Norwalk photos: Loehmann’s demolition

Oh yippee. More apartments in Norwalk!!!

was originally the stop and shop , when they moved next to Bradlees currently Walmart on Connecticut avenue.

It represents “a maximum build out of its site under current zoning.” Of course it does. Developer of Waypoint built and sold out – now I hear “the place isn’t the same”. Toll Bros. will do exactly the same thing – build, take advantage of a myopic city, and then cut & run.

Solving the affordable housing crisis in Norwalk by adding 353 un-affordable apartments?

No mention of the cost per unit? Anywhere near the $800,000 per unit like POKO? If so, this will be a 315 million dollar development, minimum. So at the current mill, when finished, it should generate about (315m x .70 x .0236) or $5.2 million in annual property taxes. No doubt Mary Yorden is expecting all of that will go to her team.

Not likely. Not mentioned, but is this getting developed in one of our developer friendly “enterprise” zones? What kind of tax impact will that have?

Curious – fully leased, what is the projected annual impact on water need (use), water treatment (sewage), traffic, increased garbage, infrastructure, or pollution? Noise? Anyone care to even ask?

One thing is for sure, with this in close proximity to Waypoint, those folks inside better get used to dealing with constant noise and potentially toxic dust all day long. No rest for those who work 3rd shifts.

Once again – overbuilt and butt-ugly. What would you expect from our deaf, dumb, and blind P&Z team?

Across from Stew Leonard’s , at the intersection of Dry Hill and Westport Ave, there is a median. Maybe an apartment or two could fit on that parcel of property. Go for it Harry.

@David – man-o-man. For a guy who has repeatedly presented a series of wonderfully positive and radiant visions of Norwalk, with a steady diet of organic development with just a little smart thinking & planning, this is a rather bleak and dystopian turn. I see Snake Plisskin for mayor in 2030.

Not saying I disagree – as the great Gustav Avrakotos noted in “Charlie Wilson’s War” – the zen master always asked – and then what? Once all of these temples to excess & greed are erected, and Harry is but dirt & bones, what will become of our fair city? Like you – I will likely ponder that question from afar.

Funny what gets wide media coverage in Norwalk, and what gets ignored. I’ve seen several articles centered around Wilton’s concerns with this project – but silence in the sleeping city.

“The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold a virtual public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday for a proposed 1,300-unit mixed-use residential development” (this was in the Torrington edition – go figure)

Note – still “virtual” – as the boys have learned, nothing provides greater control – or let’s call a spade a spade – censorship of public opinion than just the right guy controlling the zoom.

I mean, we are so used to the 300+ and 400+ unit apartment developments – they hardly register anymore. The initial build off Glover by BLT was 700 units – this will get it up to 2,000+

Remember when these areas were largely filled with business – that provided jobs?

Now look carefully at the very real scenario presented by @David Muccigrosso above. When the bottom falls out – as it always does – what will these monoliths become?

Does anyone care – anyone – at all about this city anymore? Is every single resident working on an exit strategy?

Disappointed to see so much negativity here. This is a big upgrade over the strip mall that used to be there. Folks are going on and on about traffic, greedy developers, and more, but there are mitigations the city can and should implement to help. Get rid of parking minimums would be a great start. Anti vacancy statutes is another idea. People also complain about the high rents, but housing, unlike taxes, does “trickle down” in a sense. Market rate housing helps relieve demand for less expensive housing, and as new developments age, they become cheaper as the architecture and amenities fall out fashion. Norwalk certainly needs more housing, but no one seems to want to talk about that.

I sort of like this development, but, the Toll Brothers? Come on. They ruined Williamsburg. That kind of developer is so soulless and gutless. Norwalk deserves better. As a small business owner who rents near Wall Street, we desperately need MORE small businesses, cafes, mixed use spaces, and small restaurants to be welcomed in Norwalk. We need help from the government to avoid big developers and landlords further ruining the charm and culture of our city. I don’t understand why the city of Norwalk doesn’t do more to welcome small businesses here- and to be fair, they have helped enormously during the pandemic. But having more small businesses adds culture, variety, and interest to areas of a city that desperately need more of all three. Storefronts should not be allowed to sit empty for so long. There has got to be a way to help small businesses afford to pay rent that, at this time, frankly isn’t worth it because there isn’t enough foot traffic or free parking for customers in Norwalk to justify the prices. That, or ways to incentivize landlords for offering small businesses the chance to actually grow and thrive without price gouging. Perhaps it’s a longer game for ROI, but if the neighborhood continues to thrive, that landlord could make a hearty profit when they sell. I want Norwalk to succeed without becoming a gentrified wasteland. I think it’s possible. But we have to have more support from government, neighbors (YES, that means shopping LOCAL!), and landlords/developers who control their greed.