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Public Works committee advances Lincoln Avenue honorary naming, tables West Avenue request
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Summary
The Norwalk City Public Works Committee voted to forward an honorary naming of Lincoln Avenue Extension as Master Chief Alexander Restrepo Way to the full City Council while tabling a proposal to name a long stretch of West Avenue for developer Stanley Seligson to allow for more documentation and public input.
Chair Anne Wenner Strands opened the committee's public hearings and heard emotional testimony supporting an honorary naming of Lincoln Avenue Extension for Master Chief Alexander Restrepo. Katie Westrego, who identified herself as Alex Restrepo's sister-in-law, described his Norwalk roots and military service, saying Alex "was such an incredible asset to our country" and that "Norwalk was his home." Family members and several council members urged the committee to move the item forward.
Michael Sarrao, president and CEO of Seloxon Properties, spoke in support of naming a portion of West Avenue for Stanley Seligson, outlining Seligson's decades of business investment on West Avenue and listing letters of support from former mayor Harry Rilling and local institutions. Several committee members responded with questions about the scope of Seligson's contributions and whether the record demonstrated the "above-and-beyond" public service normally sought for a prominent street naming. Council member Richard Dellinger and others said the materials presented did not fully document how much of the corridor benefit derived uniquely from the nominee as opposed to broader redevelopment efforts.
After public comment, the committee voted unanimously to advance the Lincoln Avenue Extension naming to the full City Council for final approval. The committee also voted unanimously to table the West Avenue/Stanley Seligson nomination and asked the applicant to supply additional documentation and public input before the item returns to committee. Separately, the committee acknowledged receipt of a request to honorarily name Knight Street as Cutie Mae Jordan Way and set a public hearing for March 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. via videoconference; staff and members clarified that honorary naming does not change official addresses.
The matter of the Lincoln Avenue Extension will be on the full City Council agenda for final action. The West Avenue nomination will return to the committee only after the applicant provides the additional background and outreach materials requested by members.
