With Blue Back Square Debt Free, West Hartford Dissolves Special Services District

West Hartford has dissolved its Special Services District after the Blue Back Square bonds were paid off.

By Michael Lemanski, Patch Staff

Jul 9, 2026 1:36 pm EDT

With the Blue Back Square commercial development project now paid off after opening in 2007, the Town of West Hartford dissolved the government entity that oversaw the development, which was a public-private partnership established nearly two decades ago. (Tim Jensen/Patch)

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford Town Council has unanimously voted to dissolve the West Hartford Special Services District, concluding the work of the entity created to help oversee the financing of the Blue Back Square development.

The council approved the ordinance and resolution on a 7-0 vote at its June 23 meeting, repealing Article XI of Chapter 161 of the town code.

The Special Services District was established to promote the economic and general welfare of West Hartford by supporting the vitality of West Hartford Center.

Its primary responsibility was to recommend a tax levy to service debt on bonds issued for the Blue Back Square public-private partnership.

Blue Back Square, a major shopping/dining/entertainment destination, opened in 2007.

According to the resolution adopted by the council, those bonds have now been fully retired, eliminating the need for the district's primary function.

The resolution also notes that the district's principal assets — the Isham and Memorial parking garages — are now managed and maintained directly by the Town of West Hartford.

In approving the measure, the town council determined that the district had fulfilled its purpose and was no longer necessary.

The council also formally recognized Blue Back Square as "one of the state's most successful public-private partnerships," stating that the mixed-use development transformed West Hartford into "a premier cultural, entertainment, and dining destination."

The resolution says the project has served as an economic engine by significantly expanding the town's tax base while enhancing residents' quality of life.

Council members also thanked current and former members of the Special Services District Board of Commissioners for their stewardship of the partnership over the years.

Under the resolution, West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith was directed to work with the district's Board of Commissioners to wind up the district's affairs by the end of the current fiscal year.

For the minutes of the June 23 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.