Clay Arsenal Renaissance Apts.
22 Fairmount St, Hartford CT 06120
Clay Arsenal Renaissance Apartments is an affordable apartment community located in Hartford, CT which was developed and operates with Federal housing financing. The property utilizes the Project Based Sec. 8 Federal housing program to make rent affordable for lower income tenants.
Located just north of downtown Hartford, in one of the oldest historic neighborhoods, developed in the middle and late 19th century you will find Clay Arsenal Renaissance Apartments. The architectural style of the community is a mix of Italianate, Queen Anne, and Neo-Classical Revival.
No matter what the building material or architectural style, the structures maintain a uniformity of size and its spacing is uniquely remarkable. Edifices are close together, up against sidewalks and the streets, and “the buildings carry the eye along in unbroken rhythm” with the differing architectural styles adding character variation and visual stimulation.
Clay Arsenal Renaissance Apartments also known as “CARA” is a project based section 8 property consisting of 150 units offering spacious one, two, three, four and five bedroom units.
After years of bearing the effects of poor maintenance and management practices the property went to auction and was purchased by the owner in January 2011. The owner took an immediate interest and hands on approach to repositioning the site. Through intensive inspections, planning and hands-on supervision the property began to turn around. The owner identified wasteful spending and through intensive contract negotiations was able to lower operating cost, especially utilities and trash removal services.
Making the repairs and lower operating coat was only half the battle. The owner found that the resident’s outlook on the property was poor due to years of being ignored by prior management and owners. The owner began to hold regular tenant meetings and found that educating the tenants, listening to their concerns and acting upon their concerns began to change their outlook and he noticed a more sense of community forming which resulted in tenants communicating more with the office and keeping the areas around their buildings cleaner.
Shortly after purchasing the property the owner installed a state of the art security camera system which allows staff to view all areas of the property which has been very beneficial to the property. Just recently, the owner has made a substantial upgrade to the system which now allows remote viewing.
The owner takes great pride in the community and communicates on a regular basis with local businesses and civic originations to help promote community and to insure that CARA is being a good neighbor.
All of the owner’s hard work has paid off with better tenant & community relations, better curve appeal and increasing improvements in REAC inspection scores.