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February 6, 2020

New Hartford Land Bank executive director seeks to eliminate blighted properties

Photo | Contributed Laura Settlemyer is the first executive director of the Hartford Land Bank.
By Sean Teehan

The Hartford Land Bank has named Laura Settlemyer its inaugural executive director and she’ll lead the nonprofit’s efforts to rid the city of blighted properties.

A Hartford resident, Settlemyer is a veteran on the issue having served as Hartford’s director of blight remediation since 2016. She also worked on neighborhood revitalization projects in Detroit and Flint, Mich., when she served as assistant general counsel for the Center for Community Progress, a Michigan nonprofit.

Settlemyer points to the state’s initial $5-million contribution to the Land Bank and early coordination with Hartford city officials as evidence that there is real support for its mission. the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving contributed a $175,000 grant.

“We’re thrilled that we have the buy-in from the state and this grant,” Settlemyer said. “I think Hartford being the Capital City and the center of this region, there's no reason there should be blight in this city.”

The Land Bank’s priorities are set by its board of directors, but Settlemyer said the likely focus in the nearterm will be the city’s North End and Frog Hollow neighborhoods, both of which are severely pockmarked with abandoned and neglected properties.

Settlemyer sees the Land Bank’s role as playing the intermediary between the city, developers and community members. State legislators last year passed a measure that allows the Land Bank, through a court procedure, to hold some blighted properties in receivership, and begin renovating them without going through the process of foreclosure.

Finding responsible developers and owners will also be a key component to creating lasting improvement, Settlemyer said. 

Hartford Mayor gave Settlemyer a vote of confidence in the Land Bank’s announcement of her new role.

“In her three years with the city, she helped us reduce blight and create a framework to make an even bigger impact going forward,” Bronin said. “The city and the Land Bank will work closely not only to get properties fixed up, but also to get them into the hands of residents.”

By Settlemyer’s calculations, Hartford could eliminate its blight problem altogether with a $25 to $30 million investment. And solving the problem completely is the overriding goal.

“No city resident should have to live next to a blighted property,” Settlemyer said.

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