What if your next West Hartford property came with fast, reliable transit and a growing network of walkable amenities? If you are eyeing Elmwood, Flatbush, or the Center, you are seeing the town lean into transit-oriented development. In this guide, you will learn where TOD is taking shape, which projects to watch, the rules that shape returns, and practical steps to vet a site. Let’s dive in.
CTfastrak at a glance
CTfastrak is Connecticut’s bus rapid transit line with a dedicated guideway between New Britain and Hartford. It opened in 2015 and runs frequent routes, with station platforms, ticket machines, and a parallel trail that improves first and last mile access. You can review the system overview on the official page for CTfastrak and its operations.
Where to focus in West Hartford
Two clusters stand out for TOD potential:
- Elmwood and Flatbush along New Park Avenue. These CTfastrak station areas anchor mixed-use infill, adaptive reuse, and small multifamily opportunities.
- West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. This walkable core is getting new mobility features, with premium retail and higher-end multifamily nearby.
Policies shaping TOD
Regional and local actions are making station areas more attractive for investment.
- Regional TOD guidance. CRCOG identifies CTfastrak station areas and offers tools towns can adopt. See the CRCOG TOD principles and resources.
- Town zoning and overlays. West Hartford created a transit-oriented district near CTfastrak stations to encourage mixed-use and residential density while reducing auto orientation. Read the town’s action summarized in this local report on the new district.
- Center infrastructure and mobility hubs. The town is rebuilding LaSalle Road and Farmington Avenue with wider sidewalks, raised crossings, and two mobility hubs that add bike parking, e-bike charging, and upgraded bus shelters. Get the details in the West Hartford Center infrastructure plan recap.
- Politics and tradeoffs. Street design changes are closely watched by residents and businesses, and parking decisions can shape project economics. For background, see coverage of Center construction and public feedback.
What is getting built now
Recent projects show demand across price points and building types.
- The Camelot, 900 Farmington Ave. A 100 percent affordable adaptive reuse with 44 units opened in 2025 near the Center. It leased quickly and adds to the area’s housing mix. Read the project overview and opening news.
- 606/616 New Park. A mixed-income, mixed-use development next to the Elmwood station demonstrates station-area living with ground-floor commercial space. See the 606 New Park grand opening.
- The Byline, 920 Farmington Ave. A market-rate mixed-use building in the Center signals demand for higher-end rentals in walkable locations. Explore the Byline project details.
- 579 New Park (The Jayden, proposed). A mixed-use plan tied to state brownfield grants shows how remediation support can unlock infill sites. Get context on state remediation funding in West Hartford.
Bottom line: The corridor features affordable adaptive reuse near the Center, mixed-income infill near Elmwood and Flatbush, and premium rentals close to Blue Back Square.
Numbers to know
Property taxes are a key operating cost. West Hartford’s real estate and personal property mill rate is 44.78 mills for FY 2025–26. You can confirm current mill rates with the Town Assessment and Tax Office.
Your station-area checklist
Use this quick list when you evaluate a home or small multifamily near CTfastrak.
- Walk distance to a station. A 0 to 5 minute walk tends to capture the strongest TOD premium. Check real walking routes and crossings, not just straight-line distance.
- Bike and last mile access. Look for trail connections, bike lanes, and planned mobility hub amenities in the Center that improve everyday convenience.
- Zoning and parking. Confirm if the parcel sits inside the Town’s transit-oriented district and whether parking minimums are flexible for your use.
- Environmental status. Check for any brownfield history, prior testing, or grant-supported remediation if you plan to redevelop.
- Taxes and underwriting. Apply the local mill rate, realistic rents for the product type, and conservative vacancy assumptions.
- Competition and pipeline. Consider nearby lease-ups like 606/616 New Park and premium options in the Center when modeling absorption and rents.
- Construction timelines. Center streetscape work and other corridor projects can affect near-term foot traffic and access, then lift long-term value once complete.
Risks and upside to weigh
- Rail infill potential. A future Hartford Line station near Flatbush has been studied and appears in program materials, but timing and funding have varied. Treat it as upside, not a near-term guarantee. Review the NHHS program context.
- Design and policy shifts. Parking supply, curb management, and streetscape choices can change project layouts and tenant expectations.
- Short-term disruption. Construction can temporarily affect retail and leasing while infrastructure upgrades are underway.
How we help you invest with confidence
You deserve advice that blends local market insight with practical, buildable solutions. At LAZA Properties, we represent buyers and sellers, coach new and seasoned investors, and bring renovation expertise to every deal. From spotting value in older housing stock to planning compliant, permitted updates and staging for resale, we guide you step by step.
Ready to pinpoint the right TOD opportunity near CTfastrak? Connect with Cathy Lapierre for a focused plan tailored to your goals.
FAQs
What is CTfastrak and why it matters for West Hartford investors?
- CTfastrak provides fast bus service on a dedicated guideway, concentrating foot traffic at stations and supporting mixed-use and multifamily demand near Elmwood, Flatbush, and the Center.
Which West Hartford areas near CTfastrak fit small investors best?
- The New Park corridor around Elmwood and Flatbush offers smaller mixed-use infill and adaptive reuse options, while the Center area skews to higher-end rentals with stronger retail nearby.
How do mobility hubs and Center upgrades affect returns?
- Wider sidewalks, safer crossings, and mobility hubs are designed to raise walkability and transit access, which can support rent growth, faster lease-ups, and more resilient retail.
What should I know about West Hartford property taxes before I buy?
- Apply the FY 2025–26 mill rate of 44.78 mills to your assessed value when modeling operating costs and cash flow, and verify updates with the Town’s Assessment Office.
Will a future Hartford Line station at Flatbush change values?
- A rail infill station has been studied, but funding and timelines have shifted, so treat it as long-term upside rather than a base-case assumption in your underwriting.
