Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A Unique Asset

Mt. Hartford, or the Hartford Landfill, is generally regarded as one of Hartford's terrible detractors. Residents in North Hartford have long and justifiably complained about its stench and travelers on I-91 have lamented its eyesore-ish qualities.

It's now closed and an advisory committee has been established to figure out what to do with it next. That group went and visited the landfill this evening; opinions have changed. Seldom have I seen a group of people wandering around which such wonder and curiosity. It was like being at the Grand Canyon. Gears are cranking in people's heads to figure out what next to do with new land with a really great view. Methane collection valves be damned!

Also, I may be the first (or not) to ride up and down Mt. Hartford on a bike.















10 comments:

Mark said...

Back when I was in college the Landscape company I was working for had a contract to plant shrubs and trees on the slope facing the highway. Everyday, I drove up from Stamford with a bunch of guys on my crew and we planted and planted and planted. Later that summer I had to water the darn thing from one hydrant. Every time I pass by it, I remember those days, including finding an Indian Head dime in a trash pile.

Karma said...

Those shots are crazy. Some of them look like you are in the middle of the desert. Any suggestions of what might be in store for the land? Definitely is a nice view.

Brendan said...

Maybe it was just because I was on a bike, but the committee talked about bike things. I hope something like this: http://evergreenmtb.org/colonnade/

Brendan said...

or ATV things :-(

Karma said...

Having dirty, noisy ATVs ripping around up there probably isn't the quality of life improvement Northenders were hoping for is it.

Karma said...

How is the wind up there? Wind farm?

Mark said...

Wind Farm and Mountain Bike Park, now that would be novel. How's the stink by the way? Or does it stink? If there is no stink then let's develop!

Brendan said...

A wind farms is tough because of the torque that the towers exert on the ground. Putrescent earth isn't as stable and can shift. We've talked about it a bit, but the geotechnical guy thinks that solar would be better.

You know... if CT-NEMBA could make a little proposal for use of some of the land, I'm sure that the committee would be very interested.

In the capped areas, there's no stink. There's a little bit of stink where it hasn't been capped yet.

I'll see if I can get a digital copy of the site map.

Anonymous said...

So they basically have to Cap That ASH!! Oh yeah...

Karma said...

I guess that makes sense, the lack of accessible bedrock and all. Solar would be good though.