Tag Archives: Parker Harding Plaza

Roundup: Jesup Lot Parking Plan, Dunville’s Update, Parks & Rec Registration …

Posted on February 22, 2024 | 16 comments

Parker Harding and Jesup Green parking plans are moving forward.

On March 6 (7:30 p.m., Zoom), the Flood & Erosion Control Board meets to consider the 2 riverside lots.

Forty-two additional spots are proposed for the Jesup Green (lower Westport Library) parking area. Work includes restriping, minor grading, the removal and relocation of some trees, and a new retaining wall.

The new spaces will replace those lost in the Parker Harding renovation, as it is brought into compliance with ADA and safety standards.

The site plan is below. For a larger version, and other material related to the Jesup and Parker Harding lot project, click here.

Click on or hover over to enlarge.

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After Tuesday’s “06880” Roundup report that Dunville’s closed suddenly last week, several readers noted that the Riverside Avenue’s Facebook page said: “Hi everybody, we’ll be closed for a little spring cleaning and then some vacation until Friday, March 1st. BRB!”

The post was accompanied by a photo of a Jimmy Buffett-style beach scene.

Usually, owners howl directly when I get something wrong. I reached out to Dunville’s owner before posting the story, but still have not heard back from him, or any representative.

Meanwhile, rumors are rampant in town that the popular, 40-year-old bar has been, or will be, bought by Little Pub.

I contacted the Little Pub owner for comment, but also did not hear back.

Dunville’s

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Parks & Recreation Department spring and summer programs are now viewable online (click here).

There are 2 online registration dates.

Tuesday, March 5 (9 a.m.) if for Camp Compo and RECing Crew only.

Wednesday, March 6 (9 a.m.) is for all other spring and summer programs. Registration also continues for Camp Compo and RECing Crew.

If a program is full, names can be added to the waitlist. There is no charge at that time.

Parents should click here to access their account.

Log into your profile and choose “Manage Family Member” on the bottom right. This brings you to the “My Family Members” page. Click on the first name in the column. In “Family Member Information,” verify date of birth, and make sure that children’s grades are correct (it is the grade going into as of September 2024). Hit “Save” at the bottom. Complete the process for every family member.

For address changes, email recreation@westportct.gov. Problems? Email recreation@westportct.gov or call 203-341-5152. Office hours are weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Sons of the American Legion Squadron 63 have elected Andrew Colabella as squadron commander, and Mark Shornick as treasurer.

Both honor the legacy of family military service. All male descendants of US veterans who served honorably are eligible for membership,

Sons of The American Legion Squadron 63 is part of VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 on Riverside Avenue.

Mark Shornick and Andrew Colabella, at their Sons of American Legion Squadron 63 swearing-in.

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Want to be the next Stephen Sondheim?

You may not write “West Side Story,” “Gypsy” or “Into the Woods.” But — if you are at least 20 years old — you can do what Sondheim did when he was at Williams College: become a Westport Country Playhouse intern.

Applications are open through March 8 for the Joanne Woodward Internship Program. Interns work closely with Playhouse staff each summer — as they’ve done ever since the 1940s.

Opportunities are available in marketing, development/fundraising, general production, and community engagement. Interns also attend weekly seminars with guest speakers, including Playhouse staffers, visiting designers and artists, commercial producers and more.

This year’s program runs from May 28 through July 31. The stipend is $630 per week. Housing is provided, if needed. For more information and to apply, click here.

Stephen Sondheim (crouching, top of photo), during his 1950 apprenticeship. Also in the photo: future film director Frank Perry (front row, left) and Richard Rodgers’ daughter Mary (2nd row, 4th from left).

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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between February 14 and 21.

A man was arrested for unlawful restraint, following an investigation into a domestic abuse complaint.

A man was arrested for threatening, after a complaint that the 18-year-old would kill his former partner.

Police also issued these citations:

  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 5 complaints
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
  • Failure to obey stop signs: 3
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
  • Distracted driving: 2
  • Failure to remove snow/ice from roof: 1
  • Improper use of markers: 2
  • Failure to comply with dog ownership requirements: 1
  • Permitting a dog to roam at large: 1
  • School zone violation: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
  • Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
  • Unreadable plates: 1
  • Failure to register a commercial vehicle: 1

So cute! But you can’t let dogs roam! (Photo/Helen Martin)

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Maple syrup season is near.

