The city of Hartford is moving forward with plans to develop a cutting-edge applied artificial intelligence center, marking a significant step in the North Crossing redevelopment project. The proposed Connecticut Center for Applied AI would replace the current eyesore – a long-abandoned bank data processing center at 150 Windsor St. – with a modern 133,500-square-foot facility that could become a symbol of the city’s resurgence.
Project Details and Vision
The estimated $90 million AI center is part of a larger development that includes a $30 million, 120-room boutique hotel and a 200-space parking garage. City officials believe this project will not only transform the area but also establish Hartford as a hub for emerging technology. The AI center’s design includes an LED billboard that will showcase the innovative work being conducted inside, visible to the hundreds of thousands of motorists traveling on Interstates 84 and 91 weekly.
Addressing Workforce Development
A key component of the AI center’s vision is to create a workforce trained in AI technology. Jeff Auker, Hartford’s director of development services, emphasized that the center will focus on the space between large corporations and start-ups, where new ideas are tested and developed using commercially available digital tools. The city plans to collaborate with institutions of higher learning and nonprofits focused on technology to provide access to AI skills for residents and small businesses.
Funding and Competition
The city is seeking approximately $52 million from the state’s $100 million ‘Innovation Clusters’ program to support the project. Hartford is competing with New Haven and Stamford for funding, with a decision expected in late summer. If successful, the city is confident it can secure the remaining funds needed for the project.
Potential Impact and Partnerships
The AI center is expected to be operated by the Cambridge Innovation Center, which has extensive experience in managing innovation spaces. Early discussions have been held with MakerspaceCT, a skills development center, about becoming a tenant. The project is seen as a transformative opportunity for Hartford, potentially creating a pipeline for future job growth and economic development.
Future Developments
The development is expected to spur additional commercial uses on nearby land, including the former 12-acre Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus. RMS Cos., the developer of North Crossing, welcomes the diversification brought by the AI center and hotel. While construction of the AI center is at least a year away, the city hopes to identify temporary space in downtown Hartford to start forming the AI center later this year.
