Construction on Homestead Ave 25 July 2011.

There has been consistent construction from September through December on the new Albany Branch Library at the corner of Albany Avenue and Blue Hills Avenue. We will be posting picture updates on the library here on our website.

September

In September, Capital Restoration, Inc. began digging to lay the foundation for the new 8,000 square foot library.

This is the entrance to the construction site.

Capital Restoration, Inc. clears space for the foundation.

View of the footprint for the foundation while looking towards Lewis Fox Middle School

View from inside the excavated space while facing towards Albany Avenue

October

In the month of October Capital Restoration, Inc. worked on building the forms for the foundation and pouring concrete.

This shows the concrete footings for the library, facing towards Blue Hills Avenue.

This image shows the wooden footing forms waiting for concrete, and the reinforcement bars placed to stabilize the foundation walls during the next phase.

An additional photo of the forms, this time facing Albany Avenue.

This shows the footing for what will become the front of the Albany Branch Library.

An alternate shot of the footing for the front of the library.

November

In November Capital Restoration set out to finish pouring the walls for the foundation, filling the foundation, and then moisture-proofing and backfilling the outside.

View of the filled foundation and moisture proofing while facing Albany Avenue

Another view of the filled foundation facing the library from Blue Hills Avenue. Note the drainage for the Library has already been installed.

Gravel is deposited below the backfill to enhance drainage

The insides of the foundation must be filled before the outside can be filled in, otherwise there is risk of cracking the walls. The reinforcement bars add significant strength to the walls. Also note the cut out in the corner for supporting the beams for the next phase of construction.

Backfilling complete

December

In December Capital Restoration, Inc. began attaching structural beams to the concrete foundation and constructing the library’s steel skeleton.

A crane lifts steel I-Beams to their designated locations. This view is from in front of the Lewis Fox Middle School, looking towards Albany Avenue

Corrugated steel materials to span the first floor is lifted onto the beams.

An alternate view of the construction

Another view of the library construction.

There is some good work underway at the Town Center on the corner of Woodland St. and Albany Ave. with CleanHarbors Environmental Services cleaning up the old Mobil site.

This tractor was digging a large pit facing the Avenue

The View from Albany Avenue across towards the town center

Attendence: William Galarza, Jimmy Flintroy, Wifredo Calvente, Keith Wood, Keith Tinker, Ackley Beaumont, Michael Curley, Jeremy Galeota, Anthony Rinaldi, Councilwoman rJo Winch, Marcus Jarvis, Patricia Neb, Precious Ross-Ellis, Christine Grant, Yvette Mosely, Celestia Simmons, Audley McClean.

Meeting- Meeting called to order at 10:20 by Marilyn Risi.

Minutes- Motion to accept the Minutes of May 13, 2010 by Keith Tinker. Meeting was duly made and seconded. Unanimous.

Route 44 Improvement Project

• Forward movement is at a standstill due to stall in DOT/State funding.
• MDC working with City of Hartford, looking to address sewers below Hartford.
• MDC at 100% in design of sewer.
• City at 70% with design for Rte 44.
• City is currently looking for ways to fill funding gap for the Rte 44 improvement project.

Next Steps

Committee discussed formation of a sub-committee to focus on the Route 44 Safety Improvement project. Keith Tinker volunteered to chair this subcommittee. Members who volunteered to serve on the committee are as follows: Denise Best, Keith Tinker, Councilwoman rJo Winch, Patricia Neb, Marcus Jarvis, Precious Ross-Ellis, Christine Grant, and Audley McClean.

A meeting will be calendared for early next week. Members will be notified of the meeting date.

Library

• The project is currently on schedule.
• First shovel for groundbreaking will be in June.
• The company that was hired to raze the library is currently investigating the condition of the library in order to complete their bid for demolition.

MDC

• Update provided by Mike Curley and Jeremy Galeota
• Edgewood Street
  • Progressing – Expanded scope to include all new sewer lines and complete street resurfacing curb to curb with new sidewalks.
  • Sewage work completed.
  • Plumber has replumbed all homes, working on extending new laterals to basements starting on the north side first. Currently 42% complete.
  • New water main installed.
  • Tree planting postponed until fall.
  • Burton Street project includes four streets: Irving, Magnolia, Sigourney, and Burton
    • Project includes new water mains, storm drains, and sewers.
    • CNG upgrading gas lines in on all four streets.
    • Construction Schedule for MDC is as follows Sigourney and Burton this construction season and Irving and Magnolia to be constructed in 2011.
    • Garden Street
      • Same phase as Burton with utility work, upgrading and connections. Not yet under construction.
      • Community outreach meetings held in an effort to keep residents and business owners informed.

Announcement

• rJo Winch will be hosting a Meet and Greet on June 4^th from 6 to 9pm at Mr. Pizza and Apron Strings.

