20<strong>Hartford</strong> News Special Edition <strong>Hartford</strong> <strong>Progress</strong>: An Update on One <strong>City</strong>, One Plan June, 2012<strong>Hartford</strong> Public Library Opens New W<strong>in</strong>gThis mural <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong> history (a portion <strong>of</strong> which is shown above) is now hang<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the new “AmericanPlace” room at the <strong>Hartford</strong> Public Library, Downtown Branch, 500 Ma<strong>in</strong> Street, <strong>Hartford</strong>. View<strong>in</strong>g from leftto right, we see various 18th and 19th century workplaces, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g a stone quarry, locomotive shop and ashipyard. Beh<strong>in</strong>d and to the right <strong>of</strong> the shipyard can be seen the <strong>Hartford</strong> waterfront as it looked <strong>in</strong> the mid-19th century. Above the skyl<strong>in</strong>e is an <strong>in</strong>set picture <strong>of</strong> the Colt Armory. Below this is Sam Colt himself, hold<strong>in</strong>gone <strong>of</strong> his revolvers. Next to him is a man, possibly Christian Sharps or Richard Lawrence, hold<strong>in</strong>g a SharpsRifle, which was manufactured <strong>in</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong> from 1855 - 1876. Below the factory picture is Mark Twa<strong>in</strong> withone <strong>of</strong> Col. Albert Pope’s high-wheelers and a family gett<strong>in</strong>g ready to set <strong>of</strong>f on <strong>in</strong> out<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the earlyautomobiles which were also produced by Pope. (Photo courtesy <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Hartford</strong> Public Library)Electrical Contractors, Inc.Industrial • Residential • CommercialTraffic • Telecommunications24 Hour Service3510 Ma<strong>in</strong> Street • <strong>Hartford</strong> CT 06120CT Lic. E-1# 102800Ph. 860-549-2822 • Fax 860-549-8570www.ec<strong>in</strong>corporated.comLou Bona, Presidentlbona@ec<strong>in</strong>corporated.comThea Montanez, <strong>Hartford</strong> Public Library board president, <strong>Hartford</strong> MayorPedro Segarra and Matthew K. Poland, chief executive <strong>of</strong>ficer, <strong>Hartford</strong>Public Library cut the ribbon to <strong>of</strong>ficially open <strong>Hartford</strong> Public Library’snew w<strong>in</strong>g this past April. Fund<strong>in</strong>g for the new w<strong>in</strong>g came from the <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Hartford</strong> and the State Library. The new w<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>cludes a new state-<strong>of</strong>-theartCenter for Contemporary Culture, which will <strong>of</strong>fer enterta<strong>in</strong>ment andeducation for the residents <strong>of</strong> the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong>, as well as a new andimproved home for the library’s American Place, which provides servicesto immigrants and other new arrivals to <strong>Hartford</strong>. The American Placewill also house the Passport Office, classroom space for ESOL andCitizenship classes, and a computer area for self-guided <strong>in</strong>struction.
June, 2012 <strong>Hartford</strong> <strong>Progress</strong>: An Update on One <strong>City</strong>, One Plan <strong>Hartford</strong> News Special Edition 21Q&A with Liam McGee, Chairman, President and CEO <strong>of</strong> The <strong>Hartford</strong>The <strong>Hartford</strong> has been headquartered<strong>in</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong>’s Asylum Hillneighborhood for more than 90years. How does the company supportthe neighborhood?We have been <strong>in</strong>volved withAsylum Hill for years. Our companywas a found<strong>in</strong>g partner <strong>of</strong> theNorthside Institutions Neighbor -hood Alliance, or NINA, whichhelps work<strong>in</strong>g families f<strong>in</strong>d newhomeownership opportunities. Wehave also been a long-time supporter<strong>of</strong> The Village for Families andChildren, the Asylum Hill Boys andGirls Club, and West MiddleElementary School.Improv<strong>in</strong>g Asylum Hill rema<strong>in</strong>s aphilanthropic priority for The<strong>Hartford</strong>. Our company formalizedthis commitment <strong>in</strong> November2010, with a $7 million, five-year<strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> the neighborhood.We strive to make a last<strong>in</strong>g differenceby partner<strong>in</strong>g with communityleaders to revitalize the neighborhood,educate children, and developoutreach programs for the familiesthat live here. Exemplify<strong>in</strong>gour culture <strong>of</strong> service and outreach,employees place a high value onvolunteer<strong>in</strong>g their time and skills <strong>in</strong>the community.How has the neighborhood benefitteds<strong>in</strong>ce November 2010?A major accomplishment is thedemolition <strong>of</strong> the blighted CapitolWest build<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Asylum Hill. Alongtime eyesore, the build<strong>in</strong>g hasbeen torn down and the property isbe<strong>in</strong>g transformed <strong>in</strong>to an <strong>in</strong>vit<strong>in</strong>ggreen space. We were pleased topartner with the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong> onthis project, and I congratulateMayor Segarra on his commitmentto revitalization.Another neighborhood revitalizationeffort is our partnership withNINA. Together, we helped restoresix blighted properties and plant 50trees to help re-establish thecanopy. I’m proud that 150 volunteersfrom The <strong>Hartford</strong> have giventheir time to NINA.What about education and communitysupport services?Golden Anniversary MeansRejuvenation for the CathedralStretch<strong>in</strong>g 280 feet <strong>in</strong>to the skyand featur<strong>in</strong>g a magnificent