Members of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee were not the only ones surprised to learn that chair Randy Herbertson had been replaced.
He was too.
Herbertson — who joined the organization in 2016, and led it since 2021 — met with selectpersons Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich 2 weeks ago. It was his first conversation ever, he says, with the 1st selectman.
Randy Herbertson
Several days later he received an email from Christie, saying there would be a change in leadership. Herbertson said he asked for an explanation, but received no response.
“06880” asked Christie for a comment. He replied, “This was a change in leadership for the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee. I appreciate Randy’s service to our town.”
Herbertson — whose full-time job is owner of The Visual Brand, a Church Lane branding firm he founded — was first appointed to DPIC by 1st Selectman Jim Marpe. He stepped down as president of the Westport Downtown Merchants Association when Marpe tapped him as chair.
Herbertson is proud of his tenure. “We’ve done a lot of planning,” he says. “But it’s difficult to get things done through town bodies.”
Major accomplishments, he says, include renovations of the Baldwin and Elm Street parking lots; a parking study, and “lots of public engagement.”
Two years ago, the Planning & Zoning Commission said it would approve an update to the Parker Harding lot, if DPIC could find 40 spots to replace those that would be lost.
Parking plan for Parker Harding Plaza.
They devised a plan for Jesup Green. However, opposition to removal of part of that open space sent DPIC back to the drawing board.
Now, Herbertson says, “Public Works has identified most of those spots outside of Parking Harding.” DPIC may soon ask P&Z for approval.
Under Herbertson, DPIC also explored the feasibility of a parking deck. However, he says, “our goal was to change parking behavior in the downtown core, before building a structure.”
Herbertson calls his removal “disappointing and dismaying. (Christie) can make whatever choice he wants. But I would have liked an explanation.”
Christie says that he and the Select Board will look at the makeup of all appointed town boards and commissions.
Downtown Plan Implementation Committee report.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished,” Herberston says. “It is what it is.”
Members of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee hailed Herbertson. They said:
On behalf of the Westport community, we would like to express our sincere appreciation for your many years of dedicated service as chair of the Downtown Planning Implementation Committee.
Your leadership of a diverse group of stakeholders was marked by diligence, patience, and an extraordinary work ethic. You consistently devoted countless hours in preparation, coordinating with experts and public officials, setting an agenda, and running public meetings with fairness, clarity, and professionalism. Through your steady guidance, complex issues were addressed constructively, and progress was achieved in a collaborative spirit.
As a volunteer in public service, you set a high standard and made a lasting, positive impact on our downtown and our community. We, members of the DPIC, are deeply grateful for your commitment and exemplary leadership.
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