The result: Plans for the Parker Harding Plaza parking lot are on hold.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker said today that “in coordination with the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee, discussion and reviews scheduled for town boards, committees and commissions in the upcoming weeks regarding the current proposal for the reconfiguration of the Parker Harding Plaza Parking Lot will be postponed.”
Discussion on eliminating the Parker Harding Plaza cut-through lane — shown in the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee screenshot above — will be postponed.
She noted, “The process for this project has been public since its inception. However, recent feedback on the current upgrade and design option for Parker Harding Plaza has demonstrated that proposing another design option for the town-owned parking lot is supported and warrants further consideration.”
The DPIC and consultants will propose another option that “incorporates and considers additional community comments.”
Another evening public “charrette” will be scheduled. “Continued public participation is encouraged during each of the public meetings where any proposal will be presented,” Tooker said.
DPIC Chair Randy Herbertson added, “After several years of monthly public meetings and thorough documentation on the DPIC website, multiple online surveys, and 2 public charettes, the DPIC continues to maintain an open dialogue and take into account feedback on the multi-year, multi-project Downtown Plan.
“It is the desire and intention of DPIC to have the support of and prioritize input from downtown businesses, merchants, and residents, as well as the entire Westport community. The Downtown Master Plan is a strategy for addressing the many issues residents and experts have identified as needing to be improved while maintaining and enhancing Westport’s unique and beautiful waterfront. Upgraded infrastructure projects such as this will ultimately prove beneficial for all.”
Parker Harding Plaza (Drone photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)
Tooker concluded, “Any proposal that addresses pedestrian and vehicular safety, provides resiliency for the future, and upgrades infrastructure to town property is the ultimate goal for any town-sponsored project of this magnitude.
“I am confident that going forward, any proposed reconfiguration will prove to be in keeping with the spirit and mission of the town and the DPIC as we strive to make Westport a premiere destination for residents, businesses and visitors.”
(“06880” reports regularly on downtown developments. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Main Street today looks much the same as it did over 40 years ago.
The architecture, anyway.
But — as Susan Garment’s undated (but late ’70s/early ’80s-looking) photo shows — the retail environment is very different.
The 4 stores shown here — Sport Mart, an unidentified one next to it, Waldenbooks and Dorain’s Pharmacy — are all long gone.
Sport Mart started out in Sconset Square (then called Sherwood Square) in the 1950s. It moved to Main Street, where it expanded to the 2nd floor. Dan Coughlin’s shop was the go-to place for tennis and ski gear. (Westport’s other sports store, Schaefer’s on Main Street, specialized in shoes, baseball gloves and the like.)
Waldenbooks was one of 3 book stores on Main Street in that era. Remarkable Book Shop was midway through its 30-year run on the corner by Parker Harding Plaza (more recently Talbots and then Local to Market). Across the street from Remarkable sat Atticus Bookstore Café (an affiliate of the New Haven original).
Waldenbooks was Westport’s first chain bookstore. (They declared bankruptcy in 2011, long after the Main Street spot closed.) It was supplanted by Barnes & Noble, which opened first on the Post Road where BevMax is now. Its second, larger location was a bit further west, in the old Waldbaum’s supermarket. (Waldbaum’s declared bankruptcy in 2015.) Barnes & Noble is now located in a smaller space on the Post Road — the longtime Fine Arts Theater (and later, Restoration Hardware).
As for Dorain’s: For decades, it was a family owned drug store. (One of 2 downtown; Achorn’s was up the street, near — briefly — Atticus.) When the business sold, it became Westport’s CVS. They soon outgrew the space, and moved to Compo Shopping Center, into the former McLellan’s.
But not everything has changed. The shop in between Sport Mart and Waldenbooks looks like a women’s clothing store.
I’m just sayin’…
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Thousands of people had a blast at last night’s fireworks.
There was wonderful community spirit. Friends met; strangers mingled; joy filled the air.
