Westport’s police station was built in the 1950s — at 1/3 the originally proposed size.
Our fire headquarters dates to the 1970s. It’s too small for modern fire trucks, lacks training space, and has safety deficiencies.
Emergency Medical Services ambulances share bays with large oxygen cannisters. Like police vehicles, they are sometimes trapped on 3 sides by flood waters.
For those reasons — and many more — town officials are exploring a joint Police/Fire/EMS facility. The most appropriate site, they say, is nearly 10 acres, by the current I-95 commuter parking lot on the Sherwood Island Connector.
The public got its first look at the plan — still very early in the concept phase — last night.
A large crowd filled the Senior Center for a presentation by the police and fire chiefs, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and a pair of architects.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Fire Chief Nick Marsan, at last night’s meeting. (Photo/Dan Woog)
They provided plenty of information.
And they heard a number of questions.
Expansion of fire headquarters — located on Post Road East next to Terrain, since moving from what is now Emmy Squared on Church Lane half a century ago — has been in the town’s capital plan, Tooker noted.
A new or renovated police station — which relocated to Jesup Road over 70 years ago, after sharing space in what was then Town Hall (now Don Memo and Walrus Alley) — has not been listed in that forecast.
Combining the 3 facilities at one first responders’ site would offer savings in efficiency and scale, Fire Chief Nick Marsan and Police Chief Foti Koskinas noted.
An early drawing for a proposed Police/Fire/EMS facility.
Response times would be enhanced in some cases by leaving the congested downtown area. The new location would also offer speedier access to I-95, both for emergencies on the interstate and to reach Saugatuck Shores.
Relocating the police station would also free up dozens of parking spots downtown.
“No one is forcing anything on anyone,” Koskinas emphasized.
“We understand the challenges. We know there are other big projects ahead, likek schools, bridges and Longshore. We’re not saying where in the queue we want to be. But we want to be in it.”
The point of the meeting, he emphasized, was to initiate a discussion on how tax dollars would be spent to ensure safety for residents, employees and visitors all over town.
An early 1950s plan for a new police station on Jesup Road. The current facility is 1/3 the size of this proposal.
Presenters described a number of areas — for example, the benefits of collaboration between 3 departments, the advantages of on-site training, increasing square footage dedicated to ID needs, and cost savings for land, design and infrastructure — that a shared facility could enhance.
Current police headquarters.
Twice, Koskinas noted, the town has turned down opportunities for land that could be used for first responders.
When the current fire station was built, property was available at a former car dealership just east of Crescent Road. That is now the site of Terrain.
And when State Police Troop G moved from Bridgeport to its site at the Post Road East/Sherwood Island Connector junction, Westport was offered the land for $1. Officials turned it down. Today, it’s Walgreens.
Koskinas explained that the proposed location of a new facility on the Connector — just north of the commuter parking lot entrance — was one of the few spots in Westport large enough for all 3 departments.
The current Fire Department headquarters.
Baron’s South, for example, has topographic, access and zoning issues, while using Winslow Park would present traffic and access issues.
Former RTM member John Suggs said that the Connector site was part of an RTM-designated archaelogical preserve. (Adjacent land was the birthplace of Green’s Farms Church’s West Parish.)
Koskinas promised that a new facility would enhance the now-overgrown area, and honor town history.
Building on that property would require relocation of the commuter lot — perhaps south of I-95, closer to Sherwood Island State Park. That would involve negotiations with the state.
The entrance to the shared facility would be just north of the current I-95 commuter parking lot, on the Sherwood Island Connector.
Greens Farms Association president Art Schoeller cited opposition from neighborhood residents, and asked about noise abatement and noise pollution.
“It is the best spot,” another Greens Farms resident acknowledged.
“We’re taking measured risks now,” Koskinas said, referring to Police, Fire and EMS operations.
“Some of the risks are critical. Some are sustainable. But this project touches everyone in town.”
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So when there’s a (nearly daily)traffic jam on I95 and motorists are exiting at the connector to drive through town, what happens then?
You want to – apparently – build and/or encroach upon a registered State Archaeological Preserve containing documented Native American and Colonial era below ground resources? Has anyone checked in with Office of the State Archaeologist?
