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100 | HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL • OCTOBER 2, 2017 Hartford's future vibrancy depends on young professionals Mitch Jackson IT project manager for Optum and chair of Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs What role will Millennials play in helping shape Hartford's future over the next decade? Millennials are the heir apparent to the Baby Boomers as well as Generation X to an extent. This is a highly informed group that has unprecedented access to information and is tech savvy. Hartford is undergoing a transitional period mixed with the development of new apartments, a controversial baseball stadium, the UConn Hartford campus, and a cloudy fiscal climate. Hartford seems poised to take a more positive turn under the new and current leadership, and Millennials will be integral in the direction this city takes. Hartford is not Boston or New York and it never will be — that is not Hartford's shtick. Hartford is a Capital City with the feel of a small town whose character is as diverse and cultured as its residents. As Millennials become more engrained in society, build their careers, and start families they will look for more stability and a sturdy foundation. Hartford can provide that foundation as they seek to establish roots in a familiar area. How does Greater Hartford become a more attractive draw to young professionals? Young professionals are a fickle group seeking the best opportunities afforded to them as well as the best locales that suit their lifestyle. Hartford's strengths are its diversity, walkable cityscape, and small community feel. However, it needs an uptick in foot traffic at night to make the city feel alive outside of an 'event' day. Having a larger selection of eateries and watering holes as well as sporting events makes the city more appealing from an entertainment standpoint. Fortunately, there are organizations like Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) that conduct 70-plus events per year all around the Greater Hartford area. HYPE showcases different restaurants and bars and provides mixed programming that caters to its more than 4,000 members. If you build it, they will come. And, this could not be more apparent when you consider the development taking place and attendance to the various events all around the city. Hartford at a crossroads Christopher Ostop Executive Vice President, Jones Lang Lasalle LLC What changes do you anticipate will impact Greater Hartford's office market over the next decade? What about downtown Hartford specifically? Hartford is at a crossroads. Global business service companies continue to define downtown. We don't have the market drivers of life sciences, tech and entrepreneurial companies like Boston that are needed to grow. The Convention Center, Front Street and Science Center are the necessary first steps toward enlivening downtown. The Capital Region Development Authority's recent investment in housing is key to our changing from an old economy office market to a vibrant world-class city. With an influx in residential we will see more new economy companies growing here, the office market gaining strength, and a return of Hartford to its 24/7 live, work and play roots. Of the various development projects underway or planned for Hartford, which will have the most significant economic development impact? The relocation of UConn's West Hartford campus, and Trinity College's plan to grow on the Riverfront is encouraging. This shows their combined commitment to our central business district's future, and takes a giant step toward generating the critical mass we need to succeed. "As Millennials become more engrained in society, build their careers, and start families they will look for more stability and a sturdy foundation." "The Convention Center, Front Street and Science Center are the necessary first steps toward enlivening downtown. " Q/A THE FUTURE