Mayor Rilling thanks the State for Awarding Norwalk with $2 Million to Remediate the Webster Lot

Today, December 13, Mayor Rilling thanked and acknowledged Governor Lamont and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for awarding Norwalk with $2 million as part of their funding for the Brownfield Municipal Grant and the Targeted Brownfield Development Loan programs. 

As part of the Governor’s initiative to support municipalities and developers across Connecticut in the redevelopment of vacant and blighted brownfield properties, this funding will help remediate the Webster Lot site in Norwalk. This city-owned parking lot contains nearly five acres and is located at 55 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The funding will facilitate redeveloping this parking lot by helping the City clean up the site and enable future community and economic development projects. The potential for this project also aligns with many of the State’s goals to increase transit-oriented and sustainable development, while leveraging public-private partnerships.

“I want to thank Governor Lamont and the Department of Economic and Community Development for selecting Norwalk for this grant, allowing the City to move forward in cleaning up the Webster Lot and paving the way for this property to be repurposed to help boost our local economy and improve the quality of life for our community,” said Mayor Rilling. “This grant was also made possible thanks to a vital public-private partnership between the City of Norwalk and the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and Quarterra and is a first step towards allowing us to transform this property to enhance sustainability, housing and community initiatives.”

“This award for environmental remediation at the Webster Lot site will help advance a redevelopment project that aligns with the Agency’s strategic plan goals of climate sustainability, housing affordability, traffic and pedestrian mobility, and job opportunities for Norwalk residents,” said Brian Bidolli, Executive Director at the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency. “Many thanks to Governor Lamont, leadership at the Department of Economic and Community Development, Mayor Harry Rilling, State Senator Bob Duff and the rest of our elected officials who have supported this transformative project in South Norwalk.” 

The City of Norwalk developed a Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD) for 2019-2029 that includes priority concepts and strategies to enhance the quality of life, economic prosperity and sustainability. This funding aligns with the POCD’s policies to provide opportunities to lively urban centers that are safe and accessible to all, ensuring healthy, vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods.