Paraphrase of woman speaking at the “Life After Landfill” meeting:

We should have an encampment built so that the city’s homeless people can be shipped up there to live. We should “send people there to educate” them. This way, people can feel safe while walking down Park Street and Main Street.

Of the ideas expressed at tonight’s public forum, I can confidently say that that was the worst idea. Other suggestions for ways that we could use the Hartford Landfill, which was closed at the end of 2008, showed more respect toward fellow residents.

This site is over 124 acres, wedged between I-91 and the Connecticut River. There are a number of items that would have to be taken into consideration when finding a use for the area:

  • bald eagles’ nests
  • 78 gas extraction wells (methane)
  • the larger level area (36 acres) at a  higher elevation is where the gas wells are and may sink/settle in the next ten years; the smaller level area (6 acres) is more stable.
  • there is a synthetic membrane over the landfill that cannot be breached. This would limit certain projects requiring deep roots or foundations. While more dirt could be brought in, this may be costly.

The Hartford Landfill Post-Closure Community Advisory Committee took suggestions from residents and others:

  • biking destination: it was suggested that the former landfill be used for “bicycle race riding,” mountain bike trails, and a velodrome. I was a little surprised that nobody pointed out the obvious reason for why a biking destination would be awesome: Hartford’s bicycle history.
  • solar energy: the man advocating for this had put some serious thought into this and indicated that he already has made Connecticut Light & Power aware of the idea. He suggested leasing the land to an energy producer and using part of the area as a test field for solar technologies (and funneling the revenue back into the city to defray property taxes). He elaborated that the cost of power increases with inflation and that San Antonio can serve as a model for Hartford, as they have already installed solar panels in a former landfill. Another person added that the solar panels could support the energy needs for any commercial operations on the same site, such as those of a greenhouse.
  • greenhouse: a few people spoke in favor of greenhouses. One said that the food grown could go to Foodshare. While some were interested in this as a commercial enterprise, others felt it should be accessible to the public.
  • rollerskating rink
  • commercial center: though nothing concrete was suggested, the reasoning given for this was that “it’s the United States of America,” and we need jobs. Okay, not as offensive as creating an out-of-sight out-of-mind reeducation camp for the homeless, but not convincing. We have plenty of retail areas available in Hartford already, like downtown. Someone stated that if a big box retail center, like Home Depot, were plunked on top of Mount Hartford, he would move out of town.
  • sports complex: while a soccer field could not be laid down on the larger level area of the former landfill, this could happen on the six acres below. I would argue against a sports complex for two reasons: (1) we already have a number of sports fields and facilities in the city which are not maintained as well as they could be (2) every time I visit my folks out East of the River, I pass the sad skeleton of an attempted sports complex right beside I-84.
  • vistas: anything from lookout towers to barebones viewing areas were recommended.
  • multi-use: several different things could happen on the same site
  • a nursery: I was pleased that someone mentioned this because “tree farm” was a thought I had right after I heard some groaning about greenhouses. We would have a constant mini-forest, people would not have to leave Hartford to fill their Christmas tree needs, and since these would be smaller trees, we would not have to worry about disrupting the membrane. This would allow for some commercial use which is not redundant to something already existing in Hartford.
  • nothing: CRRA is responsible for the upkeep of this area for the next thirty years. There’s no requirement that the city do something with the space immediately.
  • public art: creating a buzz through the use of temporary public art installments seemed to be one possible compromise while other “big ideas” are hashed out.
  • cell tower
  • Welcome to Hartford: after Councilperson Cotto mentioned a “Hollywood”-like sign, someone suggested a more natural, scaled-down version in flowers or shrubs. In any case, many people entering Hartford via I-91 South pass this area and it is a first impression of the city.
  • extend trail along riverfront: extending the trail from Charter Oak Landing to this region seems like a no-brainer, as does creating some kind of river access.

Since Cotto encouraged the audience to think big, I brainstormed my own list:

  • Hartford’s version of Waterbury’s Holy Land. It’s not my belief system, but judging by the number of churches in the area, I don’t see why this wouldn’t be a hit. Okay, so it went the same way as the sports complex in Vernon.
  • a permanent fair: think fun houses, scary houses, and smaller amusement park rides. The real rollercoaster thrill is when the structure spontaneously sinks several feet into shifting soil.
  • methane-powered dune buggy track. That’s not my idea. I stole it. Maybe a motorcross track. I know the insurance would be ridiculous.
  • wildlife sanctuary. Wickham Park in Manchester has an aviary; some of their birds have injuries that would make them unlikely to survive in the wild. Birds and animals that could not survive on their own could be on view while receiving care that might make it possible for them to be later released.
  • plant a forest. This would not be intended as the typical park we have in Hartford. There could be a dirt path through it, but otherwise, just leave it. Let it be nature for the sake of nature.

If you missed this or the previous meeting, there will be one more. The date of this is not yet confirmed, but check back on the Hartford Landfill Post-Closure Community Advisory Committee blog.