300 New Next Door Neighbors

That's right, I'm about to have 300 new neighbors. Well, not right away, but within the next few years. It'll start with about 65 new neighbors who will serve as the first entering class at St. Joseph's new School of Pharmacy located in Trumbull Street's Hartford 21. The first class is set to begin their two-year masters program in the facility in fall of 2010. Within a few years the student body could swell to over 300. As far as I know, there is no current plan to build student housing, but hopefully many of the graduate students will choose to live downtown, near campus. There is also the possibility that St. Joe's will lease what used to be the Goodwin Hotel on Asylum street and convert the antique hotel into student housing (with a bookstore and cafe, please?!?!?!). While some might complain about the possibility of a student housing complex being developed a few blocks from their home, I'm thrilled with the idea. First of all, these are graduate students, so they will be more mature and respectful, and likely have more disposable income. One article I read said that "eds and meds" help to fuel a city, and I could not agree more. Look at major college towns such as Amherst/Northampton, New Haven, etc. Industry thrives in these cities, in part due to the large student population. I'm hopeful and eager that the new School of Pharmacy (and the New Alliance Bank branch also moving into Hartfor 21) will fuel industry growth in the downtown Hartford area and as there won't be a cafeteria in the facility, so students will be supporting downtown food and retail establishments. Now a grocery store, that would really fuel development in the city. Someone has got to make it happen, and soon, if there is going to be an influx of students into the city: I hear the city is offering funding to the first real estate developer that attracts a supermarket; so what are they waiting for?!

Also, St. Joe's school is creating the second pharmacy school in the state and with health care career opportunities on the rise, this is sure to be a desirable program. It would be even more desirable if there was a grocery store (and other amenities....a laundromat?!?!) downtown....can you tell how I feel? It'll be exciting to watch the city grow!