sta<strong>in</strong>lesssteel cross, the Cathedral <strong>of</strong>Sa<strong>in</strong>t Joseph makes a strik<strong>in</strong>gappearance for those who travel<strong>in</strong>to <strong>Hartford</strong> everyday. The view<strong>in</strong>side the cathedral is amaz<strong>in</strong>g aswell. Visitors are greeted by theresplendent beauty <strong>of</strong> 26 sta<strong>in</strong>edglass w<strong>in</strong>dows commissioned byworld-renowned artist JeanBarillet, and a one-<strong>of</strong>-a-k<strong>in</strong>d mesmeriz<strong>in</strong>gceramic <strong>of</strong> Christ locatedat the rear <strong>of</strong> the high altar. It istruly majestic place, and fitt<strong>in</strong>glythe Mother Church <strong>of</strong> theArchdiocese <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong> where peoplefrom across the archdiocesecome to praise God. Upon close<strong>in</strong>spection, however, one can seethat the years have begun to tarnishher beauty. Like many structuresthat are 50 years old, she is <strong>in</strong> need<strong>of</strong> substantial rejuvenation and modernization.As she celebrates hergolden anniversary <strong>in</strong> 2012, theArchdiocese <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong> has startedto tackle one restoration project at atime.Some projects have already begunand have been completed. A leakyro<strong>of</strong> was replaced, a stairwell alongthe east side <strong>of</strong> the front entrancewas restored, and a new audio systemwas <strong>in</strong>stalled enhanc<strong>in</strong>g thesound quality throughout the cathedraland its side chapels.Archbishop Henry J. Mansell tookthe opportunity to speak to parishionersabout some <strong>of</strong> the improvementsdur<strong>in</strong>g the celebration <strong>of</strong> the“50th Anniversary Mass” <strong>of</strong> theconsecration <strong>of</strong> the cathedral, whichtook place on May 20th with over1800 people <strong>in</strong> attendance.He talked about one <strong>of</strong> the mosthighly anticipated improvements –the <strong>in</strong>stallation <strong>of</strong> the new permanentaltar. Weigh<strong>in</strong>g 4800 pounds,and measur<strong>in</strong>g 4 feet wide and 12feet long, it is made <strong>of</strong> solid Biancomarble, and is a spectacular sight.Funded by the Knights <strong>of</strong>Columbus, the new altar is dedicatedto their founder, Father Michaelborn and raised <strong>in</strong> Waterbury.The Archbishop also announcedthat discussions were underwaywith benefactors who will fund theconstruction <strong>of</strong> a handicappedaccessible entrance on the west side<strong>of</strong> the cathedral. The designs call forthe construction <strong>of</strong> a driveway connect<strong>in</strong>gthe park<strong>in</strong>g lot <strong>of</strong> the cathedralon Asylum Street (which facesthe back <strong>of</strong> the cathedral) with thenew entrance. The entrancewaywould house an elevator, whichwould give transport to the first andsecond floors. Each floor wouldhave eight handicapped-accessiblerestrooms for a total <strong>of</strong> 16.Talks are also ongo<strong>in</strong>g to transformthe lower cathedral <strong>in</strong>to agather<strong>in</strong>g area where people couldmeet after Masses for a variety <strong>of</strong>functions. Classrooms for religiouseducation are also planned for thisspace.We have seen a lot <strong>of</strong> progress <strong>in</strong>education <strong>in</strong> Asylum Hill. Our partnershipwith Junior Achievementand <strong>Hartford</strong> Public Schools hasreached more than 1,000 studentsand helped <strong>in</strong>crease their f<strong>in</strong>ancialliteracy, workforce preparedness,and entrepreneurial skills. N<strong>in</strong>etypercent <strong>of</strong> participat<strong>in</strong>g teachers saytheir students demonstrated<strong>in</strong>creased understand<strong>in</strong>g.The <strong>Hartford</strong> is also <strong>in</strong>volvedwith West Middle ElementarySchool, which is a few blocks fromour headquarters. Hundreds <strong>of</strong> studentshave participated <strong>in</strong> the afterschooland summer programs andmore than 200 <strong>Hartford</strong> teammatesvolunteer at the school every year <strong>in</strong>programs such as Read<strong>in</strong>g Buddiesand Math Buddies.Through the <strong>Hartford</strong> Consor -tium for Higher Education’s CareerBeg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>gs program, our companyhelped fund a new on-site studentadvisor at <strong>Hartford</strong> Public HighSchool to assist students with thecollege application process.S<strong>in</strong>ce f<strong>in</strong>ancial literacy is a philanthropicpriority, we also partneredwith Co-opportunity and theUnited Way to create the F<strong>in</strong>ancialResource Center, which providesf<strong>in</strong>ancial literacy and budget plann<strong>in</strong>gresources to Asylum Hill residents.So far, we have been able toreach 135 Asylum Hill residents.We also support The Village forFamilies and Children, the YWCA<strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong>, and the ChrysalisCenter.Have you been pleased with thisprogress?While there is always more workto do, The <strong>Hartford</strong> is encouragedby the progress <strong>in</strong> Asylum Hill.Our teammates have given generously<strong>of</strong> their time, volunteer<strong>in</strong>gtheir skills and expertise to helpimprove the neighborhood. Morethan 1,000 employees have volunteeredapproximately 6,500 hours<strong>in</strong> Asylum Hill s<strong>in</strong>ce November2010.The city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong> has been ourhome for more than 200 years, andwe welcome all the efforts underway from <strong>City</strong> Hall, our schools,non-pr<strong>of</strong>it groups, and neighborhoodorganizations to make the citya better place <strong>in</strong> which to live andwork.
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