On Monday Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra will deliver his annual state of the city address. on Face the State Sunday, the mayor will give us a preview of what he’ll tell citizens.

In a nutshell, Segarra said the capital city is on the right track, and cited declining crime numbers and an increase in new business. I asked him about Hartford’s addition to the “most dangerous cities in America” list that sadly made the news this week and he was quick to explain the irrelevance of that dubious distinction to Hartfordites and those who work and play in the city.

We also talked about the new housing popping up in the city and some bigger projects that could dominate the headlines and bring cranes to the skyline. The mayor talked about his desire to build a new city hall across town, that would house all city offices, which are now scattered in several different buildings. Also in our discussion, we talked about rebuilding and lowering I-84, the Coltsville National Park proposal, iquilt, car insurance and taxes, the restoration of the Hartford Whalers and much more.

You can watch the entire interview with Mayor Segarra Right here: http://www.wfsb.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9921853 We were also joined by new UConn football coach Bob Diaco, whom the mayor met for the first time in our studios. Watch that here: https://dennishouse.tv/2014/03/06/connecticuts-next-big-celebrity-uconn-coach-bob-diaco/

Also a funny footnote to my chat with the mayor. At my birthday party held at Hartford City Hall last week, (pics right here: https://dennishouse.tv/2014/02/28/thank-you-for-a-great-50th-birthday/) Mayor Segarra gave my son a tour of his office, and a handmade sign that read “Mayor House.” Thanks, Mr. Mayor!

Speaking of new buildings, check these ones out: https://dennishouse.tv/2012/01/24/what-hartford-might-have-bee/