Tag Archives: Post Road West

Roundup: Kings Highway El, Farmers’ Market, Ryan Price …

Posted on March 29, 2022 | 5 comments

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In October 2020, Kings Highway Elementary celebrated National Walk to School Day. Hundreds of youngsters walked that day.

Because there were no “School Zone” signs on Post Road West, parents made sure the event went smoothly.

A year and a half later, signs are up. There are flashing signs too.

The KHS PTA thanks 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, State Senator Will Haskell, RTM member Christine Meiers Schatz, Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich, PTA past president Kim Ceman and the school’s parents for making the signs a reality.

“As the only elementary school in town on a state road with a playground bordering it, these new safety measures give parents a huge feeling of relief,” the KHS PTA says.

Kings Highway PTA co-presidents Jeni Bianco and Lindsay Shurman flank principal Tracey Carbone, at the new Post Road West sign and flashing light.

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The Westport Farmers’ Market is very direct. They bring fresh produce directly from the farm to you. They directly impact our environment and lifestyles, in positive ways.

And the name of their fundraiser is very direct too. Not to mention quite clever.

“Fork It Over” is set for April 24 (noon to 3 p.m., The Whelk). Highlights include auctions of the very popular #WhoGrowsYourFood photo exhibit by Anne Burmeister and Ashley Skatoff, and other great items.

Can’t attend? The same images will be for sale, starting April 1. They’re at the same link for tickets (also April 1).

Money raised at “Fork It Over” directly supports vendors, reduces operating expenses, helps expand educational programming, and funds philanthropic efforts.

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Ryan Price — a 1995 Staples High School graduate now living in Fairfield — is an avid and experienced mountain bike rider. Earlier this month, at the end of a business trip in Austin, Texas, he fractured his neck in a cycling accident. He was airlifted to a trauma center, in underwent 10 hours of surgery. He has no feeling from the chest down.

He is now at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey. A long road of physical and occupational therapy lies ahead. Fortunately, Ryan did not suffer a head injury. He is focused on the hard work ahead.

While he and his wife Janice have a hard time asking for and accepting help, his many friends and colleagues have offered donations for medical costs not covered by insurance, modifications to their home, transportation, childcare, and the many other challenges they will encounter. Click here for Ryan’s GoFundMe page.

The family is researching cutting-edge treatments including STEM cells. Funds will also help provide access to new technology and treatment options.

Ryan is an enterprise sales executive at Khoros, and loves working with clients to solve problems. Outside of work Ryan enjoys music (at Providence College, he played in a band). He loves trips to Maine with his family and friends, and has a passion for coaching his two boys who enjoy sports of all kinds.

Ryan and Janice have been overwhelmed by the support so many have shown. Janice will provide updates about Ryan’s progress soon, via CaringBridge.

Ryan and Janice Price, and their boys.

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Westporter Barbara Ross-Innamorati owns Evocateur, the East Norwalk artisan jewelry company. Every piece is designed and made by hand.

They created a collection of Sunflower jewelry — in honor of Ukraine’s national flower — and are donating 100% of the profits to Save the Children Ukraine.

The response has been excellent, from retailers and customers. The jewelry can be purchased online, or locally at Lux Bond & Green.

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Jane Wright Wolf — a member of the prestigious Salamagundi Art Club of New York — has donated a number of stunning pieces, for a special sale. 100% of all proceeds benefit the Weston Senior Center.

Wolf’s work is available for purchase at the Weston Senior Center (9 School Road), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays throughout April. A special opening is set for this Saturday (April 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Jane Wright Wolf, and 2 of her works.

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The caption for today’s gorgeous “Westport … Naturally” image is succinct and strong.

Photographer David Vita says simply: “It’s that time of year at the Unitarian Church in Westport.”

(Photo/David Vita)

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And finally … in honor of Barbara Ross-Inamorati’s sunflower fundraiser for Ukraine:

 

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Posted in Children, Education, Environment, Local business, Transportation

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Pic Of The Day #1715

Posted on December 27, 2021 | Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #1715

Moon over downtown Westport (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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Roundup: Bus Accident, Sundance, Itzhak Perlman …

Posted on May 11, 2021 | 2 comments

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There’s a “For Lease” sign outside the old Post Road West building, near Wright Street.