Brilliant. Good to see some proactive planning without being overly demanding.
Just imagine how downtown could be expanded by converting the Old Bill’s building into another precinct. Selling that facility would just about pay for the new one right?
Tearing down the police station and EMS building would open up parking. Two birds one stone. What would be done with the other buildings?
Brenda, if I were taking bets, they have ZERO intention of knocking down the police and fire buildings in downtown.
There are already landlords/developers salivating over what they can put there in its place.
I sincerely hope the fate of those buildings is discussed and some transparency given because I’ve overheard very excited whispers by several town developers of what they’d put there and it will cause all hell to break loose for the already disastrous parking.
It would be a nightmare unless they are torn down and turned into parking spots.
All of these scenarios should be looked at with transparency, something this town does not know the first meaning of.
I think it’s a good idea, having been a former EMT in Westport. However, I am concerned about the potential issues of building &/or encroaching on the archaeological preserve. I have seen in Prague where they preserved archaeological finds under buildings, by putting foundations around them and covering them with glass enclosures so when you walk through the lowest level floors you can see what they found and everything was preserved and respected. I don’t know what kind of extra costs that may incur though.
As far as traffic cutting thru the connector from 95 when there is a major back up, it’s going to happen anyway, but maybe with the police station there less people will be able to speed and maybe with an extra emergency light there to allow emergency vehicles to respond even when there is traffic in front, it could help discourage some of the traffic from exiting at 18.
Same thing in Zurich.
It states in the story that the project is just north of the parking lot entrance. Should that not read just south of the entrance? Would love to see an overhead view?
“Just north” was the answer last night.
Going from 95 to Post is heading North. So if the lot is on your right, the space would be just past it. I think the only thing between the commuter lot and Greens Farms Road (south of the lot) is a cemetery – there is hardly any frontage there at all.
Mr. Grimm…Thanks I’m aware of the geography..But just north of the lot is currently a small staging area and then some cliffs. The majority of the land is south of the lot. BTW the cemetery is actually south of GF Rd..I’m guess someone misspoke last night
Dan- thanks for the info- I too would like to see an overhead view as there does not seem at first look to be that much land north of the commuter lot before the residential area starts.
I certainly would think that while aspects of the size of the land proposed are part of what makes it attractive, for this huge facility, as a registered state archeological preserve, surely that means nothing can be built there? So is this all not a moot point anyway?
Or is this another situation where 2 RTM members( as is happening now with the Taj Mahal $7million shed at Longshore, are attempting to gather support from other RTM to overturn the PZ decision on its location.
Is this going to be the new way business gets done in town? If it is, think even more carefully in November about your choices.
I’d also like to know where it states, the plan to knock down the existing downtown Police and EMS buildings, because on the contrary I’ve heard there are town developers with beady( greedy) eyes on those buildings and BIG development plans.
With already catastrophic parking problems in downtown, and lessons we have surely learned from the horrendous parking burden caused by the deal done between Bedford square and this town ( kemper gunn, and Bedford square- old YMCA) which resulted in not only losing spaces, but gaining gaining masses more commercial space which is ultimately, what, along with second floor retail being granted, and the redo of Baldwin and the closure of church lane, has dramatically caused parking to go from disaster to catastrophe. need I go on ? Let’s hear it from the town that those buildings will be knocked down and turned into parking.
Sadly this is another having your cake and eating it tantrum on the part of towns administration, who refuse to hear the words NO, don’t listen to reason, and continue to profligately spend our, yes our money( not theirs).
This project I’ve heard may have a “soft” number of $90 million.
When we have a new school to build, 2 schools to repair etc, and all of the other necessary expenses over the next 5 years, I think this project should be put on a ten year plan.
And most urgently we want an answer! What is the “plan” for those jesup buildings should this proposal even pass the sniff test.
I for one:
1) Believe our first responders deserve the very best in this town. They are phenomenal
2) Assert that they deserve better than existing buildings in flood zones
3) Do not care if developers want to turn existing buildings into more shopping and restaurants, provided these contracts are issued in open market deals and deliver enjoyment for this town’s citizens and generate valuable tax dollars
4) Wonder when those continuing to complain about the “catastrophic” lack of parking spaces would be open to admitting that investing in a safe, frequent shuttle from existing lots or residential areas in town would be better than tearing down decent buildings to make more parking spots?
