Project receives grant for 200unit mixed-use development
NORWALK — A 200-unit project has received a $1.3 million state grant to remediate a South Norwalk property for the mixed-use and mixed-income transit oriented development.
This grant was a part of $23.8 million in state funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program being allocated across 22 properties across 15 towns.
Projects selected targeted economic development, job growth and aid housing projects. These projects should create approximately 915 jobs and 811 housing units, including 223 affordable units across the state, according to the governor’s office.
“It makes no sense to have old, polluted, blighted properties sitting vacant for decades when we could be using this land to grow new businesses and create new housing,” Gov. Ned Lamont said. “This state program enables us to partner with municipalities and developers to bring these lifeless properties back from the dead.”
In April, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the sale of the city’s parking lot near the South Norwalk station, for $4.6 million to Spinnaker Real Estate Partners for the 200-unit apartment complex with 260 parking spots. Spinnaker’s development is under a Land Dispositions Agreement with the city which requires them to include 60 public parking spaces in the development’s garage to make up for the lost public parking spots.
Spinnaker’s proposed building would be on the same block as some of its other apartment complexes: The Platform Sono, which was completed in 2020, and the Shirt Factory Lofts. Both are across the street from the South Norwalk station.
In 2022, the city received a $6 million grant to improve the infrastructure
around South Norwalk train station.
“By investing in infrastructure and streetscape, such as enhancing traffic safety through new sidewalks, mitigating stormwater runoff to prevent flooding, and planting more trees, this critical infrastructure project will increase livability and add to the vibrancy of our city,” Mayor Harry Rilling said when the grant was announced last year. “This initiative also allocates funds toward the preservation of existing affordable housing, supporting our vision of making the city a more accessible and equitable place to work and live.”