And Dasha Horton, Natalie Glidden and Sean Fitzpatrick are ready.

On February 24 and March 2 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm), they’ll talk about tapping and producing syrup, answer questions about how to tap trees at home, and show off WTF’s homestead-sized evaporator.

They’re all-weather farmers. Soo they’ll also answer questions about summer gardens.

The Maple Sugaring Days are free; go any time during the 2 sessions.

People of all ages love maple syrup — and making it.

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David Waldman discussed local real estate, at Tuesday’s Westport Rotary Club lunch.

The lifelong Westport, and founder and president of David Adam Realty, addressed 2 controversial projects: Glendinning Place, and Parker Harding .

David Waldman, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Ellin Curley)

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Hark! A hawk!

Johanna Keyser Rossi spotted this “Westport … Naturally” beauty at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … Jimmy Van Eaton, Jerry Lee Lewis’ pounding drummer on “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” died earlier this month in Alabama, of kidney complications. He was 86.

Click here for a full obituary.

(Goodness gracious! Come along baby! Please click here to support “06880.” Thank you kindly.)

16 Comments

Posted in Children, Downtown, Local politics, Police, Westport Country Playhouse

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(Un)civil Discourse: Enough Is Enough

Posted on January 19, 2024 | 39 comments

As temperatures plunge, Westporters’ tempers rise.

Well, that’s not exactly true. They’ve been at a boiling point for months.

Enough is enough.

A pair of controversies — the Parker Harding Plaza renovation, and construction of a new Long Lots School — have evoked passionate responses by residents, on all sides of the many-pronged issues.

Plus plenty of anger, nastiness and personal attacks.

For nearly 15 years, the “06880” Comments section has been a place to share opinions, insights and ideas.

From time to time, it becomes a place of incivility, even venom.

This is one of those times.

Again: Enough is enough.

An elementary school reconstruction plan sparks fierce debate.

It’s fine — crucial, in fact — for Westporters to offer their 2 cents. We need to hear what our neighbors, friends and fellow taxpayers think.

It’s not fine to attack them, impugn their motives, and call them names. It’s certainly not fine to swear at, or about, them.

These are, after all, our neighbors, friends and fellow taxpayers.

Some are just like us: sitting on the sidelines, watching the world of Westport go by.

Some have taken the bold step of volunteering for public service, devoting hundreds of hours to do what they can to help our town.

It’s mind-numbing to watch some of their meetings. It’s mind-boggling to think that’s only part of what they do, for no pay.

And not only no thanks, but volumes of vitriol.

Long Lots School Building Committee members are volunteers.

Even those public servants who get paid — the 1st selectwoman and heads of departments, for example — are human beings. They have feelings and families, just like all the keyboard warriors.

I’ve said it before, in this post and in the past. Now I have to say it again: Enough is enough.

We tell our kids to stop bullying. We lament the polarized state of our nation.

So let’s start modeling the behavior we want. Actions speak louder than angry words.

It’s time to reiterate rules that I’ve made in the past (and unfortunately, as the sometimes overwhelmed Comments moderator, not always followed): No personal, ad hominem attacks.

No accusations of nefarious activity.

No swearing.

Before commenting — or at least, hitting “submit” — ask yourself: Is this really the way I want people to think of me?

Is this something I would be comfortable saying in front of my kids — or hearing them say?

If I heard someone else say it in a public meeting, at the supermarket, or in church or synagogue, what would I think?

Moving forward, commenters will be limited to 3 per thread. Be judicious. Don’t repeat yourself. Address the topic, not the person. Play nice.

Violators will be given a “time out” — banned for a while — just like elementary schoolers. You know, the same kids some adults are writing about.

Westport can be a contentious community. Everyone has an opinion, and there are multiple controversies to have opinions about.

But it is still a community. It’s a small town, filled with neighbors and friends.

Everyone here wants it to be the best it can be. We may disagree on what that means. That’s normal, and appropriate.

That does not mean anyone who disagrees with us is malicious or evil. No one here is out to destroy the town.

Let’s not destroy each other in the process.

Thoughts? Click “Comments” below.