But, Frank Rosen notes, the building is in disrepair. Paint is peeling; shingles are askew. It will take a lot more than a new tenant to bring back some of the beauty to this once-handsome mansion-turned-office.

Demolition by neglect?

(Photo/Frank Rosen)

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There was a school bus accident yesterday, on Easton Road near Bayberry Lane. In the photo below, a small car was wedged under the far side of the bus.

Sandy Rothenberg says: “I have traveled this intersection for the past 35 years. It has become increasingly dangerous. The sight lines are very limited, and cars fly around the curve on Easton Road towards Westport. A very small sign indicates ‘slow curve.’ I hope this brings needed attention and improvements to this road.”

(Photo/Sandy Rothenberg)

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Sundance has opened on Main Street — by appointment only, anyway.

A sign on the former Anny Taylor store instructs shoppers to scan a QR code, for a link to an email.

No word yet on when the physical doors will open.

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

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Don’t miss Itzhak Perlman in Westport!

Tickets are still available for the Westport Library’s “Booked for the Evening” event this Thursday (May 13, 7 p.m.).

This year’s livestreamed “Booked” fundraiser will include videos, live musical tributes, and a conversation with Perlman that is just for this audience. No recording will be made of the program.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Itzhak Perlman

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Speaking of the Library: One of the “star attractions” of the transformed space is Verso Studios. The state-of-the-art audio and broadcast studios can help anyone become a music, podcast, video or audiobook star.

Yesterday, the library launched a new Verso Studios website. Click here to watch and listen to a wide variety of recordings, podcasts and videos — and to find out how to use the studios yourself.

Part of the Westport Library’s Verso Studios.

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In March, “06880” reported on a proposal by Abilis to turn 136 Riverside Avenue into a home for special needs affordable housing.

The Planning & Zoning Commission has granted a permit for a second floor addition, interior and exterior renovations, and site work for apartments for 4 special needs people, and another unit for an income-eligible staff member.

More approvals are needed. But this is good news for special needs individuals and their families. And it’s 5 more important affordable housing units for our town.

136 Riverside Avenue.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci and former 2nd Selectman/Board of Finance chair Avi Kaner shared a stage last night.

The New York Board of Rabbis honored both men with Humanitarian Awards , for their work during the pandemic.

Dr. Fauci’s contributions are well known. Kaner’s may be less famous. But the co-owner of Morton Williams Supermarkets was cited for the work his family-owned business did during the pandemic.

Morton Williams stores never closed. Employees kept working; senior executives ensured that the supply chain continued.

The company became a lifeline to New York. They worked with the CDC to adjust trucking regulations so that truckers would be comfortable making deliveries. They were among the first in the nation to set aside special hours for seniors and immunocompromised customers; they lobbied aggressively for mask use, and ensured that supermarket workers were included in phase 1B of the state’s vaccinations.

Click below for a clip of the introduction:

Click below for Kaner’s speech:

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Thomas Quealy spotted this on North Compo Road.

“Time to update our signs,” he says.

(Photo/Thomas Quealy)

He’s right. The Westport Arts Center moved over a year ago from Riverside Avenue to Newtown Turnpike.

In fact, it no longer exists. It’s now called MoCA Westport.

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Staples High School Class of 2019 graduate Anthony Salgado met Pierce Slutzky years ago, at Camp Laurel. Anthony says:

“Pierce was an amazing kid who was taken from us at age 17. He was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 14, and tirelessly fought medulloblastoma for 3 years.

“Pierce did not complain. He continued in high school, achieving an A average and making National Honor Society and Foreign Language Society.

“It is my honor to ask people to join in a CT Challenge bike ride to keep Pierce’s fight alive forever. I want to help those who are currently diagnosed, and those who may be diagnosed in the future.” Click here for the link.

Pierce Slutzky

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” shot comes from Roseann Spengler. She spotted this cute couple by the Saugatuck River:

(Photo/Roseann Spengler)

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And finally … Lloyd Price died last week in New Rochelle, from complications of diabetes. He was 88.

