Norwalk Redevelopment Agency (RDA) was awarded a $2 Million grant from the State of Connecticut to remediate the 4.97-acre, city-owned Webster Block parking lot located at 55 Martin Luther King Jr Drive. Redevelopment plans were selected through a competitive bid process and awarded to Quarterra (formerly LMC) and include approximately 472 affordable mixed-income apartment units, 57,786 square feet of retail space, and 25,000 square feet of office space. In addition, plans include a pedestrian-only walkway lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops.

"The long-awaited Webster Street block redevelopment is about 10 months away from shovels in the ground,” said RDA Executive Director Brian Bidolli.

Public outreach begins this month. It will take 8-10 months to structure a deal with the City, followed by a 24-36 month construction period. Negotiations are already underway for a Land Disposition Agreement (LDA), with RDA supporting a 20% affordable housing goal. This plan will also increase parking from 650 to 1100 spaces.

“Cleaning up blighted properties that have been vacant for decades and putting them into productive use will ultimately generate private investment equal to many times these state grants,” Governor Lamont said. “If we remediate these properties now, we can turn an eyesore into an asset, revitalize neighborhoods, and transform otherwise unusable property into new space for businesses and residents.”

“The site was occupied by industrial land users in the 19th century and the site’s Environmental Site Assessment reports indicate contaminants in the soil. The site is used for surface parking currently, but due to its prominent location in the City, and proximity to the South Norwalk train station, a surface parking lot is not the highest and best end use. However, in order for the site to be developed, the soil contaminants need to be cleaned up so that the site is suitable for more intensive economic development uses,” said Jim Watson, spokesperson for the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

Related Links:

Governor Lamont Announces $24.6 Million in State Funding to Remediate 41 Blighted Properties Throughout Connecticut • Press Release

$2 Million State Grant to Support New Housing and Business Space in Norwalk • Senator Bob Duff Newsletter

Gov. Lamont, elected officials announce $2M allocated for Norwalk public parking redevelopment • News 12

Lamont marks $2M DECD grant for Webster lot cleanup • Nancy on Norwalk