The uncertain fate of MIRA, the region’s trash-to-energy facility, has some wondering whether it should be run as a utility.
Tom Condon
Tom writes about urban and regional issues for CT Mirror, including planning, transportation, land use, development and historic preservation. These were among his areas of interest in a 45-year career as a reporter, columnist and editorial writer for The Hartford Courant. Tom has won dozens of journalism and civic awards, and was elected to the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2016. He is a native of New London, a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and the University of Connecticut School of Law, and is a Vietnam veteran.
Posted inTransportation
Would Hartford gain from a Boston train? Advocates are all aboard
Train service from New Haven to Boston via Hartford, Springfield and Worcester could have a “transformative effect” on the economy.
Posted inEconomic Development
Getting back to the river: A tale of two Connecticut cities
One postwar planning mistake was situating highways so they blocked cities from their waterfronts, as happened in Hartford and Middletown.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Canton board rejects Route 44 development plan
The wooded traprock ridge that greets westbound motorists entering Canton is saved, for the moment.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Canton controversy highlights statewide land use challenges
For many Canton residents, the gateway to town is a wooded ridge over Route 44. But it is now jeopardized.
Posted inEconomic Development
Boston Fed and CT community foundations fight for inclusive recovery
Government and nonprofit entities are stepping up with COVID relief and recovery, including the Boston Fed and CT’s community foundations.
Posted inPolitics
Three measures seek to promote regional sharing, cost savings
People believe the property tax burden can be significantly reduced by sharing services on a regional basis.
Posted inEconomic Development
There’s a new plan for realigning Hartford’s highways. Is the third time the charm?
The plan would remove the I-84/I-91 interchange downtown and cap I-91 with a new road, expanding river access.
Posted inTransportation
It has been slow to arrive, but high speed rail could be coming
A high-speed rail concept has been germinating, one that would go inland through Connecticut instead of along the shoreline.
Posted inNews
Best of 2020: Minority businesses: Wounded by COVID, but key to inclusive revival
This story was originally published on December 7, 2020. Tia Woods had been the coordinator of a dance program. It closed but left her with space in East Hartford. She had a business idea: Woods, who is Black, knew many minority artisans needed space to show and sell their products. So in February 2019, she […]
Posted inJustice
Should social workers ride with police? This Connecticut woman does
Kathy Evans of West Hartford now works with the Denver police as a clinical social worker. She rides with police and responds to calls where often her expertise is more valuable than the traditional tools of a police officer. Each workday morning at 6 a.m., Katharine “Kathy” Evans turns out for roll call at the […]
Posted inCities & Towns, Economic Development
Can opportunity zones revive struggling neighborhoods?
The federal tax incentive draws private investment to distressed neighborhoods, but there are problems with the program.
Posted inEconomic Development
Minority businesses: Wounded by COVID, but key to inclusive revival
Tia Woods had been the coordinator of a dance program. It closed but left her with space in East Hartford. She had a business idea: Woods, who is Black, knew many minority artisans needed space to show and sell their products. So in February 2019, she created what she called a “modern consignment boutique” called […]
Posted inCities & Towns
Inclusive Growth: Is regional activity the state’s last option?
Regionalizing services could bring big cost savings, but Connecticut has historically maintained obstacles to greater cooperation between municipalities.
Posted inCities & Towns
Innovative program helps Lawrence, MA, get off the mat
A program that helps connect parents with jobs and skill-building is helping revitalize a historic mill town.