Our own Dan Biederman, SHS class of '71 has been asked to help the city of Hartford with their efforts to make the city more pedestrian friendly, a project the city is calling iQuilt.

Dan was an early innovator of Business Improvement Districts when he co-founded the Bryant Park Corporation in 1980, taking Bryant Park from a crime-infested area to a perennial example of successful urban renewal. It is now considered to be one of the gold standards of well-managed public spaces.

He has also worked on other projects throughout New York, including the 34th Street Partnership and the Grand Central Partnership, and it's no exaggeration to say that his vision is a great part of what brings people to New York City.
 Hartford's project is called iQuilt because of the way it will bring the city together, eliminating some roads, possibly including sections of Interstate 84, and reconnecting the city's parks and cultural landmarks so that pedestrians can make full use of what Hartford has to offer. 

Talking about the enormous potential of Hartford's Bushnell Park, Dan was quoted in the Hartford Business Journal saying, "This should be a tremendous asset ... It is worthwhile to spend money here." You can check out the rest of the story here.