:From his third floor office at City Hall, Mayor Art Ward can watch his favorite show – the demolition of the downtown mall.
The view, said Ward, is of the "rejuvenation of our downtown" and "an economic upturn for the community."
Ward said he monitors the progress of the wrecking crews from his office window.
"I can sit right here at my desk. I can look out and I can see the advancement of the demolition," said Ward.
As of midday Monday, the building was about halfway down.
"They're probably a couple days ahead of time," said Ward. "It'll be done by the end of the month. Hopefully, it'll be cleaned up immediately thereafter."
The mayor said he is anticipating the next phase to follow – seeing something new sprout up.
"That'll be the greatest part," said Ward.
Bristol Purchasing Agent Roger Rousseau said the work is on track for the mall to be demolished by the end of March. The site will be cleared after that, he said.
"Things are still progressing," said Rousseau.
According to Rousseau, the crews are having a problem with the hydraulic arm of one of the excavators, but he said it shouldn't delay the demolition at all.
It appears the country is headed for – or already in – a recession, and Ward said the economy could impact the downtown project.
"It is hard to ignore it," said Ward.
But the mayor said based on the inquiries that are coming to the city, he thinks the interest in developing the property is still strong.
It's even possible that a recession could work in Bristol's favor as far as the mall property goes, Ward said.
Developers may be looking for a project to get involved in, said Ward, if their normal business is slowed.
Rousseau said a request for a proposal was sent out to about 30 potential development firms by the Bristol Downtown Development Corp., the non-profit agency that is charged with overseeing the development of the 17-acre, city-owned mall property.
Rousseau said he has no way of knowing how many of them will respond with a formal proposal, but that a site walk for prospective developers will be held at the end of this month.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
23 comments:
Hello Mr. Mayor ;
It seems to be a waste of time and postage . Everyone knows the plan has already been set in stone . Give those poor folks a break . Don't give out false hope of actually being considered as an alternative to your 'undercover' arrangements .
Yes, Artie can sit back (as he usually does) and enjoy the efforts of Couture and Stortz.
When will he actually do something??
...Yes, Artie can enjoy the efforts of Couture and Stortz. You see, that's the way it works. One mayor starts a project and passes the torch onto the next, and the next...It isn't all about who gets the credit. Mayor Ward is doing a great job. You people really need to get over it...
This article was a waste of space. How about some hard news?
The mayor is not exactly photogenic. I would advise him to avoid these type of photo ops.
Give Ward a break!
He's working hard on not taking on any hard issue! He has however made City Hall much friendlier!
He's too busy taking care of his union buddys!
It's a good thing his top campaign person is in the negotiations for the union!!
Go get them Ward. Moving Bristol Back Ward!
Ward wouldn't know what to do if it had not been for Stortz and the BDDC. He can look out a window...that's about it. As an earlier poster said..DO SOMETHING WARD...what have you accomplished in your first 100 days?...a BIG FAT NOTHING..except you got caught cheating on you filings, you have alienated your council and your party and the west end school committee has been shown nothing from you. We are out of control. Oh yeah your union boys are going down...thats a good thing!
...2:51: Your skewed, warped view of reality and your open anger and hostility are actually more than just a little scary. The only thing that is "out of control" around here seems to be you...
Bristol is doing just fine and... that's a good thing!
Hope he takes pictures, because he won't be around to see it fully developed.
3:13...you are just too blind to see or not to able to comprehend what you read. We have a city council and mayor that suck up to the unions(wait til you hear what they are negotiating for) we have more children requiring free breakfast and lunch, our taxes are out of control and we need fire services in the southwest, new schools and a plan for downtown. Most will happen...but not because of good ole boy wardo.
...Sorry 7:12, but I think you're the one who's blind (or maybe your head is stuck somewhere). Out of control taxes and children living below the poverty level are hardly new problems for most of the State of Connecticut. Trying to pin the blame on the new mayor for them is laughable.
We've always needed fire services in the SW, new schools and a plan for downtown, and I think you're right that most will happen, and some of it will happen BECAUSE of "good ole boy wardo."
And we have a GREAT view of Ward and his buddies coming/going down!
...11:52, the only thing that seems to be going down around here is the IQ of certain bloggers...
Looks like Ward is getting a little paunchy.
Is it paunchy or punchy?
...Well 7:35, the mayor maybe be a little paunchy, but he can lose weight. Unfortunately for you...you can't fix stupid.
OOOHHH, sound like Artie is getting defensive again.
...Sorry to disappoint you 11:12, but I'm just an average citizen who's frankly a little embarrassed by the pointless, stupid comments made by my fellow citizens. Come on now, "the mayor is getting a little paunchy" ???... what a totally assinine, juvenile remark. Really 11:12 - get a life.
Gee, Arties spin team has to be working overtime.
Guess it is OK to mention Colapietros hairpice, or Zoppo biting her nails, or Minors beard, but Wards belly is out of bounds?
Suggest you look at the picture again!!!
...9:22, Stupid comments regarding Colapietro's hair, Zoppo's nails, Minor's beard and Ward's belly are all exactly that - STUPID COMMENTS made by equally STUPID PEOPLE. They should ALL be "out of bounds."
I suggest 9:22 that instead of looking at the picture, you look in the mirror...
I did and I do not have a paunch.
New Caption:
Artie don't jump...you'll beat Ellen again!
Oh No!
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