Former Bowles Park redevelopment advances with proposed tax break for next affordable housing phase.
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Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam is asking the City Council to approve a 15-year tax abatement for a proposed 56-unit affordable housing development in the city’s Blue Hills neighborhood, part of the broader Willow Creek Apartments redevelopment of the former Bowles Park public housing site.
The project is being developed by Overlook Village Associates IV LLC, an affiliate of Darien-based JHM Group, led by John H. McClutchy Jr. The development would be built at 421 Granby St. and represents the fourth phase of the multiphase Willow Creek redevelopment on land owned by the Hartford Housing Authority. The apartments would be reserved for households earning between 25% and 80% of area median income.
Under the proposed agreement, the developer would pay about $64,885 in property taxes in the first year after occupancy, with annual payments declining to about $43,718 by year 15. The agreement also includes a clawback-style provision requiring supplemental payments if the project generates income above certain thresholds.
Construction is expected to begin this year and be completed in 2027. The developer has committed to Hartford hiring and contracting benchmarks, including setting aside 15% of construction costs for city-certified minority- and women-owned businesses and ensuring at least 30% of project work hours are performed by Hartford residents.
The developer would also contribute $90,000 for neighborhood development activities.
The city’s Committee on Assessment and Abatement of Taxes has recommended approval.
A public hearing on the proposed tax abatement is scheduled for May 18.
