Hartford 2000 came into existence in 1997 and has evolved into an effective forum for neighborhoods to learn from one another, to develop working relationships among neighborhoods, and to provide the City of Hartford with input and assistance on projects and activities promoting neighborhood stabilization and revitalization. The City government uses Hartford 2000 as its principal mechanism for soliciting community involvement in decision-making on neighborhood development.

Hartford 2000 evolved from two events, which took place in 1995 and 1996. The first was the passage by the Connecticut State Legislature of Public Act 95-340, "An Act Establishing A Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Process". The second was the decision by the City of Hartford to include the NRZ’s in the development of an application for State Urban Act funds.

The Neighborhood Revitalization Zone process is a mechanism to revitalize neighborhoods where there are significant numbers of properties that are abandoned, blighted, foreclosed and deteriorated. The NRZ legislation makes available certain benefits, including expanded powers of eminent domain and waivers of state and local environmental, health, and safety codes. In order to take advantage of these benefits, a neighborhood must define its boundaries as a Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ), form an NRZ committee composed of all stakeholders in the NRZ, and prepare a strategic plan for the NRZ. The local legislative body adopts the strategic plan by ordinance and the plan then governs activities within the NRZ.

Fourteen NRZ’s have been formed in Hartford. They are Asylum Hill, Blue Hills, Clay Arsenal, Sheldon-Charter Oak, Frog Hollow South, North Frog Hollow, MARG (Maple Avenue area), Northeast, Parkville, South End, South Green, Upper Albany, SODO (South of Downtown), and West End. Five of these NRZ’s (Sheldon-Charter Oak, Parkville, Asylum Hill, MARG, and South Green) have completed neighborhood strategic plans and the Hartford Court of Common Council has adopted those plans. The other NRZ’s are working on their plans.

In 1996 the City Of Hartford had an opportunity to apply for State grant funds through a program known as the Urban Act program. Urban Act funds are intended primarily for capital projects. The City asked the NRZ’s to identify the most critical needs in the neighborhoods and to develop strategies to address those needs with Urban Act dollars. Those strategies were incorporated into the City’s application for Urban Act funds, entitled the "Hartford Neighborhoods Stabilization and Revitalization Initiative".

After submission of the application to the State, representatives of the NRZ’s decided to work together to educate State legislators and staff about the stabilization and revitalization activities included in the application and to convince them to approve the application. NRZ members from every neighborhood came together and, assisted by several City staff people, planned and implemented an educational strategy. As part of that strategy, they hosted a reception for State and local elected and appointed officials at which neighborhood leaders described their revitalization needs, explained the initiatives underway, and outlined how an infusion of State dollars would advance the revitalization agendas. Each neighborhood prepared a display to illustrate their needs and projects. After extensive discussion and negotiation, a grant of $7.0 million was approved by the Governor and the State Bond Commission.

The representatives of the NRZ’s found that the interaction and cooperation with other neighborhoods, which had taken place during the efforts to secure State funds, was an unusual and positive occurrence. Previously, Hartford neighborhoods were more often competitive than they were cooperative. The neighborhood leaders decided to meet monthly to continue the interaction. At the NRZ’s request, the City of Hartford provided a meeting place in City Hall and the City’s Assistant City Manager volunteered to serve as a liaison with the City.

NRZ leaders began to learn about their commonalties and differences. They met residents and business people from other parts of Hartford who were equally committed to revitalizing the city. They took positions on issues of importance to all neighborhoods and agreed to participate in citywide initiatives. As time passed, other entities in the community, such as the Capital City Economic Development Authority, the Capital Region Growth Council, and the Hartford Economic Development Commission, began attending Hartford 2000 meetings and requesting time on the agenda to discuss their issues or seek Hartford 2000 support for actions. The NRZ’s were listened to and acknowledged by state and local elected officials and staff and their ideas were respected and implemented. As a result of this experience, the NRZ’s decided to continue working together for the benefit of Hartford neighborhoods.

In 2000, Hartford 2000 established the Neighborhood Training Institute which provides training for residents and other individuals in community economic development, the NRZ program, commercial district revitalization, commercial real estate development, and other areas of interest and importance to Hartford’s neighborhoods. The City Administration and the NRZ’s, through Hartford 2000, jointly developed the City’s 1998 application for State Urban Act bond funds. The State approved a $12.2 million grant to continue projects begun with the previous $7.0 million. $4.0 million has been drawn down to date and H2K and the City are currently working to secure the second $4.0 million.

Hartford 2000 recently completed a year of organizational planning. H2K was assisted in this endeavor by the Annie E. Casey Foundation which provided technical services and funding for the growth of H2K. Also as a result of this planning, the State of Connecticut has provided a grant of $60,000 to support the work of the NRZ’s and Hartford 2000. The results of the planning process are contained in the draft document "Hartford 2000’s Plan for the Future" which was officially adopted by the voting members of Hartford 2000 on September 20,2001.