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NORWALK, Conn. Gov. Dannel Malloy had words for a Norwalk developer Thursday: "Get the damn thing going, for God's sakes."
The governor was touring Wall Street Place, a long-delayed complex on the corner of Wall Street and Isaac Street, with Poko Partners Ken Olsen and state Sen. Bob Duff.
The developer is the recent winner of a $5 million urban act grant, which Olsen had said he needed to move ahead.
"Now that you cut me this $5 million check, that's it," Olsen replied to Malloy's quip. "Thank you for the check."
The complex was originally a mix of condominiums and rentals, Olsen told the governor. Phase 1, the recipient of the grant, will feature 40 affordable housing units and 60 units renting at market rates, he said. Phase 2 will be "almost all ownership," Olsen said.
"We continue to have a housing problem in the state of Connecticut because the state underinvested in building housing, particularly affordable housing, for a long period of time," Malloy said, adding that his administration has the biggest commitment to affordable housing the state has seen in 30 years.
The state is spending $500 million on affordable housing, Malloy said, including "$300 million specifically allocated to rehab the state sponsored housing in the state, which has been allowed to deteriorate."
Olsen said he aims to build a neighborhood with Wall Street Place, including a street pedestrian mall, where street festivals will be held on weekends. He owns all of the Wall Street property between Isaac Street and West Avenue, he said, with a couple of acquisitions to go in the area in the back.
It's a "part of the town that has such great potential," Malloy said.
"I wanted to see the development, I've heard about it for many years," he said. "Quite frankly couldn't understand why it never got going. Being the governor to get it moving is exciting."
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