About Manresa Association
About Manresa Association
Manresa Association is a non-profit organization representing households in South Norwalk and Rowayton neighborhoods surrounding Manresa Island. These neighborhoods include Harbor View, Village Creek, Wilson Point, Harbor Shores, Shorefront Park, and Bell Island.
What is Manresa Association doing?
On behalf of the neighborhoods we represent, we are in frequent communications with the Manresa Wilds team to share our concerns about the proposed development. While we respect the benevolence of the McChords to remediate the land and transform the 125 acre waterfront land, we have concerns about the impact of the development. The main concerns of neighbors include traffic, noise, lights, and the environment. The McChords and the Manresa Wilds team have been generous with their time to meet with each of the neighborhoods and listen to concerns. Association representatives also meet on a regular basis with the Manresa Wilds team, and we have had productive conversations about how to address the issues.
Manresa Association representatives are also having dialogs with City Hall officials regarding the Manresa Wilds plans so we can continue to be informed as the plans progress.
Why Manresa Association was formed
The Manresa Association was formed in 2013 following the closure of the Manresa Island power plant.
The primary motivation for forming the Manresa Association was to act as an advocacy group dedicated to the future of Manresa Island after the power plant shut down. The main goals were to ensure the that island:
- Is environmentally safe and remediated
- Provides open space and conservation habitat
- Contributes to the physical beauty of Norwalk and the Long Island Sound coastline
Spearheaded by Charlie Taney, the association was formed by local residents in neighborhoods surrounding Manresa.
The event that directly triggered its formation was the permanent closure of the power plant in June 2013, which had been severely damaged by Super Storm Sandy in 2012.
The association had partnered with the City of Norwalk regarding plans for the island’s reuse. An extensive study was completed 2018.