The Saugatuck fire station, Parker Harding Plaza, Jesup Road bridge and Longshore lead the list of capital priorities, for the remainder of the 2026-27 fiscal year.
They top 1st Selectman Kevin Christie’s list, as presented to the Board of Finance Wednesday night. The items were for discussion only.
Next month, he’ll present the 10-year capital forecast.
Inclusion in the forecast does not mean a project is approved or will necessarily advance this fiscal year, Christie told “06880.”
Christie’s plan includes $26.59 million across 14 “critical” projects. Another $10.27 million are deemed “necessary,” for a total of $36.86 million. No requests are called “deferrable.”
The largest “critical” expenditures are $14 million to replace the Saugatuck fire station, $3.56 million for Longshore water service replacement, $3 million for the Jesup Road bridge reconstruction, and $3 million for Longshore golf course irrigation.
The Saugatuck fire station is over 100 years old. (Photo/John Maloney)
The aging Saugatuck fire station raises critical concerns about firefighter safety and protection of equipment, Christie told “06880.” However, he noted, “identifying an appropriate replacement site remains a challenge.”
Other “critical” work includes wastewater reliability, marina electrical infrastructure, police cameras and drone equipment, and Longshore, playground and fuel tank needs.
“Necessary” projects include a $6.5 million Parker Harding Plaza proposal, $1.2 million for partial renovation of the Westport Library roof, wastewater engineering and mechanical upgrades, sidewalk rehabilitation, and Parks & Recreation Department equipment, marina, and other work.
The Parker Harding estimate is for a comprehensive reconstruction. Meanwhile, town officials are still evaluating the option of limited interim maintenance and accessibility improvements.
Key considerations include preserving or increasing downtown parking capacity, avoiding work that would later need to be replaced, and minimizing taxpayer costs.
Parker Harding Plaza: $6.5 million proposal.
Christie is reviewing how best to coordinate the next phase, including the future role of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee. The committee’s November meeting has been canceled, during that review.
Specific line items in the “necessary” category show $150,000 for the community gardens, and $75,000 for preliminary architecture and engineering work related to athletic complex improvements at the Burr Farms site.
Christie told “06880” he is “committed to finding a permanent home for the community gardens. We have been evaluating Burr Farms and the town-owned field adjacent to The Saugatuck on Bridge Street, which is subject to a court-approved stipulation. Both locations require further evaluation.”
He hopes to identify a location “by the next growing season.”
Burr Farms athletic complex.
Bonding would cover about 93% of Christie’s total requests.
The Jesup Road bridge project assumes a possible 50% grant. The fire station, police drone, marina bulkhead and golf clubhouse also identify possible grant or partnership opportunities.
Board of Finance chair Danielle Dobin told “06880”: “Looking ahead, we must balance Westport’s significant infrastructure needs with their impact on taxpayers. As individual projects come forward, the Board of Finance will continue to ask questions and carefully evaluate requests to ensure that necessary investments are made with appropriate fiscal oversight.”
She looks forward to the presentation of the town’s updated 10-year capital forecast next month.
“The first selectman has spent months transforming what was previously a collection of departmental wish lists into a prioritized list of capital projects,” she said.
“This is an important step toward more thoughtful long-term planning. It will provide a valuable framework for evaluating competing needs, anticipating future borrowing, and making informed decisions about how best to invest taxpayer dollars.”
For the complete list of capital projects, click here.
(“06880” regularly covers everything in this capital projects list — from the Fire and Police Departments to Longshore, and the Library to sidewalks. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Correction made: The original post said that 1st Selectman Kevin Christie’s presentation was for the 2027-28 fiscal year. It was actually for the remainder of the 2026-27 fiscal year. “06880” regrets the error.