The one downside: Not everyone picked up after themselves.
Totney Benson notes: “Substantial debris was left behind. Most impressive was the carefully piled and bagged trash and pizza boxes a mere 15 steps from the trash bins!”
(Photo/Rick Carpenter)
So Public Works and Parks & Recreation Department employees were out in force, all night long and right through dawn, making sure Compo Beach and Soundview Drive look perfect for the weekend.
(Photo/Rick Carpenter)
Thanks to all who helped — those who cleaned up after themselves, and those who cleaned up after those who did not.
And if you left a mess: Just think about the message you sent to Westport.
Especially to your kids.
(Photo/Karen Como)
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The Long Lots School Building Committee posted this on Facebook:
“The LLS Building is working through the feasibility phase of the project. The committee, along with an architectural design firm and construction management company, is still evaluating and discussing all three options for the future of LLS.
“Options include: 1) Renovate the existing school as new, 2) Renovate the existing school as new plus build additions, or, 3) Build a new school building. With all three options, the existing school needs to remain open and in use during construction.
“No recommendations or decisions regarding how to proceed have been made. The committee expects to make a recommendation to the Selectwoman’s office in August.
“The committee is taking great care to evaluate all aspects of the site to find the ideal location for a new building or additions, while respecting the residential neighborhood, maintaining town fields, ensuring adequate parking, and preserving or relocating town assets such as the community gardens – it is a challenging balance!
“While the school is the priority, the committee fully appreciates the beauty and value of the community gardens, as well as the importance of town fields and maintaining a symbiotic relationship with neighbors. At this point, the committee is considering all options before making its recommendation. We know the town governing bodies and Westport residents would want and expect nothing less.
“The LLSBC will hold its next scheduled meeting on Friday, June 30 at 10 a.m. All Building Committee meetings are noticed on the Town website. The public is welcome to attend and there is time for public comment/questions at the meetings.”
The Long Lots Elementary School campus. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Westport celebrated the 4th of July with fireworks last night, on June 29th.
But there are still 5 days to go until the holiday. And many Westporters will be thinking of more pyrotechnics.
Westport Fire Marshal Terry Dunn says, “The public has been overwhelmed with advertisement, signs, and sales pitches of so-called fireworks. The only legal ‘fireworks’ items in Connecticut are sparklers.
Sparklers are non-explosive, non-aerial devices that contain less than 100 grams of pyrotechnic material. They can be legally used only by persons aged 16 or older.”
Novelty items like party poppers, snakes, smoke devices and anything that emits a flame are not legal for private use in Connecticut. In addition to being illegal, exploding devices can cause painful, debilitating injuries.
Sky lanterns (small hot air balloons made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire burns) are also illegal in Connecticut. They can cause fires and injury. The flaming lantern can travel long distances and drop onto roof tops, fields, trees and power lines.
Our area has experienced dry conditions, making it very easy for fireworks, sparklers and fountains to cause brush fires. Extreme caution must be exercised even with campfires, as the fire danger has been elevated.
Possessing or causing to explode fireworks can result in a fine or incarceration.
Sparklers are legal — but only for people 16 and older. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between June 21 and 28.
A woman was arrested for larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, identity theft and conspiracy to commit identity theft.
A companion had been arrested on similar charges earlier. They stemmed from the complaint of a First County Bank customer, after a fraudulent check of hers was cashed for $2,940. Her car had been broken into, and her purse stolen.
Police also issued these citations:
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 4 citations
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
Larceny: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Driving with a foreign license for more than 30 days: 1
If you missed Alison Stewart’s WNYC “All of It” interview about the Westport Library’s first-in-the-nation record label vinyl release — no problem.
You can hear it — including an interview with sound engineer Travis Bell, artist Dani Capalbo, and some of the music recorded at the Library’s Verso Studio — by clicking here.
Travis Bell, at work.
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The year is winding down for the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club. On Wednesday, new president Liz Wong was inducted.
