Norwalk officials detail plans for entertainment district enhancements

Norwalk Mayor Jennifer Perez and Councilwoman Margarita Rios give new details about developers’ plans to enhance the entertainment district dubbed “The Walk.” (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK — Norwalk Mayor Jennifer Perez and Councilwoman Margarita Rios gave new details about Primestor's plans to enhance the city's entertainment district dubbed "The Walk."

Primestor, a Los Angeles developer, presented the council with plans to redevelop the Civic Center, AMC theater, DoubleTree Hotel, surrounding businesses and the City Hall lawn on June 1.

Under the developer's plan, City Hall lawn would undergo development to include restaurants and businesses.

"The project is expected to include dynamic retail food and beverage along with plazas that can be activated with regularly scheduled community events," said Mayor Perez. "The public spaces will transform the former lawn into the vibrant heart of daily life for many."

Rios expressed concern over the development of the City Hall lawn, as she wondered how changes would impact future events.

"One of the issues I think is important to consider in a project like this is how much green space would we be losing or gaining," the councilwoman said. "That's where we hold our events. That's not going to be possible at the same level that our community is accustomed to, so where would we hold our events?

"I know that the developer has proposed a side venue where we could hold live concerts or other types of entertainment, but the events we held on a larger scale would have to be held somewhere else," Rios explained. 

Norwalk’s civic center lawn could be redeveloped to include shops, restaurants and housing. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

Under Primestor's proposed plan, the enhancement would include open space, shops, dining, and housing, according to the press release issued by the city.

"I've asked the developer to give the percentages,” said Rios. “If the developer is proposing housing, I want to know what percentage of housing will be there. If they're saying we are maintaining our green space, I want to know what percentage of green space we are maintaining. It helps me and the community get a better idea of what is going there."

The project is community-driven, as Primestor was given direction to get feedback from the Norwalk community about what developments they would like to see at "The Walk." The developer will reach out to the community through focus groups, door-to-door canvassing, surveys and meetings, which the city advertised through social media.

"The developer has received strong support from respondents to redevelop the Civic Center, immense desire for additional food and beverage options, and preference to dine and socialize in Norwalk," said Perez. "I am anxious to hear from our community on their thoughts for the development of the entertainment district."

"We want to get the community's input about the project and the development itself including, and more importantly, what they would like to see there," said Rios. "As a council, we can talk about it and ultimately it will be the council's decision, but not without the community having an opportunity to weigh in."

Mayor Perez detailed that the project would involve a public entitlement process that would take 12 months. Construction of the project would take approximately 18 months.