James Sánchez

New life is coming to Hartford as the city announced that Sacred Heart Church will be converted into a Puerto Rican cultural center! Please keep scrolling to learn why this is so important to our community.

Are you looking for a new insurance plan? Open enrollment is underway at Access Health CT to register, renew, or learn about different policy options. Please look below to learn more.

You have an opportunity this week to learn more about the state's plan to transform the Greater Hartford area with better transportation, improved safety, and a riverfront recapture.

These are the sections in today's email:

• New Puerto Rican Cultural Center
• Public Information Meeting on Greater Hartford Mobility Study
• Access Health CT Open Enrollment
• Apply For Flood Reimbursement Program
• Veterans Informational Meeting
• Happy Halloween

The cultural center will serve as a hub to preserve Puerto Rican history and honor our arts and culture. More importantly, it will serve as safe space for Puerto Ricans to call their own. I thank everyone involved for their planning and support to get the ball rolling on this project.

It's unclear when the facility will open because the city of Hartford is trying to find a company or contractor to help with repairs to the church.

• CityLink West addresses safety, reduces the number of ramps in the Study Core, and improves connectivity between neighborhoods and green spaces/parks. Lowering the highway would link neighborhoods currently severed by the highway and create additional developable land while improving rail and bus service that share the corridor.
• CityLink East proposes to mitigate highway congestion in downtown Hartford by relocating the I-84/I-91 interchange and creating a new bridge connecting I-84 and Route 2 in East Hartford. This redesign would separate local and highway traffic and reclaim the historic Bulkeley Bridge for local traffic, including opportunities for dedicated high-capacity transit facilities, separated bike lanes, and improve sidewalks.
• River Gateway connects Hartford’s central business district with the Connecticut River. It allows for equitable access to green space, would mitigate some of the visual and noise impacts of I-91, and create an urban boulevard to strengthen local travel options. In addition, a new bridge would connect the Sheldon/Charter Oak neighborhood with a new, river-oriented, mid-rise neighborhood in East Hartford. The bridge would prioritize bus, bicycle, and pedestrian travel while accommodating automobile traffic.
• Founders Gateway proposes to consolidate the I-84/Route 2 interchange ramps in East Hartford. It would open significant acres of land to potential development and provide opportunities to strengthen the local street grid.

Several early action projects would be implemented within the next five years for the traveling public to reap the benefits of improved mobility and safety while the four major components of the program undergo National and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act reviews.
 
The state’s vision has the power to transform our city and surrounding communities, making the Greater Hartford more attractive for economic development and improved quality of life.

• In-person: There will be an enrollment fair on Thursday, November 9 at the Hartford Public Library, Albany Branch, on Tuesday, November 14 at Hartford Public Library on Main Street, and on Saturday, December 2 at Noah Webster Library on South Main Street in West Hartford. CLICK HERE for more information.
• Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
• By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday,
  8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
• Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/

Do not miss this opportunity if you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare. Click here to learn more.

The Office of the State Comptroller is still accepting applications for the Hartford Flood Compensation Program. It is a $5 million pilot program that will provide reimbursement to eligible property owners in the City of Hartford who experienced flood damage on or after January 1, 2021.

There is no deadline to submit your application, but it is a first come, first served program until funds are depleted.