Downtown North Groundbreaking Set for Next Week

The city of Hartford has reached a final deal on the Downtown North development, which will include a supermarket, housing, retail, restaurants, a brewery and a minor league baseball stadium designed with the Rock Cats in mind.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The mayor's office said Tuesday that the agreement includes 30 percent revenue sharing for all non-baseball stadium events, a project labor agreement and a minor league baseball team guaranteed for the lease term.

“We appreciate everyone’s hard work in getting this done," said Rock Cats owner Josh Solomon, in a statement. “The redevelopment of Downtown North and a new minor league baseball stadium in Hartford will soon be a reality. We look forward to providing affordable, family entertainment during baseball season and year round activities for the entire Hartford community and the region.”

Hiring preference will be given to Hartford residents and businesses owned by minorities and women, according to the mayor's office. The development is expected to create 1,800 jobs during construction and more than 1,000 permanent positions.

“A new Downtown North mixed-use neighborhood is even closer now to becoming a reality,” Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said in a statement. “The pedestrian-friendly development will grow the downtown area with new entertainment venues, restaurants, residential spaces and businesses. This means more jobs and opportunities for our Capital City. I look forward to seeing vibrancy in an area that has been blighted for too long and to seeing the vitality and economic growth it will bring to the City of Hartford.”

The newly created Hartford Stadium Authority will help finance the development and is projected to save the city at least $10 million in construction costs.

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