Committee advances Norwalk Public Library parking lease renewal with Eagles to full council

The Community Services Committee on June 24 voted unanimously to forward to the full City Council a proposed one‑year extension of the Norwalk Public Library’s parking lease with the Fraternal Order of Eagles at an annual rent of $14,400.

Charerelle Harris, director of the Norwalk Public Library, presented the request and said the library has roughly 38 parking spaces directly behind the building and that the Eagles lease adds 30 additional spaces. With other nearby lots and small satellite spaces, Harris said the combined total of library‑accessible parking is about 79 spaces.

Harris told the committee the library first contracted with the Eagles in 2023 at $12,600 per year and that the proposed renewal would increase the annual rent to $14,400. “They've been very good neighbors,” Harris said, describing cooperative arrangements when the Eagles occasionally need spaces for events and calling the current lease terms reasonable for library patrons and program attendees.

Committee members asked about how the new rate was negotiated, how the leased spaces are used and whether signage should be improved; Harris said the city added signage and would continue to clarify where patrons should park. Council Member Broadick Sawyer presented the item and the committee raised hands to vote virtually; Chair Ann Winterstrand announced the motion carried unanimously and the item will be placed on the council agenda for final action.

The committee’s vote moves the authorization to Mayor Barbara C. Smith to execute any agreements necessary to extend the lease through June 30, 2027; final approval remains with the full City Council.