They’re still smiling over last weekend’s Great Duck Race. More than 3,000 plastic ducks “competed,” raising more than $70,000 that the club will donate to charities.
And finally … Bobby Osborne, a singer and mandolin player whose bluegrass band flouted convention by using drums, electric bass, pedal steel guitar, twin banjos and string sections — and were the first to amplify their instruments — died Tuesday near Nashville. He was 91.
The Osborne Brothers are best known for their 1967 record, “Rocky Top.” Click here for full obituary.
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Whenever Westport celebrates July 4th, we do it right.
It wouldn’t be the fireworks without Andrew Colabella.
Once again — thanks to the generosity of Melissa and Doug Bernstein; the hard work of Westport PAL, Parks & Recreation Department, Police, Fire and EMS — several thousand Westporters and friends enjoyed the best night of the year.
Doug and Melissa Bernstein sponsor the fireworks — so that Westport PAL can make money, to support thousands of youth programs and scholarships.
The ghost chairs — empty all day — were filled by late afternoon. There was plenty of food and drink; lots of sparklers and red-white-and-blue apparel, and only a few lost kids.
The fireworks — the finale — were just part of the party.
The barge, ready for the show.
And now we’ve got 5 more days to celebrate our nation’s independence.
One party, among hundreds.
PS: After all that, the beach was immaculate at dawn today. Kudos to all the Parks & Rec employees — and anyone else who made it happen.
Parks & Rec employees worked hard, all day long — and all night too.
Arm candy. (Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
One of several PAL stands …
… and CJ Healy and Case Robinson set up their own stand, to raise money to build basketball courts in Cuba.
Not all the Grucci fireworks workers were on the barge. These guys took a break from working on shore.
There were parties on Soundview Drive …
… an impromptu meeting of town leaders …
,,, and a chat between Jane Green and Michael Bregman.
Not far from a massive volleyball game …
… EMTs stood ready.
It wouldn’t be the fireworks without some fun on the sand …
… and on the lifeguard stand. (All photos/Dan Woog)
With just over 7 hours to go before the June 29th fireworks, Compo Beach is jam-packed with beach chairs, picnic tables and tents (and very few people manning or womanning them).
But that’s not what this post is about.
Here are a few photos to show what else is happening, down at the shore.
Compo Beach lifeguards, midway through a long day. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
Camp Compo kids and counselors play in the Sound, in the shadow of the fireworks barge. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
Human beings aren’t the only ones enjoying the Soundview Avenue scene. (Photo/Tammy Barry)
Okay, I lied. One more photo of the stakeout. This is at 10:30 a.m. (Photo/Brian Schiller)
The beach will be jammed. Folks deck themselves out in red-white-and-blue. There are cookouts, picnics, and flags galore.
“06880” wants to show the world what a Westport Independence Day (5 days early) looks like. Please send photos — of your kids, your decorations, your dog — to 06880blog@gmail.com. Deadline is 10 p.m. tonight.
Be creative — and have fun!
NOTE: Please stay away from actual photos of fireworks. They pretty much all look the same.
Westport’s rainbow crosswalk — installed at 5 a.m. June 1 on Jesup Road and Taylor Place, in honor of Pride month — is showing signs of wear.
But a new crosswalk will replace it soon. And — because honoring the LGBTQ+ community has no end date — it will be permanent.
Yesterday morning, the Board of Selectwomen unanimously approved the new downtown feature.
It will be funded entirely by donations. Material used for the new installation will be thermally fused to the asphalt, which Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich says ensures durability for up to 10 years.
The same material has been used previously on Main Street, as well as by Norwalk for their rainbow crosswalk.
The design will feature 2 white bars, with colored panels representing the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community in between.
Dr. Nikki Gorman, who sponsored the June crosswalk with Galia Gichon, hard at work installing it earlier this month.
Today marks the 92nd birthday of the Westport Country Playhouse.
