AHNA Highpoints of the past 25 years
The Asylum Hill Problem Solving Committee met for the first time on January 10th 1995. It was an organizational meeting only and more than 50 people attended at Connecticut Mutual. They eventually agreed to meet monthly.
Later that year the City voted to adopt the new State NRZ statute (chapter118 sec7-600) for Hartford and the Committee with the assistance of the Comprehensive Communities Partnership began the work of becoming a Neighborhood Revitalization Zone in which the zone was all of Asylum Hill.
On March 2nd 1998 the completed plan was presented at a meeting and adopted. It was later accepted by the State and approved by Hartford City Council.
The Asylum Hill Problem Solving Committee (AHPSC) became The Asylum Hill Problem Solving Revitalization Association (AHPSRA) and incorporated as such June 15th 2001.
Soon thereafter AHPSRA began to work on a revised strategic plan with more attention to housing in part brought about by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority granting low income tax credits to several properties in Asylum Hill. In 2001 with the assistance of the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union AHPSRA joined in a suit against Gary E. King President and Executive Director of CHFA. In 2006 the Connecticut Supreme Court found against AHPSRA et al but not on the merits of the case.
Later that year the City voted to adopt the new State NRZ statute (chapter118 sec7-600) for Hartford and the Committee with the assistance of the Comprehensive Communities Partnership began the work of becoming a Neighborhood Revitalization Zone in which the zone was all of Asylum Hill.
On March 2nd 1998 the completed plan was presented at a meeting and adopted. It was later accepted by the State and approved by Hartford City Council.
The Asylum Hill Problem Solving Committee (AHPSC) became The Asylum Hill Problem Solving Revitalization Association (AHPSRA) and incorporated as such June 15th 2001.
Soon thereafter AHPSRA began to work on a revised strategic plan with more attention to housing in part brought about by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority granting low income tax credits to several properties in Asylum Hill. In 2001 with the assistance of the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union AHPSRA joined in a suit against Gary E. King President and Executive Director of CHFA. In 2006 the Connecticut Supreme Court found against AHPSRA et al but not on the merits of the case.
During the last 25 years:
1995
Fifty people come together at Connecticut Mutual to form the Asylum Hill Problem Solving Committee.
Six “Welcome to Asylum Hill” signs are designed and created by Barbara Robbins, and erected by the City in six locations at the border streets of Asylum Hill. Two remain.
1998
The Asylum Hill Problem Solving and Revitalization Association first strategic plan for the neighborhood was adopted, later approved by Hartford City Council and accepted by the State.
2001
The Committee becomes The Asylum Hill Problem Solving Revitalization Association and incorporates as such.
First Strategic Plan is developed and approved.
2001-2002
AHPSRA joined lawsuit against the CT Housing Finance Authority in an effort to provide low income tax credits. The lawsuit was lost on standing, but not because of its merit.
2003-04
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN) purchases and renovates an office building at 1049 Asylum Ave (Pictures available before and after renovation).
The “Victorian Lady”, a brick home residing on Aetna Property, is saved from demolition and moves from 43 Sigourney St to an empty lot at 21 Ashley St (Photos from the move are available)
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford celebrates the completion of a new Asylum Hill Clubhouse and Hartford Boys & Girls Clubs office at 170 Sigourney St. (Photos from the event available)
2009
Liam McGee becomes the new CEO of The Hartford and pledges $7,000,000 over a 5-year period to invest in Asylum Hill and to demolish Capitol West building (Photo available from before and during, also the physical letter A)
AHPSRA becomes AHNA
Ten-year Strategic Plan is adopted.
2010-present
South Marshall St block parties are organized and implemented on South Marshall St
2011
AHNA receives its 501c3 tax status from IRS.
Saint Francis Hospital Emergency Dept. moves into the new John T O’Connell Tower on Ashley St. The Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis opens in 2013 at the former Emergency Dept. site
2012
The crumbling Capitol West building gets demolished and beautiful open space is created.
The Urban Land Institute Provides a Technical Assistance Panel to look at the Farmington Ave Corridor.
Habitat for Humanity, with the generous support of Aetna, constructs the first of 22 homes on S. Marshall St
2013
Harwood Study gets released. Backed by The Hartford and the United Way of Central and Northeastern CT, report outlines ways the neighborhood can revitalize itself.
The Curtis D. Robinson Center is opened in the Urban League of Greater Hartford building on Woodland St
AHNA helps keep Flower St open (opposed to D.O.T.)
2013-2014
AHNA partners with the Hartford Public Library to help welcome recent immigrants, “New Voices of AH” public program held at CT Public Broadcasting Network
2014
AHNA hosts a month-long series of artistic offerings at several AH locations
Neighborhood residents begin meeting with planners to determine best options for I-84 re-design
2015
CT FasTrak opens with stations at Hawthorn Street and Union Station.
