The “06880” brand is Westport.
People, organizations, events, businesses, history, photos, entitled drivers — if it happens here, we post about it.
We throw an occasional bone to Weston too. Keith Richards, José Feliciano, Devil’s Den, the Museum & History Center — all are worth covering.
Very occasionally, we’ll mention something about Fairfield (their 8-30g battles) or Norwalk (Stew Leonard’s, Wegmans) — provided there is a clear and important connection to “06880.”
Today is one of those days.
Manresa Island is that piece of land we see from Compo Beach. Its most prominent feature is a power plant.
Manresa Island (smokestack in the distance), can be seen on a clear day from Compo Beach.
In fact, the reason the island has grown from its original 23 acres to its current 144 is because Connecticut Light & Power (now Eversource) filled in the titdal flats with coal ash.
One view of Manresa Island …
The plant — converted from coal to oil (which subsequently spilled, causing significant environmental damage) — was sold to NRG Energy in 1999, and severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. It closed the next year.
Manresa Island has a fascinating history.
At one time, it was owned by the Jesuits. The established the Manresa Institute, a retreat for prelates and laymen.
… and another.
For a sight so prominent in our vista, most Westporters know nothing about Manresa Island.
Including the fact that a year ago a non-profit organization acquired the property. They hope to remediate the coal ash and asbesetos, and turn it into a park.
That vision of a wealthy couple, Austin and Allison McChord, began as they kayaked past Manresa. They created a non-profit to carry out their dream.
The transformation would open 1 3/4 miles of Norwalk’s shorefront to the public. The 125-acre park would include trails, a canopy walk, a public beach, play spaces, boat rentals, and a lawn for concerts.
Plans for Manresa Island …
The power plant would be turned into a large space with climbing walls, an indoor water park, food vendors, enviornment educational center, and flexible event space.
Demolition of the 3 7.5-million gallon steel oil tanks that sat empty for over a decade was completed last month. The smokestack will remain.
… including new uses of the turbine building …
Proponents call the project a model for the adaptive reuse of industrial sites and resilient waterfronts globally. It is expected to be fully completed by 2030.
Manresa Island is ecologically important. Undeveloped portons include a coastal forest and intertidal estuaries — some of the last remaining undisturbed marine habitats on the Fairfield County coast.
Wetlands serve as breeding grounds for migratory birds, and are home to 200 or so bird species. Waters around the island are essential habitats for many fish.
… and outdoor educational and recreational areas.
Yet Manresa is not the only Norwalk Island in the news.
ROAN ventures — developers of the Saugatuck Hamlet project — recently bought 4-acre Betts Island and 1.5-acre Calf Pasture Island. Plans for the islands are unclear.
Those for Manresa Island, on the other hand, are very clear.
Even if many Westporters — just a couple of miles across Saugatuck Shores and Long Island Sound, as the gull flies — have absolutely no idea what lies next to the smokestack.
Or what lies ahead.
(To learn more about Manresa Island’s future, click here. Hat tip: Janine Scotti)
