[OPINION] Store Owners Offers Considerations For Downtown Parking

Savvy + Grace owner Annette Norton says, “when I speak to people in my store, most are not aware that redoing the Parker Harding lot will cause us to lose 45 parking spaces, in an already parking supply-challenged area.” 

Prior to the Board of Finance meeting this week, at which members approved $630,000 to redesign the Jesup Green and Imperial Avenue parking lots, she emailed members. Annette said: 

I am proud to be a Westport resident and business owner. Downtown is one of the jewels of Westport, and should be cherished and not taken for granted.

That said, our downtown is in a precarious position. None of the people behind this request are retailers, and therefore may not truly understand the impact and inner workings of the redevelopment.

Site plan for Jesup Green parking area. Click on or hover over to enlarge.

The parking situation has long been a challenge. With increased population comes space constraints and congestion. Aside from the parking dilemma, downtown brick and mortar retailers face fierce competition from online shopping. These are threatening the viability of downtown businesses.

The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee, with the director of Public Works, agreed to add parking spaces at Jesup and Imperial, after much opposition, in an attempt to make up for the 45 spaces that will be lost with the redesign of Parker Harding parking lot.

I believe caveats should be put in place prior to approval. This ask is only the first phase for what will ultimately be the redesign of the Parker Harding lot, in which 45 parking spaces will be lost.

1. There should be signs should be placed downtown to inform drivers so they know where additional parking can be found.
2. There should be signs to indicate fines if drivers exceed the 3-hour minimum.
3. DPIC plans to put in underground scanners at Parker Harding to fine drivers if they exceed the 3 hour time limit. I believe the funds  should be used to invest in technology in the form of a parking app, and eliminate the 3 hours limitation as it will hurt businesses.

As the vice president of the Westport Downtown Association, I support the use of metered parking, and am in favor of the WDA managing it to relieve the burden from the town. Please note that the WDA already manages the refuse program downtown, and funds are used for beautification and downtown events.

The logistics of the metered parking maintenance arrangement between the WDA and town should be discussed. Every major downtown has parking in place using a mobile app: Fairfield, New Canaan, Greenwich, Bronxville and Larchmont to name a few.

Finally, I am not in favor of limiting parking to 3 hours. This is a deterrent for shoppers and diners. Dining in a restaurant takes 2.5 hours. When shopping is factored in, that’s well in excess of 3 hours. It’s unrealistic expectations.

It is important that retailers be engaged in these crucial decisions. Their input is critical to keep businesses from moving away from Westport. Thank you for your time and consideration.