Norwalk approves entertainment district specific plan
Primestor CEO Arturo Sneider explains The Walk specific plan at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. (Photo by Vincent Medina)
NORWALK – The Norwalk entertainment district, The Walk, specific plan was unanimously approved by the city council during their Tuesday meeting.
John Ramirez, the director of community development, said Primestor’s The Walk will consist of 410,000 square feet of commercial space that will open towards 2.3 acres of open space.
Businesses in the entertainment district will include food and beverage kiosks, grocery market, a health and wellness center, and 350 residential units.
Community members expressed their support for The Walk during the public comments portion of the council meeting. Residents who were opposed to the project used the opportunity to express what they would enjoy in the entertainment district.
Mariela Limo, a Norwalk resident, cited mayor Rick Ramirez’s earlier statement that more business in Norwalk would benefit the city.
“My friends and I don’t really come to Norwalk to have fun. I do find myself traveling out of town to Downey for their new entertainment district,” Limo said. “The mayor has said, ‘If you spend money in Norwalk, you’ll see the money being brought to the city,’ and I strongly believe that this project will put Norwalk on the map.”
Shawn Silva, a Norwalk resident representing the Coalition for Responsible Equitable Economic Development LA said the organization supports the project since it “responds to the needs of the community.”
“A project of this size has the ability to change a city like Norwalk forever and make this place better,” Silva said. “This developer has taken its responsibility for the wellbeing of the people of Norwalk to heart and really addressed the questions and concerns of the community.”
Marcus Gomez was one of the few Norwalk residents opposed to the project, expressing that the developer’s plan did not provide sufficient entertainment.
“Fast food, that’s your entertainment? You’re not building a local community playhouse like they have in Downey or Cerritos,” Gomez said. “The developers are coming over here and saying, ‘Hey, there’s another stupid City Council. Let’s take over, and let’s tell them what we’re gonna do.’”
Gomez clarified that he was not calling the council stupid.
Council member Margarita Rios addressed Gomez’s concern, asking Primestor CEO Arturo Sneider if a theater is intended in the specific plan.
Snyder explained they are working to add an outdoor amphitheater to the multi-use open space, and are working to accommodate environmental regulations.
Council member Jennifer Perez echoed the community members desire for more business in Norwalk.
“I remember that very first conversation with our city manager, asking what we thought our residents wanted. We heard over and over and over again, ‘I want shopping, I want entertainment, I want options here in our own city,’ and that’s something that I shared with Primestor,” Perez said.
After every city council member expressed support for The Walk, the unanimously passed the specific plan.