Social Impact

Driving positive change – Manresa Island

On Monday evenings during the summer, Kristina sails with the Norwalk Yacht Club chapter of Women on the Water (WOW). Kristina and her fellow WOW members use the stack of a decommissioned power plant on Manresa Island as a home port beacon.

Intrigued by the power plant, Kristina connected with a sailing mentor, Lynn Oliver, to learn more. Lynn is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, yacht broker, and the former director of marketing, member experience, and workforce development for the largest marina operator in the Northeast. In 2020, Lynn proposed “Manresa Reimagined” to develop the power plant into a world-class LEED-certified educational campus that includes a student-operated marina and boat yard.

Manresa Island consists of two parcels of 144 acres. Kristina is passionate about joining forces with the team and applying her 30+ years in sustainable design to reclaim the land as a stopover and destination for those traveling via the Intracoastal Waterway.

Development has stalled for the moment. Kristina hopes to find a solution that puts the community first, including innovative programming that benefits all.

Sources: City of Norwalk’s Manresa Island Association webpage and Findings & Recommendations Report PDF.