This reads to me like something that would greatly benefit our valued first responders, expand our downtown’s services, and force us to find a solution to an ongoing problem that X # parking spots won’t solve for the long term.
Our first responders have no problem with the buildings they are in.
That’s number 1.
It is the town has this agenda not our fire/police/ems.
They would prefer their existing buildings had been maintained.
Nobody suggested we don’t value first responders.
Of course we do.
Everybody in the town with the exception of this administration and the DPIC CAREFULLY HANDPICKED BY HER AS YESMEN, all acknowledge there is a catastrophic parking problem.
Those buildings until such time as the parking problem is sorted out must not under any circumstances be turned into anything that will further burden the parking problem “she” already refuses to acknowledge or want to fix.
This is not an autocracy. Though it sure feels like one.
None of their buildings are in flood zones ! What are you talking about ?
Those of us complaining about parking ?
Are either residents or merchants or as in my case a resident and a merchant.
I’ll remind you that the merchants in the downtown pay all the property taxes of the downtown.
For which we get nothing in particular back in return from the administration. Just parking lots full of dangerous potholes.
But the town does get to use those property taxes to bolster the schools etc etc..
maybe time to say a big thank you to the merchants don’t you suppose !
On top of that there are 4 buildings with large staff numbers in the downtown who pay ZERO property taxes. They are the library, the levitt, the police building and town hall.
I think the staff of those buildings should all be parking in the peripheral lots and not the staff of businesses who pay property taxes. And absolutely we have always maintained that a shuttle bus paid for by the town should be provided along with security and cameras and lighting etc..
it’s not rocket science.
By open market contracts you surely jest !?
Hook’d, inn at Longshore.. neither were treated in an honest open market condition for contracts. In fact a skulldugerous joke. Nothing fair or open about either of those. RFP should go out, and sometimes do, as in case of hook’d. But RFP bids should be opened at the same time and in the presence of more than the croneys who then duly award them more often than not to their buddies.
I have every reason to think that’s exactly what would happen in downtown.
Nope it’s time for some forward planning.
Because this town has a 60 year parking problem, and still refuses to do anything about it.
It’s time to think about future consequences of the likes of this potential move of the police and ems
Otherwise merchants will be once again shat upon when it comes to any new commercial developments, expected to share the little parking there is with newly created businesses ( which we simply don’t have parking for)
You don’t double the size of a school adding 100 teachers without adding parking for them.
Every teacher has a parking spot. Just like every staff member of a downtown business should likewise have the ability to park.
And I’ll be honest the parking in parking lots needs to be done geographically. Pick a parking lot with 150 spots and calculate what staff work closest to it.
That would mean that all police and ems and library staff would park at the imperial lot, they keep shoving down the merchants throats. They are closest to that lot. They also ( buildings) pay zero in property tax.
Glad you at least acknowledge the valuable tax dollars that existing merchants give the town.
yes the first responders have parking teachers have parking but not downtown employees. good point!
I don’t think shuttle service is the answer. That immediately changes the westport vibe. Parking needs to be on-site/adjacent IMO, if there are parking issues, future development should not be allowed until the parking issue is rectified, if its even possible.
Dan – when was the $1 offer for the Post/Sherwood Connector lot turned down, who was the First Selectcritter at the time, and do you recall the rationale?
I don’t know. Last night was the first I heard of it.
The town has apparently targeted a significant portion of what has to be the hands down
most controversial parcel around.
Let’s review: the 5.90 acre lot – which contains substantial wetlands and an intermittent stream – has been previously considered for the following municipal uses: garbage dump (1956), waste transfer station (1971), town garage (1971), recycling plant (1971), fire headquarters (1971), combined recycling and yard waste facility (1990), open air composting operation (1991), community gardens (2000), bus parking and refueling facility (2009), and, once again, a fire station (2009).
The fights and lawsuits associated with the above have not been insubstantial.
