NORWALK, Conn. – “Bits and pieces” will be tied up near the South Norwalk train station in a $415,400 contract approved Tuesday by the Common Council, a Transit Oriented Development project that has not gotten nearly the discussion as the “heated staircase” down the street.
The vote for this was unanimous, even if Councilman Bruce Kimmel (D-At Large) did question why a project that includes lighting, sidewalk improvements and crosswalks would be so expensive. Department of Public Works Director Hal Alvord said “I can’t tell you whether it is overly expensive or not. I can tell you it was the lowest of the bids that came in.”
Other commentary included a “Blame DOT” sentiment from Alvord.
Kimmel questioned the price, saying that some bids were in excess of $600,000. Norwalk Redevelopment Agency Senior Project Manager Susan Sweitzer, who made the “bits and pieces” reference, said the work on Monroe Street included things not done as part of the state’s project three years ago, when the road under the railroad bridge was lowered and other improvements were made. This will improve pedestrian safety and most of the work will be done on the Martin Luther King Drive end of the street. “Lighting is very expensive, our fixtures are now approximately between $15,000 and $20,000 each,” she said, conceding that it is not a big project.
“The last time we had construction it was terrible,” said Councilwoman Sharon Stewart (D-At Large), a resident of SoNo Gardens.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) did that work, Alvord said.
Stewart said workers ignored residents, blocking them in, parking in the parking spaces and sometimes working late. The dust was awful and when it rained the mud was awful, she said.
“If it was us, I’d take credit for it,” Alvord said, drawing laughter.
He promised to have a pre-construction meeting and have people hand out flyers.
Councilman David Watts (D-District A) asked why letters wouldn’t be sent.
“I don’t trust the postal system,” Alvord said. “… I’ve found it more effective to have interns, a construction inspector or the contractor deliver flyers to the properties.”
Councilwoman Shannon O’Toole Giandurco (R-District D) asked if the newly paved road would be dug up. Alvord said there would be some underground work and some excavation, but DPW would try to do it under the sidewalk.
The $415,400 contract is with M. Rondano Inc.; $41,540 in change orders are also authorized, for a possible total of $456,940. Alvord said he wasn’t sure when the work would begin, but the process of writing a contract and such “typically takes a couple of months.”
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