He had “Personality.” He had many other hits, including “Stagger Lee” and “Lawdy Miss Clawdy.” He’s a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. He led quite a life inside and outside of music. Click here for a full obituary.

 

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Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Library, Local business, Local politics, Real estate, technology, Transportation

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Judge Rules In Favor Of Cross Street Development

Posted on July 13, 2020 | 27 comments

In October 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously rejected a plan to build a 6-story, 81-unit apartment complex between Lincoln and Cross Streets, off Post Road West.

The 7-0 vote was based on fire, traffic and other safety concerns, as well as historic preservation.

The developer — Cross Street LLC — appealed.

Last week, state Superior Court Judge Andrew Roraback sustained the appeal. He noted that despite evidence supporting fire and traffic safety issues, and historic preservation, none of those reasons “clearly outweighed” the need for affordable housing.

The proposal had been brought under Connecticut’s 8-30g statute. It allows a developer to override local zoning regulations if at least 10% of a town’s housing stock is not “affordable.” Westport’s is not — although affordable housing built before 1990 is not considered under the formula.

However, the judge added that the developer must ask the town’s Traffic Authority — which, in Westport, is the Board of Selectmen — to remove some existing on-street parking spaces, to accommodate the sight lines needed.

A number of neighborhood residents rely on street parking. Driveways are small and narrow; some lack garages, and some homes have multiple tenants.

The town has 20 days from the issuance of the decision to appeal.

27 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Real estate, Transportation

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Pic Of The Day #1106

Posted on April 27, 2020 | 5 comments

Intriguing lines, at the Post Road West/Wilton Road intersection (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)

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Photo Challenge #269

Posted on February 23, 2020 | 24 comments

Last week’s pre-Presidents Day Photo Challenge featured Anne Bernier’s shot of a plaque, honoring George Washington’s November 11, 1789 visit to Westport. (His 4th time here, though his only one as president.)

So where was the old Marvin Tavern — and where is the plaque today? (Click here for the photo.)

As Morley Boyd, Peter Barlow and Amy Schneider quickly noted, it stood on what we now call Post Road West, near Kings Highway South. Specifically, the plaque is at #290. That’s the United Food & Commercial Workers building, next to the empty UBS headquarters. Probably the only people who see the plaque are in the parking lot. Not a lot of foot traffic there.

According to Woody Klein’s history of Westport, President Washington spent the night of November 11, 1789 at the inn of Captain Ozias Marvin. His wife Sarah and her daughters cooked up a mammoth meal: “loaves of brown bread, pies, the finest vegetables from their farm, huge roasts hanging from an open fire.”

However, President Washington asked only for a bowl of bread, and milk. (The rest of his party enjoyed the feast.) In his diary, Washington called it “not a good house, though the people of it were disposed to do all they could to accommodate me.”

Today’s Photo Challenge seems pretty easy.

(Photo/Peter Tulupman)

Obviously, it’s 157 Riverside Avenue.

So here’s the question: Why is this a Photo Challenge?

If you know, click “Comments” below.

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Posted in History, Photo Challenge

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If You Thought All That Construction At The Post Road And Riverside Was About A Turning Lane …

Posted on December 27, 2019 | 7 comments

… think again.

A new utility pole just went up at what has been called “the worst intersection in the state.”

(Photo/Jeff Manchester)

I’m going waaaay out on a limb here with a prediction for 2020:

Traffic will continue to suck there.

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Posted in Downtown, Transportation

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Post Road Real Estate: Tenants Needed!

Posted on December 11, 2019 | 45 comments

In June of 2017, alert “06880” reader/Westport Museum of History and Culture house historian Bob Weingarten drove the entire Westport stretch of the Post Road. He counted the number of commercial buildings with either a “For Rent” or “For Sale” sign.

There were 50.

He shared the information on “06880.” It generated 57 comments.

Two years later he did it again. This time there were 65 commercial properties  looking for tenants — 15 more. Many — including 2 former banks, a gas station and several large retail storefronts — were still vacant from 2 years earlier.

The Mobil Self-Serve property next to Barnes & Noble remains vacant.

Once again, Bob’s story touched a nerve. Fifty readers commented.

The 3rd time — a couple of weeks ago — showed another increase. Now, 72 commercial buildings are available for rent or purchase.

