The award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning was created to recognize the remarkable teaching that sets the University of Hartford apart from other institutions. In honor of faculty members who have shown exceptional dedication, innovaction, and effectiveness in their teaching as well as extensive interaction with students, the awards are given in recognition of recent and specific achievements in teaching.

Margery Steinberg receives her award

“Dr. Margery Steinberg has made it her mission to promote the importance of service learning. In 2002 she introduced the Micro Business Incubator program to support the work of the Upper Albany Main Street program.

Exemplifying the mission of the University as a private university with a public purpose, this service-learning course involves students from disciplines across campus, including the Barney School of Business, the Hartford Art School, and the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. Students work on site at micro businesses in the Upper Albany enighborhood of Hartford, providing business owners with one-on-one assistance with business plans, marketing, technology, graphic design, financial management, and other business areas. They assist the business owners while learning about themselves and about diversity.

The program has enriched the learning experience for all students involved, making a positive impact on their academic and personal growth, while playing a major role in the economic development of the Upper Albany neighborhood.” – Faculty Award Ceremony, Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Tom Condon published an editorial advocating for the businesses in the North End during construction. Thank you Tom!!

Rick Green published an article in this morning’s Hartford Courant that hit home with many of the local businesses in Upper Albany. Many thanks go out to Rick for being so concerned with the well being of our neighborhood!

Baltazar completed an interesting installation at Sigourney Street and Albany Ave, and we’ve brought some photos for you to see just how it looked!

Doghouse intersection close up

Zoomed out a little bit, the pit was about 20 feet deep

Concrete truck filling in the pit

MDC responded to requests to clean a clogged catch basin by dispatching a large vacuum truck to clear the debris. The catch basin had been clogged for a long while beforehand.

MDC Vacuum Catch Basin Cleaner

The MDC contracted with Insituform Technologies, Inc. for sewer rehabilitation in the Upper Albany area. The work was completed using a special “no dig” method, which is used to repair the old sewer without the need to dig up the street. The contractor used a flexible lining material and placed in in the sewer pipe. After applying heat, it will become a rigid reinforcement for the existing pipe and last for more than 50 years.

The apparatus used for steaming the pipe

The Steam escaping the other end.

The Center for Urban Research Education & Training, CURET, had its ‘Grand Open House Celebration & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony” yesterday, June 17th, at 5pm. This wonderful event had a huge turnout, and doubled as a celebration of the Caribbean Heritage Month of June. Many notable public figures and important guests were present, and everyone was enjoying themselves and the atmosphere. CURET has been helping to educate the local community in literacy and computer skills, and has been a great asset to our corridor. Congratulations to CURET.

Outside of CURET's renovated building

Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson introduces Mayor Eddie Perez for a speech

Local troop 1443 impresses the crowd with their organization

The Caribbean American Dance Company puts on a great show before the food was served

Yesterday was the Connecticut Main Street (CMS) Awards Ceremony for 2010 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. We would like to congratulate the Chrysalis Center for winning the 2010 CMS award for the Best Adaptive Reuse of A Building for their restoration of the Sealtest building on Homestead Avenue! Their new home is absolutely beautiful, and a great asset to our city.

This was the invitation to the Connecticut Main Street Gala event in Bridgeport

These select organizations and individuals were chosen for their outstanding work over the course of this past year. Congratulations to them!

Chrysalis's Associate Director Anthony Hebert (2nd from right) and Director of Development & Community Relations Maryellen Shuckerow (Far right) accept their award for Best Adaptive Reuse of a Building from Connecticut Main Street's Directors

This is the new Chrysalis Center on Homestead Avenue. The angle is from the back parking lot looking out towards Homestead.

This is the Sealtest building before it was renovated by Chrysalis shot from across Homestead Avenue.

Baltazar is hard at work continuing the installation of soldier piles and retaining walls to shore the underground utilities. Connecting as 12″ ductile iron pipe from Burton Street to Albany Avenue where there is a 24″ sewer main pipe.

The outside of the pit that's been dug on the corner of Burton St. and Albany Ave.

This is the inside of the pit. The concrete cylinder on the right is a manhole to the storm sewer.

This is the pit from the other side of the street.

CNG was hard at work today as well with their High Pressure Lines on Burton Street. There are some beautiful gardens, and CNG is being extra careful working around them.

High pressure lines span from the main to either side of Burton Street. MDC Community Liason Jeff King discusses the work with a resident on the sidewalk.