President Woodward Joins Dignitaries at Westbrook Village Revitalization Project Ceremony

On June 6, University of Hartford President Gregory Woodward joined Hartford dignitaries at Westbrook Village located on Albany Avenue for a joint demolition and groundbreaking ceremony. The currently fenced-off 80-building, 360 unit moderate income housing complex sits on 40 acres that abut the University via Mark Twain Drive. It was built post-World War II and had reached the end of its useful life. 

After the demolition of the complex is completed, Phase I calls for construction of 75 new housing units, 80 percent of which will be set aside for households with incomes up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). The remaining 20 percent will be rented at market rate. A separate mixed-use commercial component of the revitalization is planned for a 10-acre section at the southern edge of the 40 acre site bordering Albany Avenue. According to a Housing Authority of the City of Hartford media release, commercial tenants envisioned for that portion of the project include a grocery store, pharmacy, restaurant, retail store, an office and/or programmatic academic space for the University of Hartford, and additional space earmarked for office and/or residential use.

President Woodward is proud of the economic and quality of life investments being made in the city's North End neighborhoods.  Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who also was in attendance, said the Westbrook Village revitalization is part of a string of really important projects that will serve everyone in the Upper Albany and Blue Hills neighborhoods. University alumnus and State Senator Doug McCrory '88, M'95, whose district includes Hartford, said “These improvements send a message to residents that they matter. They will have a transformative effect on their lives and the local economy.”

(Shown above, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and University President Greg Woodward at Westbrook Village)