As it happens, the site is documented to contain both pre-historic Native American and Colonial era artifacts (the area was a Native American encampment before becoming the location for our meeting house – which was destroyed in a shocking act of terrorism by the British in 1779).
Around 2009, in recognition of the fact that the property is a sensitive cultural resource – and to finally take it off the table, the First Selectman proposed – and the RTM approved – its designation as a protected State Archaeological Preserve (SAP). This means that the Office of the State Archaeologist must authorize any site disturbance within the Preserve. The basic purpose of the SAP is to conserve the non-renewable below ground resources within it.
The fact that the town is apparently targeting the very same site AGAIN leaves me at a loss for words.
That huge, oversized building proposal for the X18 entrance to our town is a great idea; along with the outrageous, upcoming rehab in Saugatuck, every passenger from Yonkers on train or in a car will feel right at home.
Now that you mention it, the proposed structure resembles a late 70s East German air traffic control facility – updated by CVS’s in house architect. It’s the same sort vaguely menacing, thoroughly depressing, synthetic glop that the State of Connecticut loves to build.
Just want to say that the statements about horrendous parking problems downtown, Clara Webster certainly, is a statement with which I and I think many Westporters simply disagree. Regarding the combined facility, in addition to location, the cost will be dramatic, especially with the costs for Long Lots, Coley El, the efforts at Longshore, Baron’s South and downtown. I do not object to those costs, but others may be troubled by the required borrowing and interest expenses.
With all due respect Don, the experts on parking issues in the downtown are the merchants who speak at length with customers who consistently speak about the difficulty finding parking.
Nobody is making it up. Why would we ?
In 2015, DMA stated in a Dan woog transit article July of 2015, that there were anywhere from 800-1200 staff parking daily, and that was before Bedford square was finished.
DMA stated that after it was finished there would be an estimated up to 1800 staff parking in downtown at peak times. Off peak I believe was 1200.
I do not know if that number included staff of the library, the levitt, police, EmS and town hall. After all those are also staff using downtown parking.
That number has not likely decreased in 10 years, and it was their DMA- downtown merchants associations number count, not mine.
When you look at totality of available parking in the downtown, surely 1800 staff requiring parking would translate to a huge parking problem.
Don these are simply the facts. I’m not making them up.
This is why, more thought should have been given to the Bedford square development and its effect on parking, and to the kemper gunn deal, and the closure of church lane for months, which adversely effects many many businesses, and the second floor retail, all burdens on already burdened parking.
Then the redo of Baldwin, took another 50 spots out of inventory.
It amuses me when people bring up the loss of parking in Parker Harding like the clock started post all the other parking erosion.
Well no ! The clock started in 2015.
So pre any Parker Harding discussion, we are already in the hole about 200 spots.
If the town pitches Parker Harding again, I hope it is with common sense and an exact count of staff parking needs.
If they continue to pitch peripheral lots such as the imperial lot, ( still needs a special permit to even become a “parking” lot, fyi) then back it up with a plan for where staff can park without getting fined.
A geographical plan for the lots depending on where their employment location is.
So those closest to particular lots park in those lots.
Not some free for all.
That would mean that just for example staff from the library should be parking at the imperial lot.
Next police and EMS as they too are closest.
That’s 120 spots gone in imperial !
I’m just giving you examples.
Staff are staff whether they are library or a deli staff.
Let’s do a count, let’s look at a geographical allocation.
And let’s see if we have a problem or not.
No more blind leading the blind.
Was there any statement made regarding what the town would like to do with the current police and fire HQs, if this facility were to be built? Were they eager to dispose of it? It seems like any giveaway to developers is a poor use of our resources.
These are both in easily walkable distances to transportation, food/grocery, and retail areas, as well as the library and senior center. If we’re going to jack the budget for 20 years, these sites need to be considered for town development for affordable housing, to try and get us to another moratorium. Creating small affordable single occupancy studio apartments would maximize the number of units that could be created in areas that can absorb the influx, without creating a bunch of other logistical headaches.
While I’m not convinced of the need for a 9 $ figure facility on culturally sensitive land, we need to be strategic in the full planning.
The question was asked and artfully dodged – twice.
No surprise there.