Norwalk, CT (click on images to view larger, detailed PDFs)

Smith Street Redevelopment

M.F. DiScala has acquired former industrial land that lies between Smith Street and the Norwalk River. This long and narrow parcel was occupied by large industrial structures that were recently removed because the City of Norwalk condemned them due to their dangerous level of deterioration. Our proposal will develop the site with 80 condominium housing units and a small office component. The new uses will be composed with forms that recapture the effect of the varied and developed river edge that is a distinctive heritage of the district. The site development will include one and a half levels of parking below the new buildings, concealed by architectural treatment, landscaping and the natural terrain of the site. Additional parking that will be shared among the new project and public visitors to Mill Hill or the district will be created along a narrow band of surface parking spots, adjacent to Smith Street and at the foot of the wooded edge of Mill Hill that rises so steeply away from the River.

Proposed Site Plan

Open Space Overview

We believe that the comprehensive redevelopment of the private land must be accompanied by a comprehensive creation of an open space network for everyone to enjoy. The central feature of the area will be St. John’s Place, which will convert the broad areas of asphalt between the restored “walls” of Wall Street into an attractive piazza that favors the pedestrian. Special paving, lighting, street trees, kiosks, seating and other features will be provided along broadened sidewalks. A new riverfront overlook will be created on City land where the Wall Street bridges meets St. John’s place. A similar space will serve as a pedestrian entrance to Smith Street, which will be closed to traffic where it meets Wall Street. A Riverwalk will extend along the water’s edge, including a broad boardwalk segment along the entire edge of the Smith Street parcel. The Riverwalk will be reached from any of four pedestrian connections – picturesque steps, paving and landscape treatments will descend from two locations along Smith Street, in the narrow accessway that now leads to the Boat Club, and from the new outlook next to the Wall Street bridge, improved sidewalks, will lead up High Street and along Main Street, with trees, special paving and landscaping. Freese Park will be enhanced with new plantings and improved contours and walkways so that it can be a more visible amenity. Also planned is a stage that will be lit and pre-wired to allow for family-style festivals and small informal performances that will become a part of the civic life of this part of our City.