MAJOR VICTORY FOR COLTSVILLE!

MAYOR PEREZ APPLAUDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR UNANIMOUS “YES” VOTE

---NEWS RELEASE---

(December 5, 2007)--- Mayor Eddie A. Perez is honored and proud to announce that the Coltsville Historic District has cleared a major hurdle on the road to its rightful place in American History.

Mayor Perez says, “In a quick, decisive, and unanimous decision, the Advisory Committee of the National Park Service said ‘Yes’.  This is the critical step that had eluded us in the past.  Now Coltsville is on the path to receive recognition as a National Historic Landmark.”

The Mayor goes on to say, “This is a huge victory for the Coltsville Historic District and for the City of Hartford as a whole.  History will be preserved and the spirit of innovation, economic development, and entrepreneurism will live on by forging ahead with future plans while maintaining the integrity of this national treasure.”

The next steps on the road to recognition:  The National Historic Landmark Advisory Committee and then the Secretary of the Interior, but optimism is abound!

Mayor Perez was part of a team of leaders who spoke at today’s hearing in Washington D.C.  The decision was expected to be swift, and it was!

Mayor Perez says, “Hartford is one step closer to preserving its place in history.  The significance and symbolism of the Colt landmark is well documented and celebrated.  The Colt Manufacturing Facility, through its cutting edge technology, helped preserve the union and helped preserve America’s liberties in two World Wars.  I think it is only fitting that it be preserved as a National Historic Landmark.”