Historical commission forwards $55,000 conservatory design proposal to land use committee

The Norwalk Historical Commission voted on March 25 to recommend that the common council consider a $55,000 design proposal for restoration work on the Lockwood‑Matthews Mansion conservatory.

David (commissioner and project lead) summarized a proposal from David Scott Parker Architects that includes a $50,000 design fee plus a $5,000 allowance for reimbursables and printing. He described the conservatory as a specialized, nonstandard structure that will require archival research, cataloging of remaining original glass panels and identification of qualified fabricators. “It’s not just something you can draw up some plans and put them out to bid and random Joe Blow with low bidder wins,” he said, describing the work as a “weird one‑off custom thing.”

Commissioners discussed procurement approach and timeline: staff said the council previously approved a $275,000 special appropriation for this work, and that the commission’s capital request for further work remains under review. Because David Scott Parker Architects have long experience with the mansion and existing building documentation, the commission agreed to recommend a sole‑source referral to land use so the council can authorize spending from the existing appropriation.

Commissioner John Cisado moved to recommend forwarding the $55,000 proposal; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said the land use committee meets April 1; if the committee approves the referral it would move to the full council in the following weeks for final authorization of the expenditure.

What’s next: the commission’s recommendation will go to the land use committee; if approved, the council would authorize the expenditure from the previously approved special appropriation and the city would begin the design phase and subsequent RFQ for specialty fabricators.