39 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Media

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Swamped Saturday: Part 3

Posted on January 13, 2024 | 2 comments

A few more looks at today’s weather:

Gloria and the Minute Man (Photo./Michael Diggin)

Colin and Liam Ford, at the new Parker Harding Plaza beach (Photo/Susan Ford)

Sherwood Island marsh, now a lake (Photo/Jalna Jaeger)

Ned Dimes Marina (Photo/Nancy Lally)

2 Comments

Posted in Beach, Downtown, Weather

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Swamped Saturday: Part 2

Posted on January 13, 2024 | 1 comment

Saugatuck Island (Photo/Howard Edelstein)

Black Duck parking lot (Photo/Ian Warburg)

Amidst the floods: a rainbow over Parker Harding Plaza. (Photo/David Waldman)

1 Comment

Posted in Downtown, Weather

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Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2024 | 18 comments

For several years, “06880” rang in the new year with an iconic photo: The “blue marble” image of Earth, suspended in space.

Taken by Apollo 17 astronauts in December 1972, for half a century it symbolized the beauty and fragility of our planet, and the interconnectedness of us all.

Last year, I went intergalactic.

In the 17 months since the James Webb Space Telescope beamed its first pictures back to us, the world has been mesmerized.

We thought we knew how vast and amazing the universe is.

Now, we realize, we don’t know the half — or the hundredth, or squintillionth — of it.

Gazing at photos like the one above, we realize how insignificant we truly are. Our planet is just one grain of sand, on an obscure beach, in an out-of-the-way location.

We really don’t matter at all.

Except to us.

Take a look at that photo again.

That landscape of “mountains” and “valleys” speckled with glittering stars is actually the edge of a nearby, young, star-forming region in the Carina Nebula. For the first time, we see stars being born.

We look billions of light years into the past. That’s crazy stuff.

So — back here on Earth, in our tiny Zip Code in our small state in our big country in our average-sized planet — we have to wonder: What actually matters?

Is it whether we put a baseball field next to a school, or keep a garden? Is it losing 44 parking spaces downtown? Is it the inconvenience of traffic on our roads, or a neighbor who chops down most of his trees?

The answer is: Yes.

These things matter.

They matter because they are part of our lives here in Westport. Sure, the universe seems endless; we still can’t really conceive of the fourth dimension, and our universe itself may be part of another, “living” life form.

In other words, the Westport — and the world — we know may just be atoms in an infinitely more complex something-or-other.

But all that’s for another day (or time).

Meanwhile, we look for the answers to life out there. But right now, it’s our own lives to lead, right here in “06880.”

Let’s lead them well.

And so … bringing us back to what we know best … here’s that beautiful blue marble, once more.

18 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Education, Environment, Westport life

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Parker Harding Plan Withdrawn From P&Z

Posted on October 30, 2023 | 19 comments

In a terse, 2-sentence note this morning, the town officially withdrew its applications to renovate Parker Harding Plaza.

Department of Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich emailed Planning & Zoning Department director Mary Young:

In consultation with the First Selectwoman, and in light of the commentary offered on the above referenced applications, we have decided to withdraw both applications so as to focus on addressing some of the issues.

We will resubmit at a later date.

For over a year, the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee has worked on a multi-pronged plan.

The first part — reconfiguring the lot behind Main Street to add green space by the river, improve traffic circulation and aesthetics, and bring it in compliance with ADA standards — initially removed the cut-through from Main Street to the Post Road. It also eliminated dozens of parking spaces.

Vehement opposition from retailers, restaurant owners and residents led to a second plan. The cut-through was returned, but for a variety of reasons — including widening of parking spots to meet current regulations — it resulted in the loss of 45 spaces.

The most recent Parker Harding Plaza plan.

Last Monday, Pete Ratkiewich and DPIC chair Randy Herbertson presented the newest iteration of the plan. Officially, it was an “8-24” review at the request of 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.

P&Z commissioners and members of the public praised parts of the plan. But other elements — especially the elimination of nearly 4 dozen parking spots, along with traffic patterns, perpendicular rather than angled parking, sustainability, flooding, and the location of the dumpsters at one end of Parker Harding, near the river — drew intense scrutiny. (Click here for that “06880” story.)

P&Z members also questioned the sequence of steps. The DPIC has reimagined all of downtown, including the Taylor (“lower library”) lot by Jesup Green, and the lot on Imperial Avenue now used by the Westport Farmers’ Market.

Since the Taylor/Jesup Green plan adds parking (and a playground) downtown, commissioners asked, why not do that work prior to Parker Harding?

If town officials do not want to add parking there before eliminating it behind Main Street, they suggested the plan be reconsidered to improve fire safety, add the 4 ADA-compliant handicap spaces the lot currently lacks, spruce up landscaping and the current boardwalk — but also retain more parking.

