Press Release

CITY OF NORWALK ENJOYS ITS SECOND LEGAL WIN IN CONNECTION WITH A MAJOR URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

Connecticut Appellate Court Paves the Way for the City to Forge Ahead with Its Reed-Putnam Plan --

BRIDGEPORT, CT, September 23, 2004 – The Bridgeport-based law firm of Cohen and Wolf, P.C. successfully represented the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency in an appeal brought by the owner of two properties slated to be acquired pursuant to the Reed-Putnam Plan.  The lawsuit sought to prevent the City and the Agency from acquiring those properties by means of the power of eminent domain.

The Connecticut Appellate Court affirmed a Superior Court decision to permit the City’s $350 million redevelopment plan to proceed.  This decision represents a significant legal victory for the City of Norwalk and the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency.

The Reed-Putnam Plan constitutes the largest urban renewal effort in the City’s history and contemplates construction of 1.1 million square feet of office space; renovation of existing space; parking for the Maritime Aquarium; and major traffic and infrastructure improvements.

Attorneys Jonathan S. Bowman, Stewart I. Edelstein and Barbara M. Schellenberg handled the appeal on behalf of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency.