Hartford seeks to buy property, boost redevelopment potential of block near Dunkin Donuts Park, a critical link between downtown and northern neighborhoods

The city of Hartford is seeking to increase the property it owns in a critical but now blighted stretch just north of Dunkin’ Donuts Park, an area seen as key to reconnecting downtown with the city’s northern neighborhoods.

The city has reached an agreement to purchase the properties at 522 and 532 Ann Uccello St. – both vacant lots totaling a little over a half-acre – from the House of Bread for $17,000. The House of Bread operated a soup kitchen and housing on the property for 13 years, until a fire destroyed the building in 1995.

If the city council backs the purchase, it would solidify the city’s control of the corner of Ann Uccello and Main streets, adding to the adjoining vacant lot and the former Arrowhead Cafe building on Main Street. both already owned by the city. A public hearing on the purchase will be held Monday.

Across Ann Uccello Street from the House of Bread properties is the historic, but vacant “Flat Iron” building. The building was acquired by Shelbourne Global Solutions LLC, of Brooklyn, N.Y. earlier this year.

This area is at the northern end of a block of mainly brick buildings, some with storefronts, including longtime retailer Salvin Shoes. The majority of the buildings are privately owned.

The city sees potential for future revitalization, forming a connection with the planned Downtown North project just to the south. The first phase of Downtown North is expected to break ground this fall.

“We want to work not only with the new owners of the Flat Iron building, but also the longstanding owners of the properties along Main Street to revitalize this area,” Mayor Luke Bronin said. “In some parts of this block it may mean new construction and substantial renovation. In other parts, it may simply mean facade improvements.”

Plans for the land the city is cobbling together at the corner of Main and Ann Uccello could include housing over storefronts, Bronin said.

The block “is part of the bigger strategy of reconnecting neighborhoods, making sure we deliver on the promise of Downtown North, a development that helps bridge the divide between downtown on the one hand and Albany Avenue and North Main Street on the other.”

There is at least one project already underway on the block, at 1279-1283 Main, known as the San Juan Center. The $1.4 million project is creating 10 apartments over two storefronts, and could be ready later this year.

The financing for the project includes $725,000 from the Hartford Community Loan Fund, $265,000 from the Capital Region Development Authority, $220,000 from the Connecticut Main Street Partnership and $224,000 from the center.

CRDA also has another $4 million intended for other projects in this area.

David Kozak, vice president of the board of directors at the House of Bread, said the organization had no plans for the Ann Uccello properties. The House of Bread relocated to a new building on Chestnut Street soon after the 1995 fire.

“When the city of Hartford approached us about acquiring the lots from us, we were excited to partner with them on this opportunity,” Kozak said. “Any proposed development project within the capital city that will make Hartford a more vibrant place to live and work is certainly aligned with the our mission at the House of Bread.”