2016
West Middle School opens in September following a $54.6 million renovation and expansion project.
2017
Wheeler Clinic opens five-story and $5 million multi-service health center on Woodland Street
2018
AHNA celebrates its 20th anniversary with a Gala at The Hartford
2020
Second ten-year Strategic Plan, with 8 task forces, starts being developed, and is approved in 2022
2021-present
AHNA Green Committee implements Green Energy Fair in October
Hartford Love Your Block grants are awarded to Asylum Hill projects, i.e. mural painted on laundromat wall (Marshall & Farmington), pollinator gardens and composting tumblers
2022
DominGo! takes place on Farmington Ave, after months of planning with the City
2022-2023
Thorough tree assessment in AH shows 18% tree canopy coverage
Summer 2023
Asylum Hill celebration on lawn at Mark Twain
Fall 2023
North Branch of Park River, invasive plants removed in designated areas
1995
Fifty people come together at Connecticut Mutual to form the Asylum Hill Problem Solving Committee.
Six “Welcome to Asylum Hill” signs are designed and created by Barbara Robbins, and erected by the City in six locations at the border streets of Asylum Hill. Two remain.
1998
The Asylum Hill Problem Solving and Revitalization Association first strategic plan for the neighborhood was adopted, later approved by Hartford City Council and accepted by the State.
2001
The Committee becomes The Asylum Hill Problem Solving Revitalization Association and incorporates as such.
First Strategic Plan is developed and approved.
2001-2002
AHPSRA joined lawsuit against the CT Housing Finance Authority in an effort to provide low income tax credits. The lawsuit was lost on standing, but not because of its merit.
2003-04
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN) purchases and renovates an office building at 1049 Asylum Ave (Pictures available before and after renovation).
The “Victorian Lady”, a brick home residing on Aetna Property, is saved from demolition and moves from 43 Sigourney St to an empty lot at 21 Ashley St (Photos from the move are available)
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford celebrates the completion of a new Asylum Hill Clubhouse and Hartford Boys & Girls Clubs office at 170 Sigourney St. (Photos from the event available)
2009
Liam McGee becomes the new CEO of The Hartford and pledges $7,000,000 over a 5-year period to invest in Asylum Hill and to demolish Capitol West building (Photo available from before and during, also the physical letter A)
AHPSRA becomes AHNA
Ten-year Strategic Plan is adopted.
2010-present
South Marshall St block parties are organized and implemented on South Marshall St
2011
AHNA receives its 501c3 tax status from IRS.
Saint Francis Hospital Emergency Dept. moves into the new John T O’Connell Tower on Ashley St. The Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis opens in 2013 at the former Emergency Dept. site
2012
The crumbling Capitol West building gets demolished and beautiful open space is created.
The Urban Land Institute Provides a Technical Assistance Panel to look at the Farmington Ave Corridor.
Habitat for Humanity, with the generous support of Aetna, constructs the first of 22 homes on S. Marshall St
2013
Harwood Study gets released. Backed by The Hartford and the United Way of Central and Northeastern CT, report outlines ways the neighborhood can revitalize itself.
The Curtis D. Robinson Center is opened in the Urban League of Greater Hartford building on Woodland St
AHNA helps keep Flower St open (opposed to D.O.T.)
2013-2014
AHNA partners with the Hartford Public Library to help welcome recent immigrants, “New Voices of AH” public program held at CT Public Broadcasting Network
2014
AHNA hosts a month-long series of artistic offerings at several AH locations
Neighborhood residents begin meeting with planners to determine best options for I-84 re-design
2015
CT FasTrak opens with stations at Hawthorn Street and Union Station.
2016
West Middle School opens in September following a $54.6 million renovation and expansion project.
2017
Wheeler Clinic opens five-story and $5 million multi-service health center on Woodland Street
2018
AHNA celebrates its 20th anniversary with a Gala at The Hartford
2020
Second ten-year Strategic Plan, with 8 task forces, starts being developed, and is approved in 2022
2021-present
AHNA Green Committee implements Green Energy Fair in October
Hartford Love Your Block grants are awarded to Asylum Hill projects, i.e. mural painted on laundromat wall (Marshall & Farmington), pollinator gardens and composting tumblers
2022
DominGo! takes place on Farmington Ave, after months of planning with the City
2022-2023
Thorough tree assessment in AH shows 18% tree canopy coverage
Summer 2023
Asylum Hill celebration on lawn at Mark Twain
Fall 2023
North Branch of Park River, invasive plants removed in designated areas