Photo Credit: © G. Steadman and may not be used in other forums without his permission. This photo is provided for community educational purposes only and may not be used for project promotional purposes. 

Spearheaded by Charlie Taney, the association was formed by local residents in neighborhoods surrounding Manresa Island. The event that directly triggered its formation was the permanent closure of the power plant operated by NRG, in June 2013, which had been severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. ​The association partnered with the City of Norwalk regarding plans for the island’s reuse. An extensive study was completed 2018.  

In 2023, the property was sold to Argent Ventures which planned to develop the island with condos. In 2024, Austin and Allison McChord bought Manresa Island with plans to develop Manresa Wilds on the property.

Background of Manresa Island

Originally known as Boutons Island in 1664, the area became Keyser Island after owner John H. Keyser built a causeway connecting it to the mainland in 1860. In the early 1900’s a Jesuit retreat occupied the island under the name of Manresa Institute, which was named after the Spanish town where St. Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuit order.

In 1953, the Norwalk Zoning Commission approved Connecticut Light and Power’s (CL&P) plan to develop the Manresa property into a coal-fired power plant. CL&P commissioned the plant in 1960, and it burned coal between 1960 and 1972 when it was converted then from coal to oil power.

In 1999 NRG Energy purchased the plant from CL&P and operated the plant as an oil-fired power plant until 2013. In 2012 the Manresa property was almost completely underwater during Hurricane Sandy. As a result, the plant was closed in June 2013.

Recent Historical Timeline

1953: Norwalk Zoning Commission approves CL&P to develop Manresa property as a steam generating power plant. Permission is granted to fill the area north of the A-B line with “coal ash mixed with water sluiced through pipes to the areas that are being filled”.

1957: Referendum fails on “the City of Norwalk acquiring Manresa Island for recreational purposes if feasible.”

1960: CL&P commissions the coal-fired plant.

1969: Major spill of #2 fuel oil, causing significant damage to Village Creek beach and the tidal flats between Hoyt’s Island and Wilson Point.

1972: Conversion from coal to oil.

1980: Federal Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) instituted. According to RCRA Info, the facility filed a Part A Notification on November 19, 1980. They filed as a TSD (Treatment, Storage and Disposal of Hazardous Waste). That triggered the Corrective Action process.

1990: Harbor Management Plan adopted by Norwalk Common Council, names wetlands around Manresa as “areas of concern,” also requires regular review of oil spill control procedures at Manresa.

1992: Transmission line installed running under Long Island Sound from Manresa to Long Island.

1997: Connecticut Coalition for Clean Air names Manresa one of CT’s “Filthy Five.”

1999: NRG purchases Manresa plant from CL&P.

1999: CT Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection’s (DEEP’s) Property Transfer Program begins.

2003: RCRA Corrective Action Environmental Condition Assessment Form (ECAF) received by DEEP.

2005: Sooty Six Law takes effect.

2006: DEEP notifies NRG that Property Transfer Program and RCRA CA can be completed simultaneously as many of the reporting requirements overlap between the two programs.

Photo Credit: © G. Steadman and may not be used in other forums without his permission. This photo is provided for community educational purposes only and may not be used for project promotional purposes.