Jim Boucher -- "The Latest in Hartford's Community Happenings & Revitalization"

Support New Britain - Hartford Bus Rapid Transit

SUPPORT
The New Britain-Hartford Bus Rapid Transit Project

ATTEND PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

Thursday August 11, 2011 | 6:30 p.m.

DiLoreto Multimedia Room, Frank DiLoreto Hall

Central Connecticut State University

1615 Stanley Street

New Britain, CT 06050

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting to discuss the New Britain-Hartford Busway, a 9.4-mile bus rapid transit service that will improve mobility in the I-84 corridor west of Hartford.

Facebook Link

QUICK FACTS

9.4 miles

Regional links to West Hartford, Farmington, Bristol, and Waterbury

Attracts 5,000 new daily riders

80% federal funding

Complete in 2013

ATTEND PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

Thursday August 11, 2011 | 6:30 p.m.

DiLoreto Multimedia Room, Frank DiLoreto Hall

Central Connecticut State University

1615 Stanley Street

New Britain, CT 06050

The Best Way Forward

  In reviewing some of this weekend's newspapers and events, needless to say, more troubling news complicates efforts to identify "the best way forward" for urban revitalization in Hartford and elsewhere. The latest trends that 4,000 more jobs were lost In recent weeks in Connecticut, and several thousand state employees being at risk of layoffs, strikes Hartford particularly hard. 

As part of a national trend, urban communities, such as Hartford, which rely heavily on public sector jobs continue to be hard hit by the economy.  Part of the trend has been the huge shift in the past 50 years from manufacturing jobs to public sector jobs. 

Already adversely impacted by the loss of much of its old industrial economic engine, and now faced with a steady erosion of public sector investments -- what is the best way forward for Hartford?

Given the impending national debt ceiling resolution, it is likely that this trend of significant cuts to the public sector will continue.  These trends coupled with a real estate quagmire, low consumer confidence, continued high energy costs -- what becomes "the best way forward?"

At least a portion of "the best way forward," most likely lies in renewed and increased attention to basic community economic development that is more highly focused on investing in basic human capital: education, innovation, job training, mass transit, local housing development, and buying/purchasing locally." While clearly top attention must continue to be given to public safety and reducing the homicide rate and addressing basic human needs (the safety net), the long term community economic development agenda and strategies for Hartford must be given further prioritization and sustained with increased attention to Hartford's human development.

Indeed, the Capital City 's local community economic development projects are showing signs of progress.  As just an example or two of such efforts are Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together, and combined with the progress made by the groups affiliated with Hartford's Neighborhood Development Support Collaborative  and Hartford Housing Authority (to name a few) continue to seed homeownership and affordable housing opportunities. Other examples of local community economic development efforts include the investment in local artisans through the Arts Stimulus Projects, and  growing numbers of civic activists developing open farm markets; while at the same time seeing the growth of community asset projects such as Billings Forge Community Works, Veeder Place, Swift Factory and other urban revitalization efforts -- all showing strong evidence that there is a resurgence in Hartford where many area residents are working hard transforming Hartford's neighborhoods. (These are just a few of many other examples that can be shown). 

 The best way forward for Hartford will be an increasing reliance on building its own capacity through the City's One City One Plan strategies.  Recent efforts to target more resources at community development strategies will increase this momentum (see previous posting).     Efforts to enhance the mass transit strategies for a busway to New Britian and a communter line to New Haven, New York and Springfield -- and continuing to build out housing markets in the core city must be sustained and grown. Progress with Hartford's schools, coupled with enhanced educational and job training opportunities demonstrate the "best way forward,"  out of the debilitating economic distress that has impacted so many.

While this is just a segment of a more comprehensive approach, it is becoming increasingly evident that reliance on broad investments from the federal and state government for Hartford's revitalization will be more limited in the immediate future, and the need to give high priority attention to supporting local community self-determination and community economic development must be a priority.

Hartford Hospital Expansion Plans | Hartford Business

The Hartford Business Journal provided a recent update on plans by Hartford Hospital for expansion.  The hospital is seeking final approval from the city in August,with an anticipated groundbreaking in September. For more information:.Hartford Healthcare bond offering to refinance debt, overhaul campus | Hartford Business.

City Council Passes Emergency Appropriations

The City Council passed Mayor Segarra's Emergency Appropriations request on Monday (July 18th) by consent. This enabled immediate approval of emergency appropriations of the city's General Fund for neighborhood anti-blight and community improvement activities.  The City Council will also be taking action in the upcoming days/weeks on the Mayor's request for a slight decrease in the city's mill rate through another city ordinance submitted to the City Council. 

Hartford City Council to Act on Mayor Segarra's Proposal at Special Council Meeting on Monday

The Hartford City Council will act on Monday on the Mayor's Proposal to strengthen city capacity and response to community anti-blight issues through a special city council meeting.  

 

The Mayor's proposed a Supplemental General Fund Appropriation to City Council in the amount of $1.25 million. According to a statement issued by the Mayor these funds would be dedicated to:

1) Anti-blight efforts that will include adding 3 inspectors to the one that was already in the budget; adding a lawyer and dedicating 2 interns to address these issues; adding additional DPW staff (minimum of 8, potentially 16);

2) The doubling of the Neighborhood Development Fund from $2 million to $4 million.

3) The total financial commitment to fully implement the Livable and Sustainable Neighborhood Initiative (which is the jumpstart of One City, One Plan for conservation and development)

Also, on Monday, July 18th at 7:00 p.m. the Hartford City Council will also hold a public hearing on another proposal to consider eventual action on Mayor Pedro Segarra's recent proposal to decrease the city's mill rate from 72.29 to 71. 79. In a recent statement, the Mayor explained that "this is in addition to the ½ mill reduction achieved earlier this year, so Hartford property taxes will go down a full mill rate."

The Hartford City Council has been working with the Mayor on ongoing efforts to reduce the tax burden on the residential and business community, and also focus on enhancing the City's quality of life.