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February 17, 2023

CRDA board OKs $100K for feasibility studies of Bushnell South development proposal in Hartford

CRDA Here's what the Bushnell South area currently looks like. It's dominated by a sea of parking lots.
By Michael Puffer

The Capital Region Development Authority will spend at least $100,000 helping a developer determine if its proposed $129.6 million housing and retail development in Hartford is feasible.

In a decision announced in September, a city panel picked The Michaels Organization to pursue its vision for a major mixed-use development on a 2.8-acre parking lot south of Bushnell Park.

The design concept Michaels submitted included 360 multifamily units and 2,500 square feet of retail space, estimated to cost $129.6 million. That concept is not set in stone, but rather was used as an indicator of the sort of project Michaels believed might fit the setting. At the time of its selection, the city and developer agreed to work together to vet the development potential of the site before further commitments are made.

Meeting Thursday, the CRDA board agreed unanimously to allow the agency to tap $100,000 for feasibility studies of this piece of the larger “Bushnell South” project. CRDA Executive Director Michael Freimuth, speaking after the meeting, said Michaels will perform some elements of the feasibility investigation and the CRDA will perform others.

These tasks will include checking the capacity of storm drains servicing the area; the ability to extend needed power and water utilities; geotechnical analysis; a study of possible environmental contaminants; and other elements that could impact the development potential of the site, as well as costs.

Freimuth expects answers sometime in the spring or mid-summer.

“We will have enough to make a decision to go or not go,” Freimuth said.

Even if The Michaels Organization doesn’t ultimately proceed, the CRDA studies could be used to help guide future development proposals for the site, Freimuth noted. In that scenario, it is also possible the CRDA could buy the results of the Michaels’ vetting studies for a fuller picture of conditions, Freimuth said. 
 

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