Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that Timothy T. Sheehan, Executive Director of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency for Norwalk, CT, has been named Springfield’s new Chief Development Officer (CDO).
Mayor Sarno stated, “Tim brings a wealth of economic development experience and formidable track record of project accomplishments in his Norwalk tenure. From formulating approval and implementing Norwalk’s Urban Economic Development Agenda to overseeing the development of master plans, neighborhood plans and redevelopment plans, Tim’s steady leadership efforts have led to a Norwalk resurgence. I look forward to getting Tim on board to help me continue and enhance my vision and the momentum of our Springfield renaissance.”
During Sheehan’s tenure as Executive Director of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, he oversaw over 5 million square feet of development with an estimated value of $700,000,000. He had a direct role in over 40 development projects that have either been built, are currently under construction, or in the process of being approved.
Tim Sheehan stated, “I very much look forward to working with Mayor Sarno and the entire development team in Springfield to implement the economic development agenda that has been set forward for the City and to continue to strengthen our neighborhoods and to preserve and maintain the housing stock within them.”
Major projects overseen by Sheehan include those of large business scale, neighborhood improvements and housing developments.
The SoNO Collection, a 750,000 square foot urban mall being constructed in downtown Norwalk, is set to open this October. This project created thousands of construction and permanent jobs. Tenants consist of Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, 80 to 100 inline retailers and restaurants and public space. The total tax revenue generated to the City of Norwalk by the project over 15 years is estimated to be $45.7 million dollars.
Housing developments overseen by Sheehan include Waypointe, the largest mixed use housing development that has been developed in Norwalk. This 1.5 million square foot development features 662 luxury residential rental units of varying design, restaurants and retail in the heart of downtown Norwalk. The project is in its final phase of development and is being expanded to offer more retail, restaurant, entertainment and office space. Additionally, Ironworks is a mixed use 242,000 residential development that has 108 luxury residential rental units situation on the Norwalk Harbor. It also features restaurant and retail space.
Sheehan has worked closely with Norwalk neighborhoods in creating a transformation plan for South View Landing, utilizing a Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant and subsequent $300,000,000 award and $25 million in State funding to demolish blighted housing impacted by Hurricane Sandy. South View Landing has 273 mixed income units, called for an adjacent park to be designed storm-resilient, with added soccer fields, community gardens, trails and playgrounds. This project entailed significant infrastructure improvements for a sustainable design.
Sheehan is a Springfield native, having worked in the Office of Mayor Mary Hurley and the City’s Community Development Department from 1989 to 1993. He served as Director of the Community Development Action Grant, under the Executive Office of Communities and Development in Boston from 1994 to 1996, administering a $30 million capital account to leverage public infrastructure to advance private real estate investments. Before he headed the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, Sheehan was the Senior Project Manager, Real Estate Division, for MassDevelopment in Boston. There, he managed major manufacturing and industrial development projects and assisted municipalities in preparing largescale sites for development.
Sheehan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Government at Western New England College here in Springfield and continued trainings and certifications through Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Urban Land Institute, and the National Development Council, to name a few.
CDO Sheehan will take over the reins of the Office of Planning and Economic Development on Monday, July 8, 2019.
