$4 Million In Investments Announced For Downtown Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — The city's Wall Street and West Avenue corridor is slated to receive more than $4 million in investments over the next 12 to 18 months to improve the area's infrastructure, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling announced on Friday.

Investments will pay for the following:

• Streetscape and roadway improvements
• Traffic signal replacements and upgrades
• Pay stations and signage
• Milling, paving, and line striping
• Enhancements to the Yankee Doodle Garage
• Fencing for Freese Park

"These projects improve mobility and safety in the area, help create customer turnover for local businesses, and enhance existing neighborhood resources," said Rilling during a press conference while joined by area stakeholders. "It's important we build on the characteristics of the neighborhood and help bring more people into this area. We continue to work closely with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to identify key projects across the City that enhance the quality of life. We intend to carry this approach forward through the next budgetary process."

Among the improvements are the new angled parking spaces recently completed in the downtown area.

In preparation for the official unveiling of these improvements, the City worked with stakeholders for more than 16 months, according to officials. These enhancements were included in the budgetary process over a year ago, have gone through the proper approvals, and now are ready to be rolled out in the 2019-2020 construction season.

From the mayor's announcement:

Rilling was joined by members of the Wall Street Neighborhood Association (WSNA), Norwalk
Parking Authority, and other area stakeholders. The addition of reverse angle parking created
nine new parking spaces in the area and will help slow traffic through the corridor. Studies have
shown that backing into a parking space is safer than backing out into traffic, and allows
occupants to exit vehicles safely near sidewalks. A video demonstrating how to safely back into
the spots is available at norwalkct.org/tmp.

Since January 2015, more than 200 people have been involved in nearly 100 accidents along Wall
Street. Of these, there were 31 injuries and one fatality. Additionally, four pedestrians were
struck at intersections. The parking improvements come in direct response to requests from the
business community and factor in the anticipated growth of pedestrian and bike traffic.

“Efforts to improve parking for the Wall Street area is much appreciated by the area businesses,
residents, and WSNA leadership. This neighborhood provides a terrific dining and entertainment
experience for visitors who will be attracted to Norwalk by the SoNo Collection,” said Nancy
McGuire, president of the Wall Street Neighborhood Association. “Additionally, Norwalk’s new
apartment stock and easy pedestrian access to restaurants, entertainment, and shopping are
getting noticed by people looking for a terrific place to call home.”

In addition to the parking spaces and pay meters, new bike lanes were installed along East Wall Street near the Mill Hill Historic Park and Norwalk Historical Society. This addition safely expands mobility options through Wall Street. In the coming months, new sidewalks will also be installed throughout the Wall Street/West Avenue Corridor.

“In a downtown center like the Wall Street district, curbside parking spots typically produce
$100,000 or more in retail and restaurant business per year. With 18 additional spots, we have
the potential for $1.8 million per year for the area,” said Jud Aley, Commissioner with the
Norwalk Parking Authority. “In addition, new bike lanes and speed calming elements increase
pedestrian and cyclist safety, while providing connectivity between neighborhoods.”