Sen. Duff Welcomes State Bonding for Norwalk, Darien Projects
State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced today that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve funding for area education, transportation, housing, tourism and public safety projects when it meets next week in Hartford.
“State government continues to invest in projects like senior housing, public education and our environment, because not only do these items symbolize the great quality of life that we enjoy here in Connecticut, they are also economic engines for the region, supporting jobs, educational excellence and affordable housing, I’d like to thank Governor Malloy for continually recognizing Norwalk as a strong urban community,” Sen. Duff said.
“This is absolutely wonderful news for Norwalk,” said Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling.
“I want to thank Senator Duff and Governor Malloy for their leadership on funding these critical issues. This will help the city move forward on projects that are vital to our community. This is great news during this season of Thanksgiving.”
The State Bond Commission is expected to approve:
- $3,406,784 grant to the Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk to assist with rehabilitation of the 44 unit Ludlow Commons Congregate Housing development. Funding for this rehabilitation was included in the 2015 state bonding bill, which passed the legislature on an overwhelmingly bipartisan 162-21 vote.
- $1,080,000 for various Norwalk “Alliance District” public school improvements, including but not limited to windows, doors, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, communications/technology systems, lockers, floors, ceilings, restrooms, lighting, energy efficiency, entryways, driveways, parking areas, play areas, athletic fields, various equipment, roof repairs and installation or upgrade of security equipment. Funding for these improvements was also included in the 2015 bipartisan state bonding bill.
- $908,250 grant for reconstruction of Norwalk’s Visitors’ Dock. Funding for this reconstruction comes from the Small Harbor Improvement Projects Program, which was included in the 2013 state bonding bill which passed the legislature on a partisan 120-57 vote.
- $483,663 for the Side By Side Charter School in Norwalk for debt repayment and school ground improvements. Authorization for the funding is included in the General Statutes.
- $87,142 for the Darien Police Department for the purchase body cameras and video storage devices. Funding for the body cameras was also included in the 2015 bipartisan state bonding bill.
- $94,476,091 for the ongoing project to replace the Walk Bridge swing bridge on the New Haven Line in Norwalk. Replacement of the 121 year-old Walk Bridge, which carries 39 million passengers annually on four tracks of the New Haven commuter rail line over the Norwalk River, is expected to cost about $530 million, with 60 percent paid by the federal government and 40 percent paid by the State of Connecticut. Construction is expected to begin in 2019. State funding for this project was approved by the state legislature in 2006 on an overwhelmingly bipartisan 179-4 vote as part of “An Act Concerning the Roadmap for Connecticut’s Economic Future,” a comprehensive transportation investment strategy that authorized new Special Tax Obligation (STO) bonds for projects such as restoring commuter rail service on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line, implementing the New Britain-Hartford busway, rehabilitating rail passenger coaches for use on the Shore Line East and New Haven rail line branches, and making capital improvements to the New Haven line branch lines.
The State Bond Commission is scheduled to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 in Room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
