Hartford’s Abandoned Tower Faces Growing Safety Concerns

The long-vacant office tower at 25 Sigourney St. in Hartford is raising significant safety and security concerns as it deteriorates and becomes a hotspot for illegal activities. Originally constructed in the 1980s, the structure has attracted attention since it was tagged with graffiti two years ago. Local authorities are now alarmed by the potential hazards posed by this 15-story building, which has become increasingly unsafe due to broken windows and reports of intrusions.

City officials describe the situation at the former state office building as deteriorating rapidly. Jeff Auker, Hartford’s director of development services, expressed concern, stating, “It’s falling apart. It’s being used for bad things.” This situation echoes the decline of the old data processing center at 150 Windsor St., a property that became a site for theft and illegal activity before its impending demolition.

Amid these concerns, Hartford’s Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has placed the building’s owner, Casey Askar, a commercial real estate investor based in Florida, on an updated list of landlords with problematic properties. This list aims to pressure owners to either make necessary repairs or sell to those willing to invest in redevelopment. Askar faces over $625,000 in liens for blight and unpaid taxes related to the property.

Askar acquired the 467,000-square-foot tower in early 2020 for $1 million, with ambitious plans to transform it into a hub for technology and innovation. This initiative aimed to bolster Hartford’s insurance, healthcare, and aerospace sectors, with projected investments reaching $30 million. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted demand for office space, stalling any progress.

Despite discussions between the city and Askar regarding the building’s future, there has been little advancement. Arulampalam has expressed reluctance to take control of the property or pursue demolition, estimating that such actions could cost tens of millions of dollars. A 2015 state-commissioned study suggested demolition would cost approximately $16 million, a figure which is likely higher today due to inflation.

While there are no clear plans for revitalization, Arulampalam hinted at the possibility of a gradual conversion of the building to residential use. He suggested that redevelopment could begin on the upper floors, where views are optimal, and progress downward over several years.

Yet, financing for such a project remains challenging. Rents in Hartford’s neighborhoods are lower than those in the downtown area, making it difficult to secure funding. David Steuber, executive director of the Capital Region Development Authority, noted that they would review any proposals for the tower, recognizing the potential need for public financing in a competitive market.

The attached parking garage has also been deemed unsafe and would require demolition, further complicating any redevelopment plans. The city has already invested $215,000 in emergency efforts to prevent unauthorized access to the building, including sealing off entry points. Despite these measures, incidents of trespassing continue, with intruders using sophisticated tools to enter the premises.

The decline of the Sigourney Street tower is starkly contrasted with its initial promise when it opened as the Xerox Centre in the late 1980s. It struggled to attract major corporate tenants and was ultimately sold to the state for $42.6 million in 1994. After being declared a “sick building” due to health issues among state workers, it sat vacant for years before Askar’s acquisition.

Askar, who also owns a high-profile mansion formerly owned by rapper 50 Cent, has not publicly commented on recent developments regarding 25 Sigourney St.. Meanwhile, his former business partner, William H. Coons III, has initiated legal proceedings for the repayment of a loan that financed the tower’s purchase, indicating ongoing financial struggles related to the property.

As Hartford grapples with the future of this once-promising structure, officials emphasize the need for a proactive approach to prevent it from becoming a burden on the community.