Meeting adjourned at 11:30am

Design Committee Meeting
March 11, 2010

MINUTES

Attendence: Denise Best, Jeremey Galeota, Michael Mancini, Anothony Rinaldi, Herman Todd, Yvette Mosely, Keith Tinker, Chris Grant, Glenn Geathers, Luz Garcia, Precious Ross-Ellis, Glendowlyn Hall

Meeting- Meeting called to order at 10:15 AM by Denise Best.

Minutes- Motion to accept the Minutes of February 11, 2010 by Keith Tinker. Meeting was duly made and seconded. Unanimous.

Route 44 Improvement Project

• The Route 44 Improvement Project is moving along.
• The mayor and David Panagor are in conversations with the chairman of the MDC to discuss merging the projects together. Legal issues and logistics still need to be worked out but they would like the MDC to manage the project to affect cost savings.
• The mayor will hold a Safety Improvement Project meeting: Wednesday March 17^th at 6:00 PM at the Upper Albany branch library
• This meeting will be held to update the community of the project.
• Due to lack of funding available they have reduced the cost and scaled back the project.
• The mayor will answer questions and provide the community with the opportunity to voice their concerns.

Library

• The project is currently moving forward.
• Passed P&Z and received approval.
• Currently working on the remediation of the site. There are environmental concerns in the lot including contaminated soil that must be removed.
• Looking at Capital Improvement Projects for funding. Need approval from city council for funding.
• This is a priority of the mayor and he is pushing for it but this will also require lobbying efforts for approval. Glendowlyn has recommended sending a letter to council president Pedro Sagaro and council members.
• Date for ground breaking was originally scheduled for the spring. This has been pushed back to the summer awaiting approval from council. Completion in the spring of 2011.

MDC

• Edgewood Street
  • Progressed on lateral instillation work. About 70-80% complete.
  • Mid-summer completion date for laterals.
  • Sidewalks under construction.
  • No major issues.
  • Burton Street
    • Between Homestead and Albany. Includes four streets: Irving, Magnolia, Sigourney, and Burton
    • New water mains, storm drains, and sewers.
    • Community outreach meeting held on 3/4/10 went extremely well. There was good attendance from the community and the outreach team was able to answer the questions of the residents. This was the best turn out they have had and will continue to disseminate information through the outreach team.
    • Outreach team is contacting residents for permission to work in their basements.
    • CNG has begun and completed some work on Homestead. CNG installed laterals on Sigourney Street.
    • All four streets will receive new gas service upgrades. Contractor will follow with sewer work.
    • Anticipated construction start date: April. Two year construction duration. City will issue permits to start work.
    • Garden Street
      • In preconstruction phase. The work on Garden is different from the work done on Burton. New sewers will be installed through trenchless technology.
      • New sewers installed on Liberty Street.
      • Rehabilitating sewers on Albany Avenue.
      • Lining work on sewers will likely be the first act to occur.
      • Lining work not as destructive as open cut. They will go in through manholes rather than digging up existing sewer. This gives them the ability to uproot the pipes without causing major destruction.  The lining is pulled through existing pipes and then hardens essentially making a brand new pipe.
      • The new technology will add a 50 year life span to the existing pipes. It will also save a significant amount of money and reduce disruptions to the neighborhood. This task will be scheduled at night in order to convenience the business owners in the area. They are sensitive to the needs of the neighborhood and do not want to disrupt business operations.
      • Spring construction date: Mid-April
      • With respect to the new technology and its health concerns to the community this technology has been tested throughout 9 towns in the district.
      • Next step: MDC to provide MSD sheet for review of technology used for lining pipes.
      • Sewer Separation
        • MDC in design phase for 2 other projects.
        • Community meetings will be held in order to effectively work with the neighborhood.

Town Center

• Thanks to Herman Todd at Living Word Imprints the town center sign is up.
• Contract for environmental Clean Harbors is in the process.
• Fuss & O’Neil have been assigned authorization to do final remediation.
• Baldisar licensing agreement is on agenda for approval.
• By the end of the month should see workers making progress.
• Mafia blocks have been removed and the fence will be pulled out as soon as Clean Harbor can get out there.
• On 3/23/10 the corner properties on Sigourney and Homestead will be changed to commercial and residential use.
• Glen Geathers commented that he would like to see some mixed use retailers to serve the community. Possibly a Dunkin Donuts or another retailer that is convenience related. The plan would be need to be put out to RFP.

Demolition of Homestead

• American Linen Building has been demolished.
• Property owned by Ed Talarsky.

Community Vision

• Meeting will be held on April 17, 2010 at Milner Core Knowledge Academy from 9:00AM -1:00PM
• The goal of this meeting is to bring the neighborhood together to discuss a common vision.
• Denise hopes to break the group up into task force to resolve issues and bring the neighborhood together to leverage human and financial resources.

