Council authorizes $500,000 appropriation to advance SoNo roundabout project

The Norwalk City Council on Jan. 27 approved a $500,000 special appropriation from state municipal grant funds to advance the SoNo roundabout project at the intersection of Wilson Avenue, Meadow Street and Main Avenue.

Councilmember Preyer introduced the resolution and said the $500,000 in municipal grants in aid will supplement $1,000,000 in city capital funds and a $2,500,000 community investment fund grant administered through the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). Ben Young of TNP told the council phase 1 focuses on removing an old rail abutment and preparing the site for future roundabout construction. Young said the design work is underway and staff are presenting preliminary concept plans to the public.

Young invited council members and the public to a public information open house at South Norwalk Elementary on Monday, Feb. 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. He described outreach that included letters to properties within roughly a half-mile of the intersection, flyers distributed through the school administration, and a newspaper notice.

Council members praised staff materials and outreach. Council President Josh Goldstein referenced a memorandum and encouraged residents to review it for technical details; Miss Young asked about the scope of outreach and was told staff mailed letters to properties in a half‑mile radius and placed a flyer with the school.

The resolution was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition in the transcript. Staff said phase 1 will remove visual obstructions caused by an old rail abutment and is being coordinated with drainage work by the public works department.

Next procedural step: staff will proceed with contract execution for phase 1 construction and continue outreach ahead of the Feb. 2 open house.