(Norwalk, Conn.) Today, Mayor Rilling announced that he is working with the Norwalk Historical Commission and his Legal Department to move forward with the strictest penalties possible in response to the illegal demolition that took place on Saturday, October 29th at 21 Willow Street in Norwalk, which is considered a historic building.
“I am disgusted by this contractor’s actions and want to ensure he knows that when someone violates the City’s requirements to issue a demolition permit or get a proper demolition license, there are consequences,” said Mayor Rilling. “What he’s taken from us was more than just a building, it was an integral part of Norwalk’s history. In coordination with the Norwalk Historical Commission and our Legal Department, we plan to pursue this matter to the fullest extent of the law, including potential civil and criminal penalties."
On Saturday, October 29, the City got a call asking if we knew about the demolition taking place on 21 Willow Street. While the contractor had a permit to renovate the second floor, a demolition permit was never issued. Upon getting the call on Saturday, Bill Ireland, the City’s Chief Building Official, immediately went to the site to ascertain what was going on. Ireland saw that the illegal demolition was underway and issued an immediate stop work order. A no-work situation remains in effect.
The contractor was not a licensed demolition contractor. These serious violations are currently under review by the City of Norwalk’s Legal Department.
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