SoDo NRZ Minutes June 25, 2014 – Hartford Public Library lower level classroom Attendance: Board Members: J. Palerma, R. Zaleski, M. Gottesdiener, P. Abrams, F. Gordon-‐Quiroga, C. Lowell, C. Ortiz, C. Sicbaldi, M. Moriarty, A. Ambrose Guests: T. Dukes, F. Senter, S. Parisky, F. Parisky, G. Kirkutis, K. Marcroft, M. Freed, S. Hopgood Police Report: Overall crime has decreased 13.1% in the central district. 14 car breaks which is low for the summer; Honda Accord were targets Riverfest is July 12, also that weekend is the Dave Matthews Band Comic-‐Con Officers ask for patience with the crowds and the events Featured Speaker: Suzanne Hopgood, CRDA CRDA is a quasi state agency, successor to CCEDA and has specific responsibilities SoDo is the only NRZ that falls entirely in the district; group manages Rentschler Field, Convention Center, CT Open (tennis tournament), XL Center, and oversees 6233 parking spaces Properties: XL Center: Fan club level is being added and there is an RFP out; there are some logistical problems with the arena-‐ it is poured concrete. In order for the remodeling to occur, the Church St Garage will be purchased because there is no other direction changes can occur. The goal is to keep the arena open during the renovations (like what happened with MSG in NYC). Time frame is plan will be presented by Jan 2015 and they anticipate project taking 3 years Front St.: 3 tenants open; housing is under construction and UCONN move still going forward CRDA also acts as a facilitator. Group doesn’t just work in Hartford; has the authority to go into other communities when those communities do not have the resources to achieve their goals. Also working on the state office building renovation and office relocation. $300M Construction going on Other goings on: -‐ -‐
No one has approached them about the Goodwin Hotel space Northland owns the empty store fronts on Asylum and they make more $ keeping them empty
Mayor Segarra: Stressed the importance of local initiatives because few can’t rely on the state for everything. Optimistic about the stadium; want it to be a 365 day/ year destination Other updates: graduation rates are going up; expanding Downtown North will expand the tax base Voting Everyone received a ballot. Upon tabulating the results, all board members up for election were elected. Committee Updates Strategic-‐ Buckingham Square Update; park is looking great Communications: newsletter has gotten rave reviews Meeting adjourned. Next meeting: September