or inappropriate development.  The Hartford Historic Commission will now hear petitions for variances to the historic fabric of the community.  Owners will have an opportunity to use a public forum to voice opposition to development deemed unwanted.

Third and final the historic designation now creates the possibility of utilizing State Historic Tax Credits, a unique and powerful financial tool for property owners who wish to make renovations to their properties whether interior or exterior.  The Preservation Alliance will shortly offer training sessions on how to consider these tax credits.

And finally to the numbers:

6 =  National Historic Landmarks
Coltsville Industrial District
Henry Barnard House
Old State House
State Capitol Building
Harriet Beecher Stowe House
Mark Twain House

4,872 = Properties located on Local, State and/or National Historic Registers

52= Local, State and National Districts

450 = Properties in nominated Parkville Historic District

1 = National Park

(a case for Form-Based Zoning)

This has been a remarkable week due to two proposed developments to be located in seriously high-profile locations.  McDonald’s is in pursuit of building a new restaurant along Farmington Avenue, next door to the existing Burger King, in the West End. The owners of the gas station located on the corner of Broad Street and Capital Avenue are seeking a variance and historic district approval to replace the current gas station with a new facility (read proposal here).

My reaction is not one of surprise but who is to protect the comprehensive design guidelines made part of cities everywhere with aspirations to becoming livable, sustainable and attractive places where people live, work and visit?  My friends are tired of listening to a treatise which asks why we in Hartford talk about the rich historic fabric of the city yet ignore the potential of such amazing assets when it comes to self-interest.  Attend one Hartford Historic Commission hearing and listen to petitioners do their best to circumvent or “game” the City’s preservation guidelines.

Climbing off my soap box I offer some really good news containing an exceptionally exciting tool with which Hartford can control, plan and implement development to contribute to our historic heritage:  Form-Based Code .  This effort to modernize building codes around the country is in fact being studied and will be presented to the City in 2015. It is a powerful preservation tool.  Basically local communities would determine how they want their neighborhood to look and how they want to encourage smart growth.  The gas station might be required to give better consideration to its location as a site which is part of the Capitol Campus.  The store could be built to the sidewalk, contributing to a streetscape such as that to the west along Capitol Avenue.  The pumps would be repositioned behind the store making them less obtrusive.  The community would guide how it wants to see growth and development become a movement to improve the neighborhood.

Form-based code was introduced to Hartford through a series of community meetings held last spring and summer.  Community input was solicited during public forum.  From those focus groups the consultants have begun to organize zoning code changes informed by national best practice.  An Advisory Committee has been given the task of working with the Development Department to make sure that as many constituents as possible are included in the discussion.  I happen to be one of the members of that committee and am impressed at both the education involved and the thoughtfulness and process of deliberations in creating a new development tool for Hartford.  A draft document will be published by the third quarter of 2015.  Please take the time to learn about and support this effort to revamp our zoning code. A unique opportunity to help preserve and protect our historic city which we all care about so deeply is what Form-Based Code proposes.

The Preservation Alliance is firmly opposed to mindless and inappropriate development of the two sites mentioned.  We ask that you join the West End Civic Association, Frog Hollow NRZ and us in demanding better for Hartford.  We always welcome your comments on this so please do so.

Barney Building

Ken Gosselin’s recent Hartford Courant article on the real estate activities of Hartford Hospital (Park At Hartford Hospital To Showcase Elements of Demolished Buildings) brings a sharp focus to an important debate of historic preservation versus the needs of a corporate/community partner.  The controversy surrounds the Hospital’s desire to demolish three historic buildings along Jefferson Street.  Two of the three buildings are designated to be in an historic district.  A discussion regarding condition of the buildings can be never ending and largely dependent on the engineer hired to opine on soundness.  The Hospital is in need of expanding facilities to compete as a major urban hospital, one which serves the Hartford community well and is a major employer. To be sure we want no significant historic properties demolished.

138 Jefferson

After meeting with the Hospital team on the merits of replacing these two former residences with a contextual clinic to expand community services seem okay.  This does not represent a blank check to level an entire district for the Hospital’s purpose.  As stated the Hospital is aware and sensitive to the historic fabric in which it is located.  In part and based on its statement that Hartford Hospital wishes to be an engaged community citizen a decision to move forward was a pragmatic one.  Two caveats were made part of the discussion: 1. That deconstruction be considered rather than demolition and 2. That HPA be consulted with any further plans to fiddle with any other properties on the Hospital’s campus.  In the case of the Barney Building, not designated as an historic structure, many and varied additions had been made to the building over the decades.  Yes, we are sorry to learn that the core building is to be eliminated to make way for growth however reuse of iconic elements is planned.

In sum our mission at HPA to “Revitalize, Connect, Collaborate” will take on many meanings as we engage in practical methods of historic preservation in Hartford.  A most important guiding principle is that historic preservation must contribute to community economic vitality.  This requires us to weigh realities and make reasonable decisions.  Yet, and most important, is our ability to make historic preservation understood as a means to community development and not simply an end.  Too often we lose the preservation argument as we are cast as people who say no.

Walking the Walking on an HPA led tour during Envisionfest

Last week I wrote about “Nightfall” and how great an event it becomes for Hartford as it draws people to witness something truly creative.  Yet the evening did not end there as often happens when bumping into friends downtown.  The decision was to head to Vito’s By The Park, my favorite watering hole which happens to offer oysters, in this case Blue Points!  We were joined by a woman whom I didn’t know, a friend of friends.  The conversation immediately focused on things Hartford (yes, the ball park was mentioned) and bicycle riding.  What became amazing was how articulate and engaged with and most knowledgeable about all the city challenges, issues and opportunities we natter on about all the time (can you say Dwellers of Downtown on Facebook……….?). I say amazing because almost immediately upon meeting I learned that she does not live in the City!  Anyway, a few more drinks, oysters and funny stories led me to understand that this woman, Bonnie Malley, holds leadership positions in the iQuilt Plan and MetroHartford Alliance and I am certain that these are only two of many organizations to which she dedicates time and talent.  Bonnie has been intimately involved and focused on the many things which we dwellers wrestle with all the time.   She spends much of her voluntary time working on and with the challenges of making Hartford a great town and a better place to live.

Why I write about Bonnie is her commitment to showing up. Boards with missions to do things in Hartford are populated but don’t extend their reach beyond governance.  This does not condemn their contribution at all.  But what struck me as so wonderful was that Bonnie sat on the grass, still damp with the day’s rain, and participated in a magical show we want more people to see.  Yet in further conversation it became so apparent the she spends much of her free time working on behalf of the City.  She does not just talk the talk as so many people do about Hartford but actually does things.  She sees a means to improve the Capitol Region by strengthening the core city and lends her considerable talents at making them happen. I truly appreciate the contribution and would like to encourage more dedication.  Happy to learn of others so if you have people to salute please, please do so.

Oh yeah, there are those of us who hope to get Bonnie to bike the walk soon………..