After 3 hours of discussion, at Ratkiewich’s request the P&Z agreed to continue the proposal to November 6.

Now, it’s back — literally — to the drawing board.

(“06880” reached out to DPIC chair Randy Herbertson. He was not immediately available to comment.)

Artists’ renderings for the Parker Harding plan show 2-way traffic and perpendicular parking, with a pedestrian walkway from the Main Street tunnel (right) to the Saugatuck River. The backs of the stores are stylized; they would not look like that.

 

19 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Local politics, Transportation

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P&Z Puts Brakes On Parker Harding

Posted on October 24, 2023 | 8 comments

Like drivers throughout town, the Parker Harding project is still waiting for a green light.

Meeting virtually last night, the Planning & Zoning Commission deferred a decision on the first phase of a long-debated plan for the area between the backs of Main Street stores, and the Saugatuck River.

Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich and Downtown Plan Implementation Committee chair Randy Herbertson presented the newest iteration of the first phase of the plan. Officially, this was an “8-24” review at the request of 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.

After much public feedback, it reinstates the cut-through road from Main Street to the Post Road.

It also calls for 2-way traffic closest to the backs of Main Street stores; the addition of green space near the riverl the relocation of the dumpsters away from their current central location, and — most controversially — a reduction of 45 parking spaces.

The Parker Harding plan. Click on or hover over to enlarge.

Ratkiewich explained that the decision on parking spots resulted from a combination of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, new standards for parking spots (the current ones are too tight), and the maneuverability of fire equipment.

Commissioners and members of the public offered many comments and questions. While praising parts of the plan, they found the elimination of nearly 4 dozen parking spots problematic.

They asked about traffic patterns, perpendicular rather than angled parking, sustainability and flooding.

Parker Harding Plaza flooded on October 27, 2018. There was no rain — just an unexpected high tide. (Photo/Eliza Barr for Inklings)

They also wondered about the sequence of steps. The DPIC has reimagined all of downtown, including the Taylor (“lower library”) lot by Jesup Green, and the lot on Imperial Avenue now used by the Westport Farmers’ Market.

Since the Taylor/Jesup Green plan adds parking (and a playground) downtown, they asked, why not do that work prior to Parker Harding?

If town officials do not want to add parking there before eliminating it behind Main Street, they suggested the plan be reconsidered to improve fire safety, add the 4 ADA-compliant handicap spaces the lot currently lacks, spruce up landscaping and the current boardwalk — but also retain more parking.

The DPIC is still waiting for a green light. At Ratkiewich’s request — and after 3 hours of talk — the P&Z agreed to continue its discussion on November 6.

A screenshot from the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee shows the current Parker Harding lot. The cut-through lane closest to the river would be moved further east, adding green space. The middle cut-through would be eliminated. Parking spaces would be widened, to meet current regulations.

(Every day, “06880” covers important issues like this. If you support local journalism, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Click here — and thank you!)

8 Comments

Posted in Categories, Downtown, Local politics

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Next Stop For Parker Harding: P&Z On Monday

Posted on October 18, 2023 | 26 comments

Before any municipal project is approved, state statutes require an “8-24” hearing.

That’s the next step for Parker Harding Plaza.

On Monday (October 23, 7 p.m., Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission will discuss a request by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker to adopt the plan hammered out by the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee.

It would reconfigure the parking lot behind Main Street — built on landfill in the 1950s — to increase riverfront access, add 2-way traffic (while retaining the “cut-through” route), and make other changes.

Changes planned for Parker-Harding Plaza 

A town-wide charrette in August mollified some residents However, others still have concerns.

Annette Norton is both a downtown merchant and a Westport resident. She has owned Savvy + Grace for 6 years. She also meticulously restored a 1700s North Avenue home,

She writes:

“I am deeply concerned about the DPIC project, including:

  • Redesigning Parker Harding parking lot and taking away 44 parking spots.
  • Moving the trash to the river.
  • Taking away loading zones, so traffic will be held up in the parking lot when businesses get their deliveries.

“My proposal/solution is to make a beautiful boardwalk by the river, leading people to the existing green space we already have downtown — Veterans Green — while encouraging additional exploration with a walking path throughout all downtown.

“Maybe we can increase the current footprint all the way to Coffee An’.

“How is losing 44 spots okay? And if we are trying to entice people to hang out by the river, were will they park?

