8<strong>Hartford</strong> News Special Edition <strong>Hartford</strong> <strong>Progress</strong>: An Update on One <strong>City</strong>, One Plan June, 2012
June, 2012 <strong>Hartford</strong> <strong>Progress</strong>: An Update on One <strong>City</strong>, One Plan <strong>Hartford</strong> News Special Edition 9THINGS ARE HEADING NORTH!The <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong> is mak<strong>in</strong>g a concerted effort to redevelop the long-neglected area north <strong>of</strong> Downtown, which was cut<strong>of</strong>f from the rest <strong>of</strong> the neighborhood by the construction <strong>of</strong> I-84 <strong>in</strong> the early 1960s.Downtown North Redevelopment PlanNew Public SafetyComplex to Open this FallLocated on High Street at a locationvisible from I-84, <strong>Hartford</strong>’snew Public Safety Complex willconnect downtown <strong>Hartford</strong> withthe historic neighborhood to thenorth. The facility is scheduled toopen <strong>in</strong> early October.The center will be adjacent to theAnn Street Historic Corridor, acomponent <strong>of</strong> the <strong>City</strong>’s Rede -velopment Plan for the Down townNorth Project (see story at right).Currently, the Fire <strong>Department</strong>’sheadquarters is located <strong>in</strong> the PearlStreet Fire Station <strong>in</strong> Downtown<strong>Hartford</strong>. <strong>Police</strong> headquarters islocated on Jenn<strong>in</strong>gs Road <strong>in</strong> theNorth Meadows. S<strong>in</strong>ce the policemoved to Jenn<strong>in</strong>gs Road <strong>in</strong> the1980s, many residents voiced concernabout the police station be<strong>in</strong>ghard to get to and cut <strong>of</strong>f from thecity. The new center is easily accessiblefor pedestrians, cyclists,motorists and those us<strong>in</strong>g publictransportation.The new Public Safety Complexconsists <strong>of</strong> one build<strong>in</strong>g with twodist<strong>in</strong>ct components and a park<strong>in</strong>gstructure.The north component is a replacement<strong>of</strong> the orig<strong>in</strong>al 1891 schoolbuild<strong>in</strong>g, and will house the Fire<strong>Department</strong> adm<strong>in</strong>istration, FireMarshal headquarters, the FireCadet program, the emergencycommunications/911 dispatch centerand the site computer center.The south component will housepolice operations <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g theEmergency Operations Center, theCOMPSTAT crime analysis andstatistics unit and a common fitnesscenter for both Fire and <strong>Police</strong>.A detention area will conta<strong>in</strong> adedicated Sally Port and 16 cells.There will be a radio repair centerfor both Fire and <strong>Police</strong> and twolarge vehicle bays. At the south end<strong>of</strong> the site, a two level park<strong>in</strong>gstructure for police vehicles willhave direct access from WalnutStreet.Features:• Build<strong>in</strong>g Area: 189,000 SF(140,000 SF build<strong>in</strong>g and49,000 SF park<strong>in</strong>g structure).• Site Area: 5.84 acres (approximate)• Recreation <strong>of</strong> the 1891 NorthSecond District School exteriorfacade.• Outdoor granite memorial to<strong>Hartford</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Department</strong>and <strong>Hartford</strong> Fire <strong>Department</strong>.• Public lobby with art workhonor<strong>in</strong>g the history <strong>of</strong> theHPD and HFD.• 400kW fuel cell to provideelectrical power for build<strong>in</strong>goperations.• Fuel source (steam) for theIsham-Terry House.• Fully spr<strong>in</strong>klered build<strong>in</strong>g andpark<strong>in</strong>g deck.• Emergency generator, naturalgas.Timel<strong>in</strong>eDesign began September, 2005Design complete December, 2008Construction began June, 2009Construction complete July, 2012Build<strong>in</strong>g open<strong>in</strong>g Early Oct., 2012Cost:Design $5,400,000Site Acquisition 2,100,000Construction 59,500,000Adm<strong>in</strong>istration 4,800,000Furnish<strong>in</strong>gs & Equip. 5,200,000Total $77,000,000Architect: JCJ Architecture,<strong>Hartford</strong> CT; ConstructionManager: Gilbane ConstructionCompany, Glastonbury CT.<strong>Hartford</strong>’s new Public SafetyComplex is built on the site <strong>of</strong> theold Second North District School.The old school’s facade was recreatedand <strong>in</strong>corporated <strong>in</strong>to thedesign <strong>of</strong> the complex.The Downtown North Redevelopment Plan covers the area north <strong>of</strong> Downtown between I-84 and the railroad tracks.The primary goal <strong>of</strong> the Downtown NorthRedevelopment Plan is to create mixed-use developmentopportunities by assembl<strong>in</strong>g development sitesand remov<strong>in</strong>g obsolete and blighted build<strong>in</strong>gs, whileencourag<strong>in</strong>g historic preservation <strong>in</strong> this importantperipheral area <strong>of</strong> Downtown.The Plan calls for the development <strong>of</strong> a mixed-useurban district with strong connections to Downtownand the surround<strong>in</strong>g neighborhoods. The Project Areais sub-divided <strong>in</strong>to five sub-areas, each with specificBy Evelyn R. Richardson,Chair/Coord<strong>in</strong>ator,Friends <strong>of</strong> Old North CemeteryIt’s been five years s<strong>in</strong>ce ClayHill residents approached the <strong>City</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong> about the deplorablecondition <strong>of</strong> Old North Cemetery.S<strong>in</strong>ce then, a Master Plan was cocreatedby the <strong>City</strong> and neighborhoodresidents. This plan essentiallyhas two components:Capital Improvements: Cutt<strong>in</strong>gdown and remov<strong>in</strong>g old trees,repav<strong>in</strong>g roads, <strong>in</strong>stall<strong>in</strong>g signageand fenc<strong>in</strong>g, repair<strong>in</strong>g and replac<strong>in</strong>gmonuments and cutt<strong>in</strong>g grasson a consistent and timely basis.Communities Component: Createworkforce development, educationaland economic developmentopportunities for area residents,youth and bus<strong>in</strong>esses. This will<strong>in</strong>clude summer and year-roundworkforce development projects;monument restoration tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g;database record<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> more than10,000 people buried at this site;creation <strong>of</strong> a website, program andmarket<strong>in</strong>g materials; conduct<strong>in</strong>gtours and educational projects forschool aged youth and others.S<strong>in</strong>ce then, youth have beenemployed dur<strong>in</strong>g the summer(s) tolearn about monument restoration;research<strong>in</strong>g the historical significance<strong>of</strong> this cemetery and learn<strong>in</strong>gabout the existence <strong>of</strong> ColoredSoldiers, former Governors, buriedmembers from such families as theColts and Wadsworth and the factthat this is one <strong>of</strong> the most diversecemeteries <strong>in</strong> the nation whereBlacks, Irish, Italians, Jews, andother ethnic groups are buried. InJanuary 2012, the <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong>began the process <strong>of</strong> cutt<strong>in</strong>g downand remov<strong>in</strong>g old trees; clear<strong>in</strong>groads for re-pavement and otherupgrades. A plan is <strong>in</strong> place to cutthe grass on a more consistent basisas well.There are many to thank for keep<strong>in</strong>gthis matter before the <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Hartford</strong> and mak<strong>in</strong>g it a priorityredevelopment visions and objectives. This is one <strong>of</strong>the three recently created redevelopment areas and consists<strong>of</strong> over 100 acres <strong>of</strong> land. This Plan was approvedby the Council <strong>in</strong> 2009.In 2010, the <strong>City</strong> acquired and demolished the blightedbuild<strong>in</strong>g at 1161 Ma<strong>in</strong> Street. Also <strong>in</strong> 2010, the <strong>City</strong>was awarded a Susta<strong>in</strong>able Grant from the DOT for thisarea. Currently, the <strong>City</strong> is <strong>in</strong> the process <strong>of</strong> acquir<strong>in</strong>g58 Chapel Street. This lot is located is <strong>in</strong> close proximityto 1161 Ma<strong>in</strong> Street.The Restoration <strong>of</strong> “Old North” Cemeteryfor our community. CharlesBarrows leads this list for his unwaver<strong>in</strong>gadvocacy; Michael Fother -gill for educat<strong>in</strong>g youth and partner<strong>in</strong>gwith others to raise awareness<strong>of</strong> the historical significance <strong>of</strong>this site; and Andrew Woods <strong>of</strong><strong>Hartford</strong> Communities That Care,Inc. for provid<strong>in</strong>g youth summerjobs and <strong>in</strong>ternship opportunitiesfor Capital Community Collegestudents. We are also pleased tohave <strong>City</strong> Council members Cyn -thia Jenn<strong>in</strong>gs and Kyle Andersonadded to our list as champions forthis cause.Old North Cemetery is located <strong>in</strong>the North End <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hartford</strong>’s ClayArsenal neighborhood on Ma<strong>in</strong>Street between Mahl Avenue andMather Street across from SANDElementary School, which is nowcalled Americas Choice.I live adjacent to the cemeteryand like many <strong>of</strong> my neighbors; wehave been effected by the neglectthat has plagued this historical andprecious site. Most recently, I wasasked to be the resident Chair andCoord<strong>in</strong>ator <strong>of</strong> the newly created“Friends <strong>of</strong> Old North Cemetery”to help keep the momentum go<strong>in</strong>gon this project.If you are a resident <strong>of</strong> the communityand want to get <strong>in</strong>volved,please contact me at: 860-812-5086or erichardson45@yahoo.com.
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