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April 24, 2024

Hartford P&Z denies recommendation for CT Children’s pedestrian bridge

Contributed An architect's drawing shows the proposed pedestrian bridge at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford.
By David Krechevsky

What appeared to be merely a formality just got a little more complicated for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and the city of Hartford.

During its regular meeting conducted virtually Tuesday evening, the Planning & Zoning Commission rejected a request submitted by Mayor Arunan Arulampalam on behalf of the city council to approve a resolution granting air rights for a pedestrian bridge over Washington Street.

The walkway is intended to connect a new, $280 million, eight-story wing of the hospital currently under construction with a planned parking garage to be constructed by LAZ Parking across the street. 

Both projects were previously approved by the commission, but because the bridge would cross over Washington Street the city needs to grant air rights for it, as well as a sidewalk easement for a bus turn-in lane that will require relocating the existing public sidewalk onto property controlled by Hartford Hospital and Connecticut Children’s. 

The motion to approve the resolution granting the air rights and sidewalk easement, though, was rejected by the commission on a 3-2 vote with one abstention. Votes against the resolution were cast by commission Chair Josye Utick and commissioners Chance Carter and David McKinley. Commissioner Aaron Gill abstained, while commissioners Gary Bazzano and Abhishek Mukund voted in favor.

The surprise result followed the strong objection voiced by McKinley, who said he had voted against the previously approved site plan. He described pedestrian bridges as a “relic of the past” and said they are not mentioned anywhere in the city’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).

Howard reminded the commission that it had previously reviewed the merits of the project and approved the site plan, which included the bridge, in July, and that it was now being asked only to make sure that the air rights and easement are consistent with the POCD.

Utick, who generally votes last, nonetheless cited McKinley’s concerns before casting the deciding vote.

The rejection means the commission is not recommending approval of the resolution to grant air rights and the sidewalk easement to the city council. In answer to a question, Assistant Corporation Counsel Richard Vassallo said the city council can still approve the resolution, but it would now require a supermajority, meaning two-thirds of council members must vote in favor of it.

In an emailed statement, Mayor Arulampalam said the bridge is an issue of public safety and "whether we want patients and employees crossing Washington Street or safely walking across a bridge."

The statement added, "Given the challenges in moving large-scale projects forward, it's important that we're not sending mixed signals to partners who are working on meaningful projects. We respect the Planning and Zoning Commission's process, and we'll work closely with our partners to see this project through."

A date for the council to act on the resolution has not yet been determined.

Connecticut Children’s Hospital did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported two commissioners' positions on the proposal. Commissioner Aaron Gill abstained, while Commissioner Chance Carter voted no.

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