Meeting adjourned at 11:30

Design Committee Meeting
February 11, 2010

MINUTES

Attendence: Celestia Simmons, Anothony Rinaldi, S. Keller, Doug Gemmell, Kevin Burnham, Yvette Mosely, Keith Tinker, Chris Grant, Glenn Geathers

Meeting- Meeting called to order at 10:15 AM by Marilyn Risi.

Minutes- Motion to accept the Minutes of January 14, 2010 by Marilyn Risi. Meeting was duly made and seconded. Unanimous.

Route 44 Improvement Project

• The submission for 2011 application to Larsen’s office is underway.
• Public Works is moving along with CROG for the infrastructure.
• By next week the Main Street Agency will submit for the pedestrian amenities.
• The city is also working with the MDC and DOT in order to combine the projects to reduce cost. The use of one single contractor will allow one agency to develop a contract for the project. Negotiations between MDC and DOT are taking place.
• There is a way to go before the contract is put together. There is a need for money from another source in order for this to work.

Library

• The project is currently on track and moving forward.
• Construction documents are being prepared and a community meeting will be planned for the public.
• Expect to begin the project in the spring.

MDC

• Edgewood Street
  • Currently under construction on the North side.
  • There has been complete installation of both storm and sanitary lines.
  • Currently working on lateral installation. Eighteen homes have been re-plumbed to date. Once this is complete plan to restore the road
  • Burton Street
    • Progressing to preconstruction activity.
    • Anticipate spring start time.
    • Baldisar has been contracted.
    • Garden Street
      • Paganelli was awarded the contract
      • Preparatory work being done. Utility companies still working on movement of lines.
      • Outreach efforts will be put out to bid.
      • Sewer Project – Contract Number 2009-87
      • The project includes the installation of approximately 900 feet of 48 inch reinforced concrete drain pipe by the micro-tunneling and open cut methods
      • The installation of approximately 600-feet of 12-inch PVC sanitary sewer pipe via the open cut method.
      • The installation of approximately 200-feet of 10-inch PVC storm sewer pipe via the open cut method.
      • New building service connections.
      • The installation of a new CSO regulator structure with slide gate, rehabilitation of the existing combined sewers on Albany Avenue, Garden Street and Liberty Street as indicated, and appurtenant work.
      • The Work shall be located in the City of Hartford; in the State of Connecticut as shown on the Drawings and specified herein.
      • Coastline
        • Coastline will be moving out of 111 Homestead Avenue and Baltazar will move over to the corner of Homestead and Sigourney.
        • Baltazar is temporarily located at 146 Homestead Avenue on the corner of Edgewood and Homestead.

Town Center

• Closing has occurred with Exxon Mobile and the city now owns the property.
• There has been a request to meet with Clean Harbor Environmental in order to authorize a complete clean up of the remaining hot spots.
• Fuss and O’Neil will monitor cleaning in order to bring the property to proper commercial standards. The fence will also be brought up to the front of the property and mafia blocks will be removed.
• A new project sign is being manufactured and will be put out on Woodland.
• Currently working with Barbara McGrath to start advertising for a project manager.
• The city is in the process of recommending money for the position in order to help UADC get started and leverage additional money.
• The RFP is being finalized and environmental section has been added to the document.
• Complete history of the different projects that have taken place on the site will also be incorporated. Including test 1 and test 2.
• Subsurface remediation of the three properties is left for the site cleanup.
• They have received calls from a number of large developers. There is a big push coming from Rite Aid.

North West Jones School and Johnny Rodgers

• Received money from the Hartford Foundation to address the stabilization of the building. Contracts to be awarded.
• The CDBG application was submitted.
• Contact the project manager, Ralph Knighten (860-522-7687) for a report. Fred Smith, board representative, could also give an official update.

Meeting adjourned at 11:20

The next meeting will occur at 10:00AM at the Artists Collective on Thursday, March 11th, 2010.

Hot off the press comes this update on what the layout of Albany Avenue’s new Branch Library! Take a look at what our new community library will look like after construction, and how its will appear on the corner of Blue Hills Avenue and Rt. 44!

Upper Albany Branch Library Drafts

Mark your calendars for 5:30pm tomorrow to come out and see the plans for the new Albany Branch Library! The meeting will take place at 1250 Albany Avenue at 5:30pm, and will display the blueprints and timeline for the development of the new library on the corner of Albany Avenue and Blue Hills Avenue. Attached is the official flyer for the meet.

Albany Branch Library Flyer

The Design Committee meeting held on August 13th lifted spirits of those enthusiastic for a new library. It was announced that the project is back on track with a six million dollar budget after temporarily being derailed.
Read on » »