PRESS ADVISORY

FROM: MAYOR HARRY W. RILLING

DATE: APRIL 7, 2015

SUBJECT: WASHINGTON VILLAGE PLAN
REVISION
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Trinity Financial is the private development firm selected by the Norwalk Housing Authority as the developer for the redevelopment of Washington Village. In early March, Trinity made public a project layout entitled “Alternative Park Layout” without consulting with the City or the Housing Authority. This revision is a substantial change to the Conceptual Master Site Plan previously approved by the City and involves the potential relocation of Ryan Park. If advanced this plan would require multiple City approvals. With this in mind the City has informed Trinity that as a matter of public policy the City will not seek to relocate a public park to accommodate private development interests.

The City of Norwalk’s approved plan successfully competed for the allocation of $30 million in Choice Neighborhoods funding. The HUD selection committee was duly impressed with the site selection, its access to necessary services, its demographic diversity and the promise of the neighborhood’s future. The committee was also very favorably influenced by the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Plan which involved many community groups, service agencies, City agencies, non-profits and for-profits to support and commit to the success of Norwalk’s application and this project. For these reasons and the desire to advance this important redevelopment initiative into construction, the City has advised Trinity to focus on the approved Conceptual Master Site Plan and that which has already been approved by the City’s Zoning Commission. Trinity has appropriately withdrawn the “Alternative Park Layout” from further consideration.