Rendering courtesy of Smith Edwards McCoy Architects

On February 4, 2014, Frank H. Hagaman, Executive Director of the Hartford Preservation Alliance (HPA) and Meryth Andrews, Chair of the Board of Directors of the John E. Rogers African American Cultural Center (JERAACC) signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the renovation of the signature Northwest School on Albany Avenue to create a sustainable cultural center.  Both organizations will work together on what is to be a signature project to revitalize and restore this iconic Upper Albany landmark.

The project is a priority of the City of Hartford, the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, the State Historic Preservation Office and the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.  $1 million has been committed to mitigate hazardous materials and stabilize the exterior structure and the project is now poised to take critical next steps. The ground breaking for the renovation of this historic building will occur in the spring.

HPA and JERAACC have agreed to work together:

• HPA is to provide administrative support to the project sponsor
• Jointly work together to inform and educate on the historic significance of a treasured school
• Work with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to create a sustainable, dynamic and economically feasible center
• Organize and explore financial resources to create and maintain the historic building

Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra and the city’s Department of Economic Development have been diligent in contributing time and talent towards the efforts to have this historic resource rejoin the vitality of Upper Albany Avenue.  HPA is delighted to have been asked to join the team.

Please follow our progress on www.facebook.com/hartfordpreservationalliance.

1 Hawthorne – a NINA restoration project

I last wrote about the amazingly complex and unhappy situation of the property on Fairfield Avenue.  HPA is completing a strategic plan which, when adopted and implemented, should help to solve this problem and others.  The Board of Directors has adopted a resolution to allow HPA to become the historic preservation “resource and technical assistance hub” in Hartford.  To become such we will address challenges thus:

1. Raise the profile of why preservation matters to encourage owners to seek advice as a first step when buying or owning property in an historic district
2. Recognize that the City of Hartford and owners of historic properties are to be our Number 1 customers
3. Consult on historic property guidelines as published by the Historic Preservation Commission under the Historic Preservation Ordinance adopted by the City Council 
4. Create a walk-in center where information, advice and resources are made available
5. Establish design consultation, construction budget and project management capacity to advise on site
6. Build a database of appropriate materials, costs, a construction calculator, where material can be purchased
7. Create a list of contractors and sub-contractors who have experience working on historic properties
8. Offer guidance on petitions and presentations before the Historic Preservation Commission
9. Link financial resources which support historic preservation projects, e.g. The State Homeowner Tax Credit Program
10. Create a revolving fund to facilitate access to funding for projects

The key is to raise the bar on historic preservation, to imbue in the City a philosophy that preservation matters and demonstrate that historic preservation improves property values. This is the mantra by which a livable community, one like ours with a tremendous historic fabric, thrives.

Your comments, questions and observations are greatly encouraged.

As I stood under a truly spectacular fireworks display on First Night, it was hard not to reflect back on a great resettlement to Hartford.  Much has changed, much is stubbornly the same, yet this city remains one I love and want to be a part of for many years.  For those of us braving the cold, various delights awaited the adventuresome revelers.  Carousel rides, ice skating, hot music, the Old State House family events but the best ticket in town was The Big Game in City Hall. One giant board game of recycled materials beckoning players to advance with various instructions on how many steps to take.  Beware however because the player had to accomplish activities in order to advance.  I went to jail!  My ticket out was to sing “Amazing Grace”.  All in great fun and a clever interactive game for laughs.  Hartford is so fortunate to have the creative talent of Anne Cubberly whose imagination invites us to put away our self-consciousness.    I got the decal and picture to prove my win of the Game! 

So too it marked the anniversary of taking up the reigns of the Hartford Preservation Alliance.  We are in the midst of a strategic planning process which culminates a year of looking within and without the organization.  Historic preservation has an important role to play in community economic development.  It is not just about saving the “gems” but strategically acting in a way encourage the City to cherish what is unique as it looks to make itself a vibrant and livable place.  Hartford has an astounding historic fabric, not all of which is pretty, representing a history of innovation and technological advancement.  This is a city of workers so that not all the historic fabric is genteel.  However, the buildings and neighborhoods represent a Hartford often called the “Silicon Valley” of the 1800’s. 

HPA is known and well-regarded yet an external survey points out that we have friends and supporters who want to know about what we do.  It is my commitment to make our mission one which brings us recognition as the organization linking historic preservation to community development. We have much work to do and many directions to travel.  2014 is to be a year of promise for Hartford Preservation Alliance.  We invite you to come with us on the journey – make suggestions and comments, question us, demand us to do more, stay in touch!