There are several ways to get from the Jesup Green parking lots to the Post Road and Main Street.
You can walk toward Starbucks. Through Taylor Place, next to Tiffany. The Walrus Alley alley. Across the Bank of America lot. Down Bay Street.
You can also take the alley between Green & Tonic and the Westport Book Shop, passing Toquet Hall on your right.
But why would you?
That quick shortcut could be the skankiest in town.
Toquet Hall alley.
It’s filthy. An array of garbage cans gives it a distinctive smell. You might not get mugged there, but it feels like you will.
Has anyone tried to clean it up?
Yes.
Basso — the restaurant a few doors down from the unnamed alley — wants to beautify it.
Sure, it would help them. But it would add to the appeal of its retail neighbors, while also offering another way to drive foot traffic across both sides of the Post Road.
A great shortcut. But little used, for obvious reasons.
Basso owner Renato Donzelli has proposed a low-cost, interactive and culturally enriching initiative. Local artists could create murals along the gray walls of the buildings. Visible from the Post Road, the artwork would showcase Westport’s history, culture and values.
The town could host a competition to choose artists. (A similar project was a great success in Norwalk, Basso’s previous home.)
At the same time, enclosing the dumpsters would provide aesthetic — and health — benefits.
Light fixtures similar to those at Basso and on Main Street would create continuity, showcase the art, and ameliorate some of those I-might-get-jumped-here fears.
Planters on both sides would add to the upgraded alley’s appeal.
Basso has helped its neighborhood in the past. In 2021 they spent more than $20,000 on pavers, light fixtures, gates, posters, tables and chairs.
Outdoor at Basso, a few yards from the alley. (Photo/JC Martin)
Basso’s landlord, Jim Randel, favors the idea.
But, Basso says, Mel Mioli, the landlord of 46 Post Road East — the building on the west side of the alley — has no interest in participating. He denied a request to string lights on the side of his structure.
Mioli told “06880” that he is concerned about safety. More pedestrians using a more attractive passageway might increase his liability in the event of an accident.
However, the idea still seems like a no-brainer (unless you’re not worried about getting brained walking on the path).
Come on, Westport. Time to rally for the alley!
(Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
