OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Over the past decade, The Bushnell has stretched beyond the traditional role of a performing arts center and emerged as a leader in thoughtful and creative development of downtown and of its own Capitol Avenue neighborhood, "our patch" of the iQuilt. In 2011, a separate nonprofit organization, The Bushnell Community Development Foundation, was formed to advocate for the interests of Downtown Hartford's cultural institutions and the diverse communities impacted by our neighborhood.

Our vision for the neighborhood includes the transformation of the State's 6.3 acre surface parking lots into a sustainable, mixed-use public plaza – an exciting public space, tentatively dubbed Connecticut Square – which will host festivals, markets and performances on nights, weekends, and holidays. Capitol Avenue development plans also call for green infrastructure, dynamic, new mixed-use buildings, enhancement of existing landmarks and innovative new ways to physically and programmatically connect cultural points of interest.

The Bushnell is committed to accelerate and sustain the creative evolution of the downtown, and to ensure its emerging sense of place as an exciting neighborhood that engages and delights its residents and many visitors.