Preservation Magazine, a publication presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recently profiled the revitalization efforts of the Swift Factory in Hartford, Connecticut. A Transformed Gilding Factory Gives Hartford Locals a Chance to Shine, written by Nate Schweber, showcases the history of this former gold leafing factory and its transformation into a state-of-the-art hub of community resources and job opportunities.
“This is a place to be, from startup to scale-up,” said John Thomas, Swift Factory’s assistant program manager for real estate. “I love being here. These are my people. I love my neighborhood and I love this project.”
The revitalization efforts of the factory were led by Community Solutions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating “a lasting end to homelessness that leaves no one behind.” The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) provided critical financing in the form of a $10 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation and a multimillion-dollar investment into the project’s federal Historic Tax Credits (HTC).
Now, after more than a decade of planning, the Swift Factory is once again a vibrant space in the community. In addition to being the home of several local businesses, the Swift Factory will soon have more tenants.
The next phase of Swift Factory’s reinvention will include three new tenants: the $8 million, 15,000-square-foot Hartford Public Library branch, a Head Start program, and a Chase Bank branch focused on teaching financial literacy. The second floor of the new library will be NextGen Learning Center, which will offer adult education, computer classes, and social services. It is expected to open in 2023, says Bridget Quinn, the library’s president and CEO.
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