The new Westport Y at Mahackeno is moving much closer to reality.
The Y emailed a press release minutes ago. They’ve announced a February 5 groundbreaking — and included photos of prep work that’s already begun.
Tree removal is expected to begin around Thursday. Replacements will be planted by the end of the building process, along with nearly 1,000 bushes, shrubs and other plants.
A worker installs an erosion and sediment fence to prevent runoff into the Saugatuck River and Poplar Plains Brook. The tree will be protected during construction.
Another view of the erosion and sediment control barrier, just south of the Merritt Parkway bridge.
The Y expects to receive a building permit in early February, at which point excavation of the foundation will begin. Demolition of 2 homes on Sunny Lane, and work around the Merritt Parkway, will follow shortly.
The 54,000-square foot building is expected to open in November 2014.
The Camp Mahackeno arts and crafts building will be demolished early next month. It stands on the southern edge of the new Y facility, which will be built into the hillside behind. The stairs to the right lead to the parking lot adjacent to the Merritt Parkway, and roughly represent the easternmost wall of the new building.
(For more information on the Y’s building plans, click here. The Y is also holding an informational Q-and-A session on Thursday, February 7, 7:30 p.m. in its 2nd floor boardroom.)
It’s done, they are on their way. It was a big fight and one side won. That’s how it goes for good or bad. I wish the Y well and hope they do everything they said they would do to protect the local community; spiritually, environmentally and physically.
Dreading the traffic to the Old Hill area. Maybe they can make the small part of Partick off route 33 one way to cut the Old Hill Road traffic. Such a shame that the short sightedness of the town caused this intrusion to a residential neighborhood. We could have had a Y on the Baron’s south with a free senior center but of course the town chose open land. Where’s that open land now and how much did the senior center cost us. Hopefully in the future Westporters will look ahead before stubbornly turning down ideas that really were just fine to begin with. Now our Y isn’t downtown, where it belongs and Baro’n South isn’t open land either.
I plan to be there, chained to a tree. If there is still one standing by then. Let’s protest this baby! Who’s with me?
Bring bail money.
It’s over Johnny!!! I mean jimmy… Leave it be, pick up a new cause/torch … We lost this one.
In the documentary about the Bradley House, Eleanor Dickey stated that she would chain herself to the bulldozer. Maybe she can help you with this one, Jim.
Are the pictures supposed to be comforting? Opposite reaction for me. Nice habitat being ripped up is never pretty.
Looks to me like they are in “wetlands”, but they are using a plastic bag as a sediment and erosion barrier? A new house was recently built on Partrick Road adjacent to Old Hill and even though they had the same “barrier”, all the sediment and erosion from that property just sailed across the street into the Partrick wetlands. And, all of the citizens who are so concerned about the wetlands…….. nothing was done or said about it. People are still dumping their leaves and Christmas trees there to this day. Politics as usual I guess!
On the Partrick house – This is an issue that a number of folks are working on. The cutting of all the trees on a property to then build big and with a large lawn is a problem. In this case it was on a slope and the run off was bad.
As to the dumping, if you see anyone dumping on the wetlands would you please contact me. We know it is going on, but very hard to stop. The police have been contacted and are watching, But it happens in the blink of an eye.
Sorry to inform you, but the workers who were constructing the house were doing just that…… And it does just happen in the blink of an eye. I was driving down the road and saw it and turned around to address them, but they were back on the property just as if nothing had happened – and they just looked at me when I spoke to them – of course, they didn’t understand, or speak English……….
That “protected” tree marks the precise location a young fisherman (not me!) cast his hook directly into the eyelid of Cappy Surette one summer day in the mid-70s at Mahackeno. I don’t remember much about Cappy save this incident and his fantastic name. I remain pretty careful about walking behind fishermen.
I remember that like it was yesterday and am always very careful (now with my children) whenever I walk near fisherman – especially those about to cast their line.
This is Cappy’s sister. What a memory! I was a camper there and remember that day vividly. He had a great career in the Navy and retired as a Captain this past July, and now has a super position at Disney World. And he still goes by “Cappy”
This is very sad and depressing. Time to grieve. What’s the first phase of grief? Shock? Denial?
Either way, it will be a sad day for Westport/Weston on February 5 and I am proud to say that I vehemently opposed this decision and still do.
The Y will realize far too late the error of their ways.
“Y” oh “Y” did they do this?
Same reason a dog licks it’s balls.
Great post Foont!!!! You mean because they could and no one was paying attention? You are the Foont of wisdom!!!!
yay for the Y- Y’s are great things for communities- the Westport Y is currently pathetic! My father is a past president of the Y and had a passion for it’s cause. The new facility will add to the appeal of Westport- the current Y does not. Everyone jumped down the necks of Christ and Holy Trinity for cutting down trees for its addition of the Branson Hall- Now it’s a jem of downntown and there are more trees planted then cut. I am not a member of the Westport Y and have no agenda regarding the new location but, come on people can we look at the glass half full- this will be a great facility and I personally would rater live in the old hill area than North Ave- the school traffic is patterned five days a week- traffic flow in and out of a y is totally random and there for probably will not cause you any pause.
Swim, I sincerely hope it works out that way. Really!!!
I will give you this… You’re right that once the Y opens and the buzz dies down, traffic will probably not be an issue.
But I PROMISE you for the next year and a half, it will be hellacious with the construction and limited traffic flow on Wilton Road. Mark my words. It’s going to be a miserable time for all involved.
Wish I had the ability to temporarily move!!!
Great News! Congratulations to the Y!!
I couldn’t agree more, Anonymous!
This will be a great addition to our quaint New England village!
All of the townsfolk who were against this project will see what a gem it will be!
The quaint New England village with all the awful office buildings from the 70’s blocking all the river views filled with obnoxious hedge funders? This place “aint been quaint” in a long time.
From your mouth to God!!!!!
I never liked you, Wrecker. This comment certainly doesn’t help. Just saying.
Dearest Jim:
I could care less that you “like” me or not.
How about contributing to the topic of the article instead of a a personal attack?
Just Sayin’………………………………………………
Oh…….and Have a Blessed Day!!!
This brings back some interesting memories of being the one who got the fish hook caught in my eyelid by a rookie fisherman during camp in the 70s. I was sitting well away from the edge of the water eating lunch when one kid let his line go accidentally on the backswing and hooked me as I was opening up a can of Shasta cola (Remember Shasta?). Fortunately my brother pushed the kid in the lake immediately afterwards so he wouldn’t start tugging the line. After the nurse removed the hook, I sat on a log wearing an eye patch under that protected tree waiting for my folks to pick me up early. No lasting damage beyond an aversion to stand behind fishermen these days. If nothing else, it’s made for a good story to tell over the years…