DOT: Walk Bridge project will not claim Maritime Aquarium

A rare form of Asian water monitor lizard, this “Black Dragons in the Dragons, Real or Myth” exhibit is one of several exhibits in a temporary sprung structure at The Maritime Aquarium that stands to be relocated when the Department of Transportation replaces the nearby Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River. less A rare form of Asian water monitor lizard, this “Black Dragons in the Dragons, Real or Myth” exhibit is one of several exhibits in a temporary sprung structure at The Maritime Aquarium that stands to be ... more Photo: Alex Von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Alex Von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close DOT: Walk Bridge project will not claim Maritime Aquarium 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

NORWALK — The Connecticut Department of Transportation this month tamped down talk that it might raze The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk to make room for the replacement of the Walk Bridge.

The IMAX Theater stands to be the only acquisition at the Aquarium at 10 North Water St., according DOT spokesman Judd Everhart.

“The Maritime Aquarium itself will not be acquired for the Walk Bridge project,” wrote Everhart in an email response to an inquiry about the bridge replacement. “The IMAX Theater will be acquired to accommodate construction requirements, but the city will retain permanent ownership of this parcel.”

Opened in July 1988 as The Maritme Center, the aquarium now attracts 450,000 visitors and pumps more than $25 million annually into Norwalk’s economy, according to its website.

The city owns the property upon which the aquarium and theater are located.

Everhart added, however, that the DOT anticipates that it will need temporary access from behind the aquarium and along the Norwalk riverfront to accommodate construction. And that will require the relocation of some exhibits.

“Based on the likely construction activities, both the Aquarium and the Department think it is prudent to perform several relocations,” Everhart wrote. “The existing seal exhibit, which contains an outdoor portion, will be reconfigured; in addition, the animals which are currently housed in the addition to the Aquarium (tent-like structure) will be relocated within the Aquarium building.”

Everhart deferred to the aquarium for the specifics of those relocations and how they will be addressed.

Report raises questions

The DOT and Federal Transit Administration recently released a Record of Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact, respectively, on the bridge replacement, which is expected to begin in early 2019. The reports were required under the Connecticut and National Environmental Policy acts.

The existing 120-year-old bridge bisects the Maritime Aquarium and theater. Its planned replacement with a 240-foot vertical-lift bridge has caused concern along the Norwalk River waterfront.

A passage within the FTA’s Finding of No Significant Impact report last week sparked speculation that the entire Aquarium might fall victim to the project.

“CTDOT is working with the City of Norwalk and the Aquarium to develop a plan to identify and address the impacts of the project upon the Aquarium's outdoor and indoor exhibits and its terrestrial and aquatic animals,” the report reads. “CTDOT will compensate the City of Norwalk for the property rights to be acquired. In connection therewith, CTDOT will provide the City of Norwalk and/or the Aquarium the assistance necessary to relocate the animals affected by the acquisition.”

That language generated discussion among members of the Norwalk Harbor Management Commission during their monthly meeting at City Hall on Wednesday evening. Geoffrey Steadman, planning consultant for the harbor commission, said the report provides additional information about the bridge replacement and “sort of implies that there’s going to be more acquisition than just the IMAX Theater.”

“It’s interesting to think if the project will actually affect the property of the Maritime Aquarium itself and if they’re talking about assistance necessary to relocate the animals affected by the acquisition,” Steadman said.

NHMC members concurred with Steadman’s assessment.

Ongoing discussions

The Maritime Aquarium, when asked about the bridge replacement project, said, “ConnDOT is not taking the entire Aquarium” and reissued its earlier statement addressing the IMAX Theater.

“Discussions continue, with the purpose that The Maritime Aquarium receives proper compensation for the loss of its IMAX Theater and other changes to the building and its exhibitry,” the statement read. “Loss of the IMAX Theater and that vital revenue stream without a replacement would be detrimental to the long-term sustainability of the organization. Other substantial changes to the institution are necessary to ensure the safety of our animals and guests, and to not diminish the full Aquarium experience.”

While negotiations regarding payment are not complete, the discussions have progressed enough for the Maritime Aquarium to begin acting on its Walk Bridge response, including planning for the relocation of certain exhibits and construction of a new theater on the aquarium campus, the statement continued.

James I. Mason, assistant director in the DOT’s Division of Rights of Way, informed the aquarium in August 2016 that the transportation department had received early acquisition approval for the theater in accordance with the FTA’s corridor preservation authority.

“This approval is related, in part, to the property that is occupied by the Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk and IMAX Center located on North Water Street, Norwalk; which will be impacted by the Walk Railroad Bridge Replacement project,” wrote Mason in a letter obtained by The Norwalk Hour through the Freedom of Information Act. “This letter will serve to initiate negotiations and establish the eligibility of the Maritime Aquarium to receive relocation assistance.”

Mayor Harry W. Rilling has noted that the city owns the aquarium and IMAX Theater property. As such, it will be part of negotiations concerning acquisition of the theater portion.