A small group gathered yesterday, in support of Jesup Green.
The land between Jesup Road and the Westport Library is included in a plan to renovate downtown parking. Trees at the top of the green would be removed, to replace spaces slated to be lost across the Post Road at Parker Harding Plaza.
Green space would be added later, closer to the Saugatuck River at what is known as the Taylor lot.
Among the attendees were District 9 Representative Town Meeting members Sal Liccione and Jennifer Johnson. Their district includes Jesup Green.
The RTM may consider an appropriation for the Jesup repaving plan on May 8.
Members of Westport’s Tree Board also joined the group. So did Marliyn Harding, whose father Evan Harding designed Parker Harding.
Attendees were asked to sign a petition to review downtown parking plans for an option that does not jeopardize Jesup Green, proposed by attorney Lawrence Weisman.
Two meetings about downtown parking are scheduled for this week: tonight (Monday, 6 p.m., Zoom, RTM Planning & Zoning Committee) and Wednesday (April 17, 6 p.m., Town Hall Room 309, RTM Environment Committee).
Both meetings generated a bit of controversy when they were announced. This week is spring break for the Westport Public Schools, and a number of residents are not in town.
Sunday’s Jesup Green meeting.
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Also yesterday, just few yards from Jesup Green, the Westport Library hosted a celebration of Westport artist Ann Chernow.
The event — inspired by film noir scenes of the 1930s through ’50s — included the premiere of a documentary depicting her life and legacy.
Afterward, her son (and Staples High School graduate) Dan Chenok led a panel discussion. It included actors Keir Dullea and Mia Dillon, film critic Susan Granger, and the film’s co-creator Andrea Wozny.
Dan Chenok (far right) with (from left) Keir Dullea, Mia Dillon, Susan Granger and Andrea Wozny.
The audience also heard from the artist’s cousin-in-law Ron Chernow, author of best-selling biographies like “Grant” and “Alexander Hamilton.”
Ron Chernow (Photos and hat tip/Dave Matlow)
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Fleet Feet’s “Zoomerang” kids’ running program returns May 5.
It runs Sundays at 1 p.m. through June 16, at Staples High School’s Laddie Lawrence Track.
Sessions are “run” by experienced youth coaches, led by Dave Wright, Fleet Feet Westport owner (and Staples High School girls track and field coach).
It’s open to any youngsters: experienced runners, newcomers, and athletes in other sports who want to get faster. Click here for more information.
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Augusta National golf course — where the Masters tournament concluded yesterday — is known for its magnificent magnolias.
Well, ours are not too shabby themselves. Barry Kresch captured water droplets on these, after a recent rain, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Barry Kresch)
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And finally … on this date in 1865, Abraham Lincoln died. He was shot the previous evening at Ford’s Theater, by famed actor John Wilkes Booth. Less than a week earlier, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War.
Surprisingly, this was one of President Lincoln’s favorite songs. He had it played at political rallies, and after news of General Lee’s surrender. ”
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — and Abraham Lincoln meets Jesup Green. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Correction:
The RTM will be asked to approve the design funds for Phase 2, which will include the entire Jesup footprint of extended green space, Imperial, and evaluation of parking structures in several locations. Voting on construction funds for Parker Harding and upper Jesup will come at a later date.
Wasn’t Ann Cherron an art teacher at Greens Farms Elementary?
Imperial lot, is not a parking lot. It is a dirt town lot used now by DPW to move excess snow. The farmers market have been permitted to use it from May to October, during the hours of 10-2pm on a Thursday. Yankee Doodle fair uses it and the remarkable theatre.
There are some very elaborate plans on the DPIC WEBSITE , for a reimagination of the dirt town lot, into what they call a permanent home for the farmers market. The description then goes on to list the other possible uses, such as swap meets, fairs, exhibitions, parties, media event, etc…
The farmers market kindly donated the plan of sorts designed by Thiel architect firm to the DPIC. I believe Thiel donated the plan also.
The plan includes, a covered pavilion with solar panels, bathrooms, and storage facilities.
Scroll down to imperial lot and hit progress reports.
https://www.downtownwestportct.com/progress-reports
It is in a residence zone and from my recollection it has never been rezoned by our P&Z department. Therefore it is not yet a parking lot. And judging by the list of suggested uses on the plan l, submitted by farmers market to DPIC, even if it were to be rezoned to become something else other than a dirt lot,( in a residence zone) it does not appear that parking or practical parking during peak hours would be one of its purposes, as it sounds like it will be very busy wearing many many hats.
I am not sure where the money will be coming from for this redesign and more importantly build, but according to Pete ratkiewich because it is built on landfill, amongst other challenges, is the driving into the ground of pylons in order to support the pavilion structure. It sounded quite complicated and very very costly.
If anybody is aware of the dirt lot at imperial ever being rezoned, please do share this information with us.
If it was then I stand corrected.
Ciara
As Chair of the RTM Environment Committee, I would like to clarify that the meeting is NOT specifically a meeting to talk about parking, nor are we voting on the parking plan or on the appropriation request. That meeting was scheduled to review the Conservation budget and the second item was added after the P & Z approved the plan so we could discuss the specific pieces that relate to the environment before the appropriation for the design is scheduled to come to the RTM. We will NOT be voting to make a recommendation on the appropriation at the Environment Committee meeting.
Clarification to Mr Herbertson’s post….the P&Z Commission’s approval last week permits a large portion of Jesup Green to be converted into a parking lot (including removing 4 mature trees and constructing a very long retaining wall). The funding before the RTM (now scheduled for May 8th) is for “design and permitting” of a subsequent phase.
There are many people genuinely confused by the current plan and by the rush to approve more funding. There are still too many unanswered questions, like: Why can’t the Baldwin lot be used for more parking instead of destroying Jesup Green??
The big question: how could we move forward with destruction of our sacred town green amid this level of confusion, obvious lack of vision and proper planning?
For instance: if the charrets were so successful, why are so many citzens coming forward for a parking garage at Baldwin after spending more than a million for its renovation?
How could anyone suggest an elimination of the cut through at Parker Harding? Are they from Mars?
Why not just leave everything the way it is?
Why the rush for changes that are not thought about?
If the Dpic is made up of so many experts and planners why do we need to spend 600000 for plans?
Why is an advertising person involved with parking issues and who put him in charge of this mess?
Why do I sound like a toddler, why why why…
Because we wouldnt need a parking garage if they just leave the parking as is.
Who is pulling the strings from behind the curtain?
Oh by the way Newport Beach is fantastic. I had an absolutely brilliant bicycle ride from Laguna to Monterey. Coast road washout provided 300 mile detour of mountains–breathtaking
Sure is odd, if predictable, that as the town (I think correctly) bans leaf blowing for 5 months a year, it allows itself to continue with it’s fleet of the very nosiest and polluting blowers all year and, as the town folk despair over the loss of significant trees in the name of McMansions, the town becomes the worst offender by taking down trees AND the most significant downtown patch of green.