The City of Norwalk, CT is seeking the services of a consulting firm or firms qualified to undertake an analysis of uses in the Harbor and deliver a set of actionable recommendations to further utilize the Harbor from a recreational and commercial standpoint and to increase public access to the Harbor and Norwalk waterways. The study will include, but is not limited to, analyzing current recreational and commercial uses, identifying coastal and barrier beaches, establishing goals and recommendations for recreational and commercial use, analyzing future development and preservation efforts of the harbor, and studying the City-owned Street ends that could provide opportunities for visual and physical access to the Harbor. The study will also identify opportunities to diversify and increase the use of the Harbor, identify applicable grants and potential projects to improve the harbor, and will incorporate public outreach component for resident input and feedback into the future of the Harbor. Subsequently, identifying ways to seek capital is a necessity of this study.
Some of the most pertinent topics that need to be addressed in the strategic plan are the management and implementation of both permanent and transient moorings, best practices to collect fees for slips and moorings, a plan for the placement of permanent and transient moorings throughout the Harbor, how to incorporate partners (i.e., Sheffield Island) in the transient mooring program, how to coordinate with private clubs that install and maintain transient moorings, and analysis of the inlets and east channel in regard to organization, access, and moorings. In addition, recommendations on transient mooring software management tools and mapping tools are required. All RFP documents for this invitation are available over the internet at http://www.norwalkct.gov. Adobe Acrobat reader is required to view this document.