Norwalk Hospital demolition plan set for next spring
NORWALK — A more established timeline has been released for Norwalk Hospital’s $220 million expansion, including plans for a massive demolition.
In a legal notice alerting the public of its plans, Nuvance Health, which owns and operates Norwalk Hospital, said the eastern portion of Tracey Pavilion and the entire Community Pavilion will be demolished on the hospital’s Maple Street campus.
The demolition is part of the hospital’s $220 million renovation and expansion set to be completed by 2026, Nuvance Health spokesperson Donald Fantozzi said.
The eastern portion of Tracey Pavilion, which was built in 1918, and the 1953 Community Pavilion are scheduled to be demolished in spring 2023, Fantozzi said. The demolition is expected to last four to five months.
“Following the demolition, construction of the new pavilion is scheduled to begin in fall 2023,” Fantozzi said. “In consideration of weather and other environmental factors, we estimate the building will be complete at the end of 2025 and expected to open in winter 202526.”
While the demolition isn’t set to take place until the spring, Nuvance submitted the demolition notice months in advance, as required by the Norwalk city code.
“Norwalk Hospital remains committed to being a good neighbor, and we are proactively keeping the Norwalk community informed of the upcoming demolition and construction for everyone’s safety and comfort,” Fantozzi said. “As these projects progress, we will continue our outreach to mitigate the impact it has on the surrounding businesses and homes. The entire community has our deepest gratitude for their support as we expand our services and update our facilities to better serve them in the future.”
Within 10 days of submitting an application for a permit to demolish a building or structure, the applicant must publish in a local newspaper, send the notice to owners of adjoining properties and several Norwalk government entities, including the Norwalk Historical Commission and Chief Building Official, according to the city code.
Additionally, if the permit is approved, the applicant is required to “post in a conspicuous location on the property on which the building or structure is situated a sign at least 24 inches by 36 inches in size vis
ible from the nearest street or other accessway adjoining the property. Such sign shall include copy of the notice and shall contain the word ‘demolition’ in capital letters no less than 2 inches in height.”
The sign must remain up until the demolition is completed, according to the code.
The advanced notice is intended to give opposition to the demolition time to voice their concerns.
“In the event that a written, acknowledged objection, stating the reasons for opposing demolition
is filed with the chief building official within 21 days after filing the certification statement ... the chief building official shall not issue the permit until 120 days after the application is deemed filed,” the city code reads. “If no such written objection is filed, the chief building official may issue the demolition permit, provided that all other requirements have been complied with.”
The renovation intends to modernize inpatient care and expand maternity services, Fantozzi said. The new building will have a Mother and Infant Unit and newborn intensive care.
The new pavilion will
include a Medical-Surgical Unit with 90 private rooms and labor and delivery and infant ICU will be in the main pavilion, Fantozzi said.
Plans to demolish and rebuild portions of the hospital were first announced in June 2021, following an anticipated “surge” in births.
“While Nuvance Health is directing essential investments in this dramatic transformation, philanthropy will play an important role in bringing our plans to fruition,” Fantozzi said. “The foundation has already launched an extensive fundraising effort to help support the expansive project and programs.”
Norwalk Hospital President Peter Cordeau previously said the project was funded by local philanthropies and the hospital’s budget.
“The goal is to raise over $100 million from philanthropy and the remainder, somewhere north of $100 million, say $120 million, will be paid for,” Cordeau previously said. “We are not going to get a loan for this. We are going to use money from subsequent capital years. Every year, those are monies we use to buy equipment or renovate.”