Private docks line the Saugatuck River.
The Whelk and Rive Bistro have them too.
In the works: another.
Westport’s newest dock could be a game-changer for downtown.
Arezzo Restaurant’s owners have applied to the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection to build a dock at the northern end of their outdoor patio, just below the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
The 56-foot long structure would allow boaters to tie up, step ashore and dine. Two slips would be open to the non-patron public.
And, the application says, a tour boat could offer diners a special course: a trip along the river.
The new dock would be constructed at the northern end (right) of Arezzo’s outdoor dining area. (Photo/Sarathi Roy)
According to plans filed with DEEP, the 2-pile dock will have “minimal impact to the sediment.” It will connect to an existing seawall. There are no tidal wetlands in the area.
After DEEP and the Army Corps of Engineers review and sign off on the plan, it would go to agencies overseeing fish and wildlife.
Town permitting would follow. It’s in the the coastal area management zone, but Westport officials have jurisdiction only from the mean high water line to the land.
Aerial view, with dock plans. (Image courtesy of LandTech)
LandTech — the planners and engineers for the project — says that once necessary permits have been granted, construction would probably be done in the winter.
The dock would add new activity and life to that section of the west bank of the Saugatuck.
But it would not be the first time such a structure was there.
A century and a half ago, wharves — including those owned by Horace Staples, who lived diagonally across the street — carried onions, ax handles and other products down the river, and on to New York and Boston.
To see the entire DEEP application, click here.
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Can’t wait to cruise down for dinner!
I’ll buy you dinner old neighbor! promise!
Did anyone ever notice how shallow this is at low tide?
This will be interesting to watch…
I’m just wondering how many boats could dock at once? We used to eat at the Banana Boat in Boynton Beach, Florida and to dock right at the restaurant was limited. There was another restaurant right next to it called “Two Georges Waterfront Grille.” If I were the owners, I’d take a look at the setup of these two restaurants. Then there’s the “Old Key Lime House “ in Lantana, Florida which had I think five bars with one actually floating on the water so it’d sway with the motion of the water.
This is great
Will they have to dredge the river to be able to get boats all the way up to this area? I don’t think the channel is close enough to the proposed dock to allow boats right up to the dock. I remember when I used to row at the rowing club we had to be very careful to stay in the channel and at low tide we couldn’t even go that far up the river for fear of getting stuck in the mud. But maybe I’m wrong about how shallow it is.
You’re not wrong!
They look to have the best patio in town but I never see anyone out there – maybe parking a boat will be easier than parking a car at this location!
Or maybe, the savvy building owner appreciates the value for other purposes. Hamlet is coming and they have a clear desire to link Westport’s two retail and restaurant hubs via water taxi. It could be easier to create this docking destination on private property in use already vs. the library/Jesup Green side. And not a bad way to truly activate Westport’s left bank (where significant parking is easier to add – then perhaps some of the more creative and attractive downtown ideas which lose a handful of parking spots could be considered.
NOT endorsing or criticizing the plan, just musing.
curious where you would add “significant parking” on that side of the river. I’m sure the 9,000 or so business owners who made a valiant attempt at building business over there through the years are also curious.
Right.
It’s Arezzo’s only option to compete with the closed street, outdoor dining that selected restaurants enjoy… and it’s cooler.
During warm months Arezzo’s moves their dining outside.
Whether boaters who venture up river will enjoy it without being stuck there until the next high tide is an interesting question.
Geez stop already with trying to stuff more and more people and activity in our already over burdened downtown. There is already no parking for Arezzo- now we want to make it worse with tour boats!!! What is it with this obsession to making Westport a “destination”??
There is no water in the river at low tide so this will rely on the river being dredged from Rive Bistro up to the bridge which will certainly disturb the river bottom and sediment.
Let’s have a Westport Water Taxi Service starting at the proposed Hamlet dock to downtown then making stops at Compo Beach then Longshore and Cedar Point Yacht Club. Let’s get in water and off the roads. Such a great idea to have a dock downtown. Exciting!
Spot on, Liz. But who will stay on top of the town and at DTIC to ensure the eastern shoreline landing can accommodate a few boats? I would hate to see an undersized dock with less than four spots accommodating 23′ day boats. Max C what say you?
The dock at Cedar Point is private so no way no how will there be a water taxi stopping by!
A member or owner could potentially take the water taxi and get dropped off or picked up at any private dock that the taxi is willing to go to .
Spot on. Once the state performs the promised dredging of the channel this will be totally viable! A dock at the library and stops at Saugatuck’s longshore and compo ! Can’t wait.
So in other words, first launch in 2047. I know you want the Hamlet to happen and will say anything to push it along. If I was an investor in teh Hamlet, like you are, I would also be waving my pom poms. But this is really quite an absurd take.
My dream of Gondoliers at Arezzo’s may come true! An idea I presented for 06880+50 at the Historical Society/Museum for History & Culture in September 2017.
It’s a perfect location, our Staples chorus members and Orphenians could get summer positions as gondoliers.
And then – a high speed hovercraft link to NYC!
Built over winter but the waters aren’t safely navigable. Hmmm
It’d be worthy if the food was equally worthy. 😖
we dock and dine and wouldn’t go to Arezzo but would like access to downtown. without proper dredging that is a pipe dream. in my opinion, Arezzo was one of our worst dining experiences. we use the free dock in saugatuck some times to get to romanacci our favorite go-to – always consistent, excellent food, and service!