The Committee to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood, Inc. (CSS/CON) MONTHLY BOARD MEETING (Virtual, via Zoom)
CSS/CON DIRECTOS PRESENT:
Chris McArdle, President; Cheryl Zeiner, Director; Emily Wolfe, Director, Sheldon Charter Oak; Kathy Shaw, Director; Bernadine Silvers, Vice President; Donna Williams, Secretary; Kate Pacelle, Director; Jack Hale, Director, Church of the Good Shepherd; Michael Zaelski, Riverfront Recapture;
CSS/CON DIRECTORS NOT PRESENT:
Kevin Buckeridge, Resident; Mary Ramdeen, Resident; Anne Snyder, Resident; Kim Sinclair, Resident
RESIDENTS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND OTHERS PRESENT:
- Stan McCauley; Kim Gauthier, Hartford Next; Clarissa, Colt Gateway; James Collins, Dillon Place Apartments; Kenny Gonzalez, Hartford Parking Authority; Karen B [last name?]
The October 2023 meeting was called to order by Chris McArdle at 5:33 pm; Roll call was taken by Kim Gauthier and a quorum was present.
Emily Wolfe, Sheldon Oak Central
The MLK housing project is on track to close down financing and begin construction/demolition the first quarter of 2024. Delays were caused by fluctuations in interest rates and construction costs; will close at the end of 2023. All permits, public hearings, and city requirements are complete. Emily showed the renderings of the building. There are 155 units, townhouse apartments, modern, roomy with 1, 2, 3-bedroom. On the corner, there is a three-story building with elevators for elderly residents or persons with disabilities to have access. The existing housing was not handicap accessible. The existing mural will be moved to a safe place inside the green space during construction.
There is a plan for rodents. There will be extermination prior to and during the demolition. Dust will be controlled with water sprayers. There will be no blasting during demolition. Construction work hours are 6:00 am to 4:00 pm; there will be some Saturdays. Demolition will take three to four months begin in January or February and be completed by late March.
Discussion of Dog Park/Barnard Park
There was lengthy discussion about the dog park and the response sent to CSSCON by Grace Yi. The general belief is that the dog park is not a popular idea among residents and some city departments and that it has lukewarm reception.
Several members of the board recommended reaching out to other groups and organizations in the area for their feedback including the condominiums/brownstones and a homeless shelter near the park. Kathy Shaw indicated that SoDo and Frog Hollow NRZs are should discussing the Dog Park project and should be included. Bernadine suggested drafting a letter and giving SoDo and Frog Hollow the opportunity to sign it. There was consensus that the board should work with other organizations and develop alternatives to a dog park in the space in question.
The question arose about where the suggestion for a dog park originated. Donna Swarr will get the park plans to help develop ideas about what could be in the designated space. There was also discussion about getting plans for the Imagine Main Street development to see what other information can be obtained.
Kate Pacelle was asked by Chris McArdle to talk with Kyle Crupa and get his insights regarding the park. She will report her discussion at the November meeting. Bernadine will talk to Marion Griffin. Bernadine suggested convening a meeting with other interested parties for a thorough discussion.
Kenny Gonzalez, Hartford Parking Authority
Mr. Gonzalez are visiting all NRZs and wants to hear the resident’s needs related to parking and parking on the street. The HPA has worked with other neighborhoods to resolve parking issues. Kenny described the help HPA has provided to other NRZs. He explained that when parking is clearly designated enforcement can be applied to prevent driveways being blocked in.
Donna Williams would like to find out about one-way parking or a one-way street in her area. HPA partners with DPW and DSS for any permanent street changes.
Karen B reported problems at Global Academy on Edwards Street with people parking in the bus lanes for drop off/pick up creating a dangerous situation. Kenny will go to the location, look at the situation and talk with the principal about solutions. His contact information is Kgonzalez@hartfordparking.com
James Collins brought up the need for him to purchase parking passes for his residents. There are issues with nurses and people going to the stadium parking in areas meant for residents. Kenny will follow up with James. Chris feels strongly that property owners should not have to pay for parking. It is a potential issue for CSSCON. Kenny will keep Chris apprised of the situation. Kenny explained that other areas of the city appreciate the residential parking program, which protects resident parking.
Attendees asked for solutions to the odd/even parking days, creating a one-way street, and parking on trash pick-up days. Plans are underway to eliminate the odd/even parking days throughout the city and designate parking on one side of the street only. Changing a two-way street to a one-way street is a function of the DPW and DSS.
Announcements/Questions/Comments
Jack Hale reported that there were two conditions assessments done for the Church of the Good Shepherd, one funded by the National Park Service and one funded by the Colt Bequest. Both assessments came up with a lot of work to be done on the two buildings. The National Park Service concluded that to repair both buildings would cost $18 million.
No city updates at this month’s meeting.
Chris McArdle called for a motion to adjourn. Jack Hale made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Kathy Shaw. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kim Gauthier, Hartford Next
Accepted by _________________________________ Date ____________________________