In July we took the City’s temperature on how Capital Improvement Project funds were being used. Two months later, we are taking another look.

Recreation

Previously, it was said that the Pope Park pond restoration work would begin in September. The latest information is that the plan now is only to dredge it and to go with the lowest bid. Still waiting on official word regarding the status of the restoration of ponds at Goodwin Park and Bushnell Park, but we hear that work on the latter should begin later this month. It’s suspected that the problem with the Bushnell Park pond is related to piping and its lining.

Goodwin Park

Work seems to have stalled, then resumed, and then slowed at Pope Park North (Baby Pope) over the summer. One City source said that the spray pool and playground construction would be completed by May, and a sign at the site said July. At the beginning of July, some playground equipment, picnic tables, and benches were in place, but the spray pool was never on during the school summer vacation. The border fence remains to be installed. Grass seed was spread, but never appeared to be watered. The only signs of movement on the site have been some work to the sidewalk surrounding. With children back in school, the $570,000 renovations remains unfinished.

Deeper into the south side of Hartford, the Goodwin Park spray pool construction was scheduled to be completed in August. Though this $190,000 project is unfinished, it has the appearance of being in the final stages, yet unlikely to get used this season.

The Hyland Park playground and spray pool are all set, though we’re not sure about the timing system being used on the spray pool here and elsewhere. A walk through after dark showed the water to still be on after the park had closed for the day. The Cal Ripken Field on this site is very much under construction, as one can see from New Britain Avenue. The Cal Ripken Field expected to be completed in August at Annie Fisher remains under construction.

The City is reporting that minor work on the South Green ornamental fence has begun. Changes appear minimal. City records are now saying that the Farmstead section of Elizabeth Park is going out to bid. Previous information was that the Farmstead was ready to enter the construction phase. Batterson, the park everyone forgets Hartford has, is seeing its hiking trail and camping area project go out to bid.

Education

Strangely, nearly all of the school projects have disappeared from the City database, with the exception of the ramp under construction at the McDonough School. West Middle remains under construction with its yard neglected behind the chain-link fence.

Other

Albany Avenue safety improvement remains in the design phase. There is now apparently no information on the so-called “critical” pump station repairs. The cemetery master plans are not even in the pre-design phase. The fire training facility on Fischer Road is in pre-design.

Big Picture

Items previously included in the City’s database have been removed without being completed, such as school renovations. Other projects have reversed direction. Some have seemed to stall.

Real Hartford requested a copy of the revised August budget from several City Hall employees, but has not received a copy of any changes that may have been made to CIP funds.