Hartford Residents Voice Concerns Over Former St. Augustine School Building

Community Frustrated Over Neglected Property in Hartford

Residents of Hartford are growing increasingly concerned about the deteriorating condition of a former school building on Clifford Street, which has become a symbol of neglect and disrepair. The once-thriving Saint Augustine’s School, now abandoned, has been the subject of numerous complaints from local community members who feel the city is not doing enough to address the issue.

The building, which closed its doors in 2016, was purchased by Shmuel Aizenberg shortly after. However, many residents say that little has been done to revitalize the property. Hycainth Yennie, who serves as the Chair of the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group, expressed her disappointment with the lack of progress.

“It’s sad to see the building in such rough shape,” Yennie said. “We thought when he bought it, he would do something positive with it. Instead, he came in, cleaned the asbestos, and left the windows open. We thought he was airing it out... but he’s been airing it out for five or six years.”

Longtime neighbor Elmer Serrano, who has lived on the street for 40 years and even attended the school, shares similar concerns. He believes the property has become an eyesore and a source of problems for the neighborhood.

“I wish they’d do something about it, fix it up… Do something,” Serrano said. “Since it’s been vacant, the building has been an eye sore. There’s a lot of drugs, there’s a lot of homeless people going in the building, and there are young kids running in and out. They do all kinds of stuff, who knows what, but I feel like it's bringing the neighborhood down.”

The situation has sparked a broader conversation about blight and urban decay in Hartford. In recent months, the city has received grants aimed at redeveloping neglected areas, including downtown. While this is a step in the right direction, residents like Yennie and Serrano believe more needs to be done to ensure these efforts translate into real change.

What Residents Want

Community members have outlined several key demands for the city and property owners:

• Immediate action to secure the building and prevent further damage.
• Increased police presence to address the issues of drug activity and loitering.
• Public input in any redevelopment plans to ensure the needs of the community are met.
• Transparency from the current property owner regarding future plans for the site.

Yennie emphasized the importance of community involvement in the process. “We want to make sure that whatever happens to this building benefits the neighborhood, not just the owner,” she said.

Serrano echoed those sentiments, adding that the building’s condition has had a negative impact on the entire area. “It’s not just about the building—it’s about the quality of life for everyone who lives here,” he said.

Looking Ahead

As the debate over the future of the Saint Augustine’s School site continues, residents remain hopeful that the city will take decisive steps to address the issue. With the right combination of investment, community engagement, and accountability, there is potential for the property to be transformed into a valuable asset for the neighborhood.

For now, however, the building remains a stark reminder of the challenges facing Hartford’s urban landscape. Until meaningful action is taken, the community will continue to voice their concerns and push for change.