The Hartford Preservation Alliance (HPA) is a professionally-operated, volunteer-assisted 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of the unique architectural heritage and neighborhood character of Hartford, Connecticut.
Coltsville Clears Hurdle To National Historic Landmark Status
By JEFFREY B. COHEN | Courant Staff Writer 2:06 PM EDT, July 22, 2008
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Colt Dome is reflected in an open window in the hallway of the fifth floor at sunset.
(BOB MACDONNELL / HARTFORD COURANT / April 18, 2000)
Coltsville - the area anchored by the historic blue onion dome atop the Colt firearms complex-- moved a step closer to National Historic Landmark status Tuesday, with the vote this morning by the National Park Service Advisory Board authorizing the designation.
Final approval now rests with Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne, according to a press release from the office of Congressman John B. Larson announcing the advisory board's decision.
"The blue Colt Dome is shining brighter today," said Gov. M. Jodi Rell , in a statement released by her office . "This was a true team effort, and I thank Congressman Larson, Mayor Perez and our entire congressional delegation for their hard work and persistence in getting this designation. This is great news for Hartford and for the entire state of Connecticut." |
Tuesday's vote marked another step along the path of national landmark status for the Coltsville Historic District, which as taken years of effort by backers of the district, as well as officials at Colt Gateway, LLC – the developers turning the firearms complex into apartments and commercial space. The effort got an earlier important nod last December when an advisory committee of the park service recommended approval by the NPS board.
The approval, while noteworthy, doesn't change the fact that the $120 million Colt Gateway conversion project remains stalled. Mired in a financial tangle with a bankrupt lender, rising construction costs, and a slumping economy, the project's developers say they are still looking for the money to restart the construction that stopped more than a year ago.
"We are working with many stakeholders at the state and local level and we are in active financial negotiations and we are still providing information to potential investors," said Rebekah MacFarlane of Colt Gateway. "We are optimistic that we will successfully complete these negotiations and build out the entire project."
Under the blue onion dome occurred a revolution in firearms manufacturing that won the West and helped the Union triumph in the Civil War. It was where Sam Colt and legions of workers flexed the nation's 19th century industrial muscle, and where Colt and his wife, Elizabeth, left a lasting imprint.
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