“Downtown businesses rely on locals. When they cannot find parking, they shop elsewhere.

“DPIC brought up safety, which I take seriously. To my knowledge, the Fire Department has never had issues, since the parking lot was created.

“The current plan moves trash right next to the river. That can lead to trash falling along the road and parking lot, and traveling into the river. There are also safety issues for employees crossing the road to take out the trash.

“I love our downtown. I want it to survive and thrive for generations to come. Compo Beach and downtown are the crown jewels of our town. Thank you for your consideration and care.”

(Click here to view a livestream of Monday’s meeting. It will also be shown on Optimum Channel 79 and Frontier Channel 6020. Comments may be sent to PandZ@westportct.gov.)

26 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Local business, Local politics

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Roundup: LobsterFest, Long Lots, Parker Harding …

Posted on September 23, 2023 | 5 comments

Today’s Westport Rotary Club LobsterFest is on, “rain or shine.”

And it will be rain.

Despite the forecast, Rotarians and others were busy yesterday, preparing Compo Beach for the large crowd (still) expected this afternoon.

Among the volunteers: members of the Staples Service League of Boys (SLOBs), Builders Beyond Borders, M&T Bank and the National Charity League.

A few of the many volunteers setting up LobsterFest yesterday. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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The Long Lots School Building Committee holds a special meeting this Tuesday September 26, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A ).

The agenda includes 15 minutes of public comment and/or questions regarding the feasibility study project, followed by a work session with the design team for project status updates, review and discussion. The public can  attend the work session, but not participate.

The Long Lots School Building Committee will continue to discuss plans at its Tuesday meeting.

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Another meeting of note: The Joint Committee of the Historic District Commission and Architectural Review Board will hold a public Zoom meeting on October 3 (7 p.m.). to review and comment on the proposed redevelopment of Parker Harding Plaza.

The notice says, “Comments offered at the meeting will be considered in anticipation of further zoning review and approvals.”

Click here for the Zoom link. Click here for all relevant materials.

One element of the planned redevelopment of Parker Harding Plaza.

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Club 203’s first event of the season Wednesday night kicked off the second year for Westport’s club for adults with disabilities.

Attendees gathered at Toquet Hall. They watched Sharuna Mahesh’s video, recapping highlights of last year — a great way to reconnect after the summer.

Then came rousing karaoke run by PJ Pitcher, and an art project hosted by MoCA Westport. I

Next up: a “Halloween Bingo and BBQ” at the Senior Center. Click here for more information.

Club 203 karaoke at Toquet Hall.

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Nile Rodgers did not have to travel far for last night’s gig at Forest Hills Stadium.

Ed Paul reports: “He played an absolute top shelf, kick-ass show.

“He and his group Chic covered not only their songs but a lot of the others from famous artists that Nile has collaborated with.

“He was very engaging with the audience, and commented that he has beaten cancer twice and while he’s currently cancer-free, he’s still old AF!”

Nile Rodgers at Forest Hills Stadium. (Photo/Ed Paul)

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Meanwhile, in the other direction, Old Dominion ripped it up at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

The multi-award-winning Nashville-based band is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Brad Tursi. Westporters know him as a 1997 graduate of Staples High School — and a former soccer star for the state finalist Wreckers.

Brad Tursi (left) with Old Dominion at Mohegan Sun. (Photo/Tom Scarice)

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Here’s a truly cool event: Small Car Company’s annual Air-Cooled Charity Car Show on October 8 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Veterans Green; free, and family-friendly).

It’s a benefit to raise funds and awareness for 2 non-profits: Northeast Community Cycles (which provides bikes free of charge to underprivileged children) and the Bikeport Co-Op (a program where youth earn bikes by attending bike safety and maintenance courses, and performing volunteer hours with local organizations). 

The show features dozens of vintage Porsches, Volkswagens, Corvairs and other rare and special air-cooled cars and motorcycles from around the tri-state area.

In conjunction with the classic car show, Small Car Company  has partnered with Westport’s Total Training & Endurance for a bike tour, starting and finishing at Veterans Green. The $40 per rider cost includes a post-ride meal. Funds benefit Northeast Community Cycles and Bikeport Co-Op.

Small Car Company does other good work too — for example, hosting students who attend skilled trade auto-technology schools in a “Mentors & Motors” program during the show.

