Council wants urgency with Heart of Norwalk project
Mayor Margarita Rios and city council listen as city manager Jesus Gomez sets the deadline for the Entertainment District groundbreaking during the council meeting on Tuesday. Photo by Vincent Medina
NORWALK – The Heart of Norwalk Specific Plan update outlined a potential 30-year timeline to complete the revitalization project, much to the chagrin of the city council on Tuesday.
As the council shared their frustrations for the extended timeline, city manager Jesus Gomez told council members the groundbreaking for the Entertainment District is set for this November.
The Arroyo Group has Partnered with the city to design and plan the Heart of Norwalk project. As Phillip Burns, the principal of the project, updated the council, he explained the project will be a gradual progression with a goal for a significant transformation to meet the city’s needs and the project could potentially span until 2055.
“We hope for 100% built-out 30 years from now. While not all of the properties changed from what they are today,” Burns said. “A significant number of them are upgraded and changed with new uses and the vision is more fully realized.”
The group estimates that by 2026, with the Completion of the Primestor development 70 residential units will be created with approximately 23,307 sq ft of revitalized commercial space. By 2037 the project is estimated to have 50% built-out with 1504 residential units created, and an additional 86,625 ft. of additional commercial space.
By 2055 the group estimates 100% built-out with 3,087 residential units created with approximately 173,250 sq ft additional commercial space.
While the presentation showed a detailed timeline, city council members shared that 2055 is too long for the project.
“I really believe that if we talk about what it is that we can do sooner rather than later. Determine what is our priority, and what can our residents see come to fruition sooner,” Mayor Margarita Rios said. “I don’t have 10 years and I definitely don’t have 50 years. I’m serving up here and I have a sense of urgency so let’s get things done.”
Council member Jennifer Perez echoed the concerns from the mayor. She also wanted to communicate to residents additional reason for the three decade long timeline.
“I do want to make sure our community understands a lot of this property and this area that was talked about in the Heart of Norwalk district plan is not owned by the city,” Perez said. “One of our key challenges is that the city does not own the property and the best we can do is rezone, and encourage them to go in the direction of the plan that we have.”
To show the development and progress of Norwalk, city manager Jesus Gomez spoke up to share with council members the Entertainment District groundbreaking is set for November.
The Entertainment District will also include housing and commercial space, with an estimated investment of $200 million.