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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | July 4, 2022 7 Deal Watch Hussains aim to rejuvenate troubled Parkville building in Hartford By Michael Puffer mpuffer@hartfordbusiness.com R iaz and Gladys Hussain knew the Bartholomew Avenue building they purchased via Hartford city tax auction in 2017 had issues before they placed the winning $210,000 bid. What they found inside was still a shock. There were dead dogs – thought to be victims of dog fights – outside the former Hanson-Whitney factory at 169 Bartholomew Ave. Dog pens were inside. They also found a cock-fighting ring, mountains of construction debris and trash, and even an illicit marijuana grow room in the basement of the heavily-blighted, 90,000-square-foot building. It took more than 100 dumpsters to haul away all the trash inside the property, which sits on 2.9 acres. Despite the disconcerting introduction to the property, the Hussains still see it as a good buy, a building whose size, proximity to Interstate 84 and location in a neighborhood targeted for redevelopment will pay off down the road. Plus, decades of experience with smaller commercial and residential properties gives the Hussains confidence they can put the blighted eyesore back into productive use. "We have a history of 30 years renovating rundown and dilapidated buildings," Riaz Hussain said. "We have done it at least 20 times. I think this has been our biggest challenge, but we love challenges." A turn for the better Aside from hauling out the garbage, the Hussains secured the property with a chain-link fence. They've also hired a plumber to replace leaking pipes, architects to draft redevelopment plans and environmental experts to determine hazardous materials that need to be removed from the building. Riaz said he's already committed several hundred thousand dollars to the property beyond its purchase price. Riaz and Gladys Hussain bid on the property with the intention to convert it into apartments, but a discussion with Mayor Luke Bronin convinced them to focus on industrial use as part of a broader Parkville neighborhood redevelopment effort. Now they are planning a roughly $28 million project to create advanced manufacturing research, development and training space. That plan hinges on historic tax credits and a low-interest loan from the Capital Region Development Authority. Most importantly, the Hussains hope to tap funds through the city's $242 million plan to transform Parkville into a hub of arts, entertainment, manufacturing innovation and workforce development. The city of Hartford earlier this year requested $48.4 million from the state's new "Innovation Corridor" grant program. The $100 million fund was created to catalyze transformational, job-creating efforts in urban centers. The public money is anticipated to leverage further investment. Awards are expected to be announced this summer. "A lot of [the project] rides on the Innovation Corridor grant," said Michael Hussain, one of Riaz and Gladys' four sons – all participants in the family's real estate business. "We'd love to be part of a transit- oriented development and the arts and innovation project. The University of Hartford, Capital Community College and UConn have all said they are looking for space. Stanley Black & Decker is looking for some space. It really just depends on who we can serve best." The city's Innovation Corridor application identifies the Hussains' limited liability company as a key partner in its Parkville redevelopment plans. Rise and fall of a factory Metals-machinery maker Hanson & Whitney Co. built its factory on virgin land at 169 Bartholomew Ave. in 1919, and operated at the site until 1995, according to a preliminary environmental review produced by Fuss & O'Neil in 2007. At the time, it was reported the site had been (Top photo, from left) Michael, Riaz, Steven, Gladys and Andrew Hussain outside the former Hanson-Whitney factory at 169 Bartholomew Ave. in Hartford. (Rendering) A rendering of 169 Bartholomew Ave. transformed into an advanced manufacturing research, development and training center. HBJ PHOTO | MICHAEL PUFFER AT A GLANCE 169 Bartholomew Ave., Hartford Type: Industrial Size: 90,000 sq. ft. Current owner: RGH Bartholomew LLC (Riaz and Gladys Hussain) Last sale price: $210,000 Redevelopment plan: Convert into advanced manufacturing research, development and training space