Students meet and learn from experienced mentors from many sectors of the automotive industry, including historic restoration, modern production automotive repair, sales, design, and photography.

Click here for more details.

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The Gridiron Club has announced its 2023 inductees for the Staples High School Wall of Fame.

Congratulations to former players DJ Stefkovich (2006), Brian Levine (’06), Josh Kozel (’08), Matt Kelly (’09), Rob Gau (’11), James Frusciante (’13), Joey Zelkowitz (’13), Declan O’Keefe, plus Staples assistant principal James Farnen and Westport PAL football president and former PAL coach Carmen Roda.

Congratulations to all! The ceremony takes place November 3, at halftime of the Wreckers’ game against Trumbull.

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Speaking of sports: The 10th annual Westport Police Benevolent Association Golf Tournament is October 23, at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull.

It’s a scramble format. Funds raised go to college scholarships for PBA members, as well as 2 to Staples High seniors who will pursue degrees in law enforcement.

The day includes raffles, and prizes for longest drive, closest to pin, closest to line, and the winning foursome.

Checks ($250 for one participant, $1,000 for a foursome) can be sent to Westport PBA Scholarship Fund, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. Questions? Call 203-803-0215, or email jlauria@westportct.gov.

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Eleven Staples High School seniors have qualified as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

Congratulations to Emerson Briggs, Leigh Foran, Dania Hemdan, Peter Loranger, Ellen Ou, Surya Rao, Jameson Russell, Ella Tobben, Elizabeth Turner, Darren T Weng and Gabriel Weng.

Fewer than 1 percent of the over 1.5 million students who took the PSAT/NMSQT qualifying exam will compete for 7,140 National Merit scholarships, worth more than $28 million.

National Merit semifinalists (from left): Leigh Foran, Emerson Briggs, Elizabeth Turner, Peter Loranger, Dania Hemdan,  Jameson Russell, Surya Rao, Darren Weng, Gabriel Weng, Ellen Ou. Missing: Ella Tobben.

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Controversy continues to dog Dave McCormick.

On Thursday, the former Bridgewater CEO announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania US Senate seat held by Democrat Bob Casey.

The Republican — born and raised near Pittsburgh — laid out his bona fides as a “7th-generation Pennsylvanian.”

But he also maintains a home on Beachside Avenue. And, critics say, that’s where he spends most of his time.

On Monday, as he sought the endorse of Doug Mastriano — the losing gubernatorial nominee last fall, who had considered a Senate run himself — flight records show that a plane co-owned by McCormick flew from Bridgeport to Harrisburg at 8:28 a.m. It returned to Connecticut that afternoon.

Click here for the Politico story. (Hat tip: Allan Siegert)

David McCormick

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Sorelle Gallery’s next exhibition, “A Million Possibilities,” features new works by Connecticut artist Sofie Swann. It opens Friday (September 29), with a reception no Saturday (September 30, 3 to 5 p.m.).

Born in Iran, Swann’s abstract paintings are centered around her emotional response to experiences and memories, particularly her struggle to find a place to call home after being forced to leave Iran and immigrate to the US. For more information, click here.

Artwork by Sofie Swann.

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Jay Babina earned “06880” fame as the founder/curator/mastermind of the great, creative and very wide-ranging Westport Tech Museum.

Today he returns as a contributing photographer for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

Is there anything this teenager can’t do?!

(Photo/Jay Babina)

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And finally … in honor of the debate over whether Dave McCormick really lives in Pennsylvania or Westport:

(Wherever you live, you know “06880” is your “home” for local journalism. Please support our work, by clicking here. Thank you!)

 

 

5 Comments

Posted in Arts, Local business, Local politics, Politics, Sports, Staples HS

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[OPINION] Longshore-like Option Needed For Parker Harding

Posted on September 22, 2023 | 59 comments

Robert Augustyn, his wife Katie and son Will moved to Westport in 1996. He has coached Little League, and volunteered with the Westport Library, Food Rescue US and Bridgeport First Serve.

Robert Augustyn

He has spent most of his professional career as a dealer of rare maps, books and prints. In 2019 he opened Robert Augustyn Rare Maps & Prints here, which has deepened his interest in Westport’s history. He has spoken widely on the subject of early maps to groups like the Rotary Clubs, and is the author of the award-winning Manhattan in Maps.

Robert writes:

In 1960, Westport did the unthinkable and purchased a failing private country club in a weak economy for just about $2 million — roughly $20 million today.  Sheer insanity!