Bob says that one bank building was added to the already empty two. Large retail storefronts still not occupied include the old Pier 1,  and XL Clothing building.

The Mobil gas station near Barnes & Noble, and the large garden center near Stop & Shop are still vacant.

Additionally, 2 new commercial buildings near the new Ignazio’s Pizza (just west of Sherwood Diner), with townhouses in the rear, are unoccupied.

Newly constructed — and not yet rented — space at the foot of Long Lots and the Post Road.

Bob is “alarmed” by the number of empty stores adjacent to Fresh Market.

A renovated large office building on Post Road West will start renting in January, for use as co-working and shared offices.

Empty space on Post Road West, just up the hill from Wright Street.

“I don’t understand how we can be told the economy is getting better and better, with the increasing number of available, empty commercial units,” Bob says.

And, he adds, his figures do not include the apartments that may be available across from Greens Farms Elementary School, or the new townhouses near the diner.

“Several empty available commercial spaces are now occupied — but they are relocations from other spaces on the Post Road, filling one spot but leaving another unoccupied,” he notes. These include Sam Slots Coins, Millie Rae’s and Earth Animal.

“What is going on in the Westport commercial economy?” he asks.

Tons of available space near Fresh Market. (Photos/Bob Weingarten)

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Posted in Economy, Local business, People, Real estate

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Tracking The Trolley

Posted on June 12, 2019 | 15 comments

Last night, alert “06880” reader/EMS deputy director Marc Hartog was working another job: traffic agent.

He assisted a construction crew installing water service to a building at the corner of Route 1 and Riverside Avenue.

Digging for the main, they uncovered old trolley tracks in the middle of Post Road West.

(Photo/Marc Hartog)

Treating them like dinosaur relics, the crew worked around the tracks, rather than removing them.

When the service is connected to the main, they’ll back fill and cover them with asphalt.

Once again, an important bit of Westport history will lie forgotten and undisturbed — until another 21st-century project digs deep, again.

(NOTE: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, trolleys rolled up and down the Post Road, connecting towns and cities all along the coast. A spur took riders to Compo Beach. Tracks remained through the 1950s, though service had been discontinued.)

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Posted in Downtown, Looking back, Transportation

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Post Road Real Estate: 2 Years Later

Posted on April 30, 2019 | 49 comments

Alert “06880” reader Bob Weingarten writes:

In June 2017 I drove along the Post Road from the eastern border, near Bulkley Avenue, to the western end, near Whole Foods. I counted the number of buildings — including individual offices or retail space — for lease or sale. I spotted 50 signs, just on the Post Road.

These figures were the basis of an “06880” story: “This Space For Lease.” It drew 57 comments.

Because we have been told that the economy is “so strong,” I decided to drive the same route, and again count how many buildings or individual offices were for lease or sale.

This time I spotted over 65 for lease or sale. That does not include all the new residential construction on the Post Road, such as the 94 apartments at 1177 Post Road East, or the 2 mixed-use buildings with a total of 28 apartments (some in townhouses) at 793 Post Road East.

The former A&J’s Market on Post Road East is available …

While counting, I realized that this mix of for lease or sale buildings and offices was extremely different from 2017.

This time I spotted 2 bank buildings, a gas station, a farm market, a classic car dealer, and several large commercial buildings and retail outlets for lease or sale.

… as is the old Mobil Self-Serve near Barnes & Noble …

During the past 2 years many of the former for-lease buildings have been occupied. But it appears to me there is a larger inventory of space available now, with larger properties.

I have my own opinion as to the reasons — for example, higher rental rates or the economy — but other readers may have better knowledge.

… and the nearby bank, at the corner of Morningside Drive.

The 2017 Post Road story noted that there were “10 or so others on Main Street.” I just drove from the Post Road to Avery Place on Main Street, and counted 10 buildings or retail spaces for lease.

From Avery Place to Kings Highway North I saw an additional 3 more “for lease signs.”

The same questions posed in 2017 are still relevant today: “Is something wrong with Westport’s commercial real estate market? If so, are there solutions?”

Click “Comments” below to offer answers.

Or more questions.

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Posted in Downtown, Economy, Local business, Real estate

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