Developer's Land Donation Eases West Hartford Ballfield Worries

WEST HARTFORD, CT — One of the biggest development projects in town history will also lead to a large donation to the town, one that will erase any uncertainty about four local ballfields.

The West Hartford Town Council at its last meeting in December unanimously approved a resolution allowing West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith to accept a land donation from the developers of the old University of Connecticut campus in town.

Council members' 9-0 vote ultimately means four Little League baseball fields (including a "Miracle League Field" for those with special needs) and an all-inclusive playground will stay as is, its future no longer in doubt.

Those facilities at 1700 Asylum Ave. previously were on the old UConn campus site, which moved to downtown Hartford in 2017.

With the campus gone, the fields and play area remained, with some concerned the developer's purchase of the site in 2022 could jeopardize the future of the fields and play area.

That future, however, is secured following the council's Dec. 10 vote.

The 1700 Asylum Ave. site is part of a massive residential/mixed-use/retail redevelopment of the 58-acre campus by the developer, "West Hartford 1."

The developer purchased the 58-acre UConn site in January 2022 and has filed applications under the names WEHA Development Group LLC and WEHA Development Group East LLC.

Ledwith said this donation is a significant one and something that will benefit the West Hartford community for generations.

"We are equally as thrilled to announce that the WeHa Development Group East LLC has generously donated the ballfields, including the cherished Miracle League Field, to our town," Ledwith said.

"This gift represents a significant contribution to our community, providing a lasting space where residents of all ages and abilities can come together to enjoy sports and recreation."

Councilman Alberto Cortes expressed relief the area's future is now secured, especially the Miracle League field for special needs players.

"I want to reiterate how special this little treasure we have in our town has touched many lives in our community. My oldest son has played in the Miracle League before," Cortes said.

The redevelopment project includes work at 1800 Asylum Ave., comprising 33.5 acres subject to proposed rezoning from residential to business (shopping district).

The working name for the project is "Heritage Park."

Facets of the development include multi-family residential housing; boutique-style retail components; restaurants; medical offices; a spa; an organic neighborhood market; public parks; walking areas, trails, and ballfields; and a structured parking component.

The 1700 Asylum Ave. component calls for the construction of four multi-story residential apartment buildings.

The wetlands permit for this aspect of the project was approved last January, with the town's zoning board expected to, ultimately, decide on this project soon.

This comes as the project developers will have a key West Hartford Town Council public hearing and a council decision on a rezoning plan for part of the 1800 Aysylym Ave. location.

The hearing was opened on Dec. 19, 2024, but quickly extended — without testimony — to Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 314 at West Hartford Town Hall.

For the minutes of the Dec. 10, 2024, West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

To see the approved resolution, click on this link.

From Dec. 18, 2024: 'Rezone Hearing For Massive West Hartford Development Pushed Back'