On this day in 1931, the curtain rose on “The Streets of New York.” Dorothy Gish starred, and a new era in American theater was born.
Nearly a century later, the historic institution is in dire straits. Here’s the birthday greeting the Playhouse sent yesterday:
“Tomorrow the Playhouse celebrates 92 years of creating theater and entertainment for all ages right here in Westport!
“Now we need your help to ensure we’re here for another 92 years of vibrant arts programming for our community. Please join us in helping us raise an immediate and necessary $2,000,000 by July 31.
“We’re 10% there and every bit counts — click to give $92 in honor of our birthday or any amount to help save your Playhouse!”
Gloria Swanson arrives at the Westport Country Playhouse (1961).
Lowell P. Weicker Jr., who swaggered through three terms as Connecticut’s last Republican senator, challenging Richard Nixon over Watergate and the GOP’s rightward shift under Ronald Reagan, then willed the state’s income tax into existence in a second act as a third-party governor, died Wednesday.
He did not have much to do with Westport, beyond representing us in the US House of Representative for 1 term and the Senate for 3, and serving as governor for 1 term.
But he was a towering figure — both politically and physically — for much of his life.
And, as a moderate, socially progressive Northeast Republican, he was part of a party branch that is now virtually extinct.
Weicker was “a fierce defender of abortion rights, the separation of church and state, and funding for social services, oceanic exploration and AIDS research.” He also co-authored the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In Connecticut, his legacy — proposing and passing a state income tax — endures today.
Click here for the full CT Mirror obituary of this fascinating man.
LifeBridge — the Bridgeport non-profit that offers behavioral health services, youth development and asset-building resources for underserved families — scheduled its annual fundraising gala for tonight at the Inn at Longshore.
When they learned the fireworks were set for the same night, they adjusted the timing so guests could get to and from the event without getting stuck in traffic. The new start time is 4 p.m.
Of course, attendees can stay to watch the pyrotechnics after the program ends, at 7:30.
The gala includes the premiere of a documentary featuring Bridgeport middle school youth involved in LifeBridge’s Mural Club. They designed and painted a 100-foot mural on the side of their building on Fairfield Avenue. It’s based on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s concept of a “beloved community,” part of his 6 Principles of Nonviolence.
LifreBridge hopes to serve more youth, in response to soaring demand. To donate, text the word “Beloved” to 53555.
Eagle-eyed Westport Library patrons spotted a baby deer trapped on a narrow stretch of rocky shoreline, on the west bank of the Saugatuck River.
(Photo/Keith Styrcula)
Keith Styrcula and Mike Loparo drove across the bridge, to see if they could help unite it with its mother.
Animal Control and the Westport Fire Department responded to calls from residents.
Firefighters had to leave for another call — but returned as soon as they could.
Joe Saponare of Animal Control was there the entire time. With persistence and ingenuity, he eventually got the baby up to land, across from Assumption Church.
Congratulations to Joe, and all who helped in any way.
Part of the rescue effort. (Photo courtesy of Joe Loparo)
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Eugene Gans of Westport died Monday, at Norwalk Hospital. He was 93.
The New York City native loved his career and colleagues in R&D at Hoffman-LaRoche, Richardson-Vicks and Medicis.
Gene is survived by his wife of 70 years, Roslyn Gans; daughter Lois Gans Kemp (Lee), grandson Steven Kemp, and family and friends. He was predeceased by his son Steven Gans.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday, June 29, 11 a.m., Abraham L. Green & Son Funeral Home, Fairfield, CT). Shiva will be observed at the Gans residence in Westport. For more information and to share an online message, click here.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Westport Senior Center, 21 Imperial Ave. Westport, CT 06880 or the Westport Library.
And finally … on this day in 1956 President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act, officially creating the United States Interstate Highway System.
Sure, it’s now possible to drive the entire length and breadth of the country without stopping for a red light. But today, at least one part of it — I-95 in Connecticut — can be called …
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