HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford Land Bank has helped to fund and redevelop a forlorn and blighted wood-frame house from 1925 into what will soon be a three-family home.
Those who live on Enfield Street in Hartford’s North End, where the property is located, could call it an extreme makeover.
The mission of the Hartford Land Bank is to identify, acquire and redevelop houses in the city through both government and private partnerships.
Marcus Ordonez, the interim executive director of the Hartford Land Bank, said, “I think (this project) is just a big boost to the neighborhood to be able to have that blight go away.”
He then added, “the developers have completely renovated the house from the top down. There’s a brand new kitchen and bathrooms, refurbished floors, the whole nine yards.”
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam was at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the house. For Arulampalam, a project like this hits home – he is the former CEO and executive director of the Hartford Land Bank.
He said, “Being able to provide housing that is not just affordable but quality – that gives Hartford residents anything you can get in any other community right here in the middle of North Hartford is an incredible thing.”
Developer Tex Sampson said, “every block we go on we do this – we uplift the block and because it is the ugliest duckling on the block, the ugly duckling becomes the most beautiful house on the block.”
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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