Yet it happened. And today we enjoy as public amenities what private country club members pay many thousands of dollars to partake in.

The audacity of this acquisition drew national acclaim.  It’s a great story of a few visionaries, and a bipartisan effort leading to sudden and overwhelming enthusiasm in the town.

What magnificent courage! Without it our beloved Longshore would have become Longshore Estates or some such, and Westport would have been set on a path to become another sequestered haven only for the very rich, where most of the town’s most beautiful areas would be irrevocably privatized.

The town’s purchase of Longshore in 1960 prevented it from becoming an 180-home residential development.

We are, I believe, at another such point in our town’s history in facing the question of what to do with the Parker Harding parking lot, our Saugatuck River frontage, and in a larger sense, the character of our downtown.

In debating this, I believe we have left off the table the bold, brave, Longshore-like option.

There has been much well-meaning discussion in recent years regarding the need for greater community connection and public spaces that foster interpersonal interaction. Having a more pedestrian-friendly downtown that invites lingering, that is more pedestrian friendly, more village-like, has been offered as an answer to the above needs.

Parker Harding Plaza (Drone photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)

None of the recent plans for our downtown really address this generally felt desire for a downtown with a more community feel.

Also, there is nothing in these plans that would meaningfully enhance enjoyment of the river, especially as long as there is a clogged parking lot adjacent to it; nothing in them that would encourage anyone to linger longer in downtown for the sheer pleasure of the experience.

Most would agree the Parker Harding lot is unsightly and unpleasant to navigate to say the least, and that it all but obliterates enjoyment of our riverfront, which could and should be the true focus in the re-making our downtown.

The current plan with the added greenery and trees, I believe, would hardly change at all the felt, on-the-ground experience of being in our downtown.

What would? True transformation, I believe, could only be realized by completely eliminating the Parker Harding lot, and building out another layer of retail space from the existing retails spaces. The rest would be a spacious promenade all the way to the river.

A good portion of the new retail space would be occupied by restaurants that would extend seating into the promenade, as found in many European port or riverside cities. COVID taught us that restaurants can offer outdoor seating virtually year-round, as is now commonly seen in New York.

Riverfront in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana.

I believe this configuration would also draw a much wider range of retailers than we currently have, and that the promenade can host kiosks for well-selected specialty retailers.

Also, there would be ample room for a bandshell or its modern equivalent, carefully curated food trucks, and whatever else might be added to a welcoming and fascinating space.

Overall, the goal of this approach is both modest and profound: to create a beautiful space where time can be spent pleasantly, where people would want to linger and slowing take in their surroundings. I believe much good can come of this simple end — both in terms of community connection and commercial vigor.

What about parking?

This would be the other audacious part. Build a parking garage in the conveniently located, very large Elm Street parking area. The first — of many I’m sure — objections would be that it would be an eyesore.

I answer that by saying I’m sure that Westport, with its devotion to the arts, can find a way to make this an appealing structure, by challenging local artists to help make it so.

Cost actually should not be a great obstacle. Searching online regarding the cost of such a structure, I came up with a back-of-an-envelope calculation of $10 million for 300 to 500 cars.

Another possibility resulting from the presence of of a parking garage would be the option to ban parking on Main Street and convert it to a 2-way road to compensate for the loss the Parker Harding cut-through.

It is often difficult to be aware of when a community is standing at a crossroads regarding its future. But as we contemplate the future of our downtown, let us at least be honest with ourselves.

Proposed project in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

There is a choice to be made here that will influence subsequent generations.  It is this: Do we want our downtown to remain a not particularly pleasant place to quickly shop, dine and leave?

And in the case of the Parker Harding lot and the cut-through road along the riverfront, a decidedly unpleasant experience to be gotten through with hardly a glance at river?

Again, we must be really honest here: the current proposals for the Parker Harding lot would not substantively change this.

Or do we want our riverfront to become a true destination for both our own community and those from outside of it, where one would actually want to leisurely congregate, de-compress, stroll and mingle, take in the lovely, tidal Saugatuck River, and provide for us and future generations a soul-nourishing experience?

To put it another way: Are we content to essentially leave things as they are regarding the Parking Harding lot and our downtown, which would be the case if some version of the current plan is adopted, or do we want to do the hard, brave thing that would truly transform our downtown?

As always, readers are invited to respond. Click “Comments” below.

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