On Friday, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announced that the State Bond Commission had approved $1.55 million for the Brackett Knoll housing development on Westland Street. Mayor Bronin thanked the Bond Commission as well as the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) for supporting this important neighborhood project, located in the North Hartford Promise Zone.
With this new funding, Phase II of the Brackett Knoll Housing Development Project will be able to move forward, with the construction of 14 additional two-family homes. Phase II had been stalled for many years, despite the successful Phase I construction in 2006.
“This is an important neighborhood investment, and I’m thankful to the State Bond Commission and to CRDA for supporting this project,” said Mayor Bronin. “With this funding, we can deliver on a promise made many years ago to complete the Brackett Knoll development and help strengthen the neighborhood. What makes this all the sweeter is that the development company doing this project is a local, Hartford-based minority-owned firm. This is exactly the kind of development that we’re working hard to promote.”
Toraal Development LLC, is a Hartford-based company run by Hartford residents Abraham Ford, Albert Gary, Ralph Knighton. Potential buyers have been identified for the new homes, with at least nine tenants already vetted and ready to work with Toraal Development LLC’s identified mortgage partners. Buyers will be required to attend a CHFA home-ownership training program.
“I am thankful for CRDA and State Bonding Commission for approving the appropriate funds needed to complete this important Bracket Knoll Housing Development Project that resides in the Promise Zone. Pretty soon families will be able to call the Promise Zone and Northeast neighborhood home thanks to the quality and professional work of Toraal Development,” stated Council President Clarke.
“Many thanks to the Department of Housing, Mayor Bronin, council members, and the city’s Development Services Staff. CRDA was also very helpful in filling voids we had — People had been waiting for years and we’re finally there,” said Al Gary. “The project is aimed at stabilizing home values in the neighborhood and has accomplished this with the first phase. We’re excited for continued progress in phase two.”
