Committee endorses application for $1 million HUD grant to stabilize Colt Park carriage house

The Creation and Environment Committee voted to forward to the full council a resolution authorizing Hartford to apply for and accept up to $1,000,000 in federal Community Project Funding (HUD) for structural rehabilitation at the Colt Park Carriage House and Gardeners Cottage.

City architect Julia Jack told the committee the grant request is focused on stabilizing historically significant park buildings that the city has identified as "in dire need of structural rehabilitation." "This resolution has to do with a $1,000,000 grant from HUD that we are requesting approval to accept," Jack said.

The grant request is intended to make the buildings structurally sound and weather-tight; Jack said the funding will likely cover a new roof and exterior work and "not a whole lot of interior upgrades." The city plans a site visit and walk-through with the Hartford Preservation Alliance and community stakeholders the following Wednesday to refine the scope.

Why it matters: Colt Park buildings are historic features in a high-use park; the proposed funds would preserve structures that city staff described as vacant and potentially structurally unstable. Stabilization work preserves options for future uses but does not presuppose a final programmatic plan for the buildings.

Questions and next steps

Committee members asked about planned future uses; Jack said the city expects to ensure structural stability first, and any programmatic decision on long-term use will involve the Colt Park Foundation and the community. The site walk is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. next Wednesday and is open to interested council members, staff said.

Outcome

The committee voted unanimously to forward the resolution to the council with a favorable recommendation.

Votes at a glance: motion to send Colt Park HUD grant resolution to full council with a favorable recommendation — passed (unanimous).