Westport’s Parker Harding Plaza design still not approved
WESTPORT — For Parker Harding Plaza, the third redesign wasn’t the charm a few months ago, and now a fourth might not be either.
Four plans have been proposed to make parking spaces larger, become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire code, mitigate flooding, improve circulation and add green space. But the newest plan — proposed to the Planning and Zoning Commission last week — still has critics, from business owners and officials to some commissioners.
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said one of her administration’s priorities is funding the design specifications for Parker Harding Plaza. That was her goal two years ago. Since then, the plan has been changed four times after feedback from the public and various boards.
“When I say downtown is a priority, I really do mean it,” said Tooker, who has also requested funds for design specifications of the Jesup, Imperial and Taylor parking lots.
The Planning and Zoning Commission did not vote on the Parker Harding redesign last week, pushing that decision out to a future meeting.
The way the Parker Harding parking lot is situated doesn’t comply with ADA and fire code guidelines, Department of Public Works Director Pete Ratkiewich said. Tearing it up and rebuilding it exactly how it looks now, with proper compliance, would remove about 57 parking spaces.
The spaces there are smaller than typical parking standards, he said.
In a plan presented in October, the lot would lose 40 spaces, Ratkiewich said, and performing the work in phases would be an issue, which was determined to be unacceptable by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The general idea of Parker Harding stays the same since the last iteration, adding green space, vegetation, artwork and waterfront access for visitors. The new plan proposes to build 44 parking spots on the southern side of downtown, on the open space known as Jesup Green, while beautifying the remaining open space. He said this would still be close enough to downtown for people to use.
Ratkiewich said these spots would be installed before anything is done to Parker Harding, which should help with phasing.
There are currently 42 parking spaces between the library and police department, which is the Jesup lot. They were already intending to build up this lot, so they want to add 44 spaces before Parker Harding’s work.
“This will mitigate the 40 spaces that will be eventually lost in Parker Harding, and, during construction, it will provide a place for people to park,” Ratkiewich said.
Jesup Road would be realigned to increase parking along it, as well as a
few other lots near the Gillespie Center. Taylor lot would be cut in half, but it would be a zero loss of parking when all is done.
“We’re trying to react quickly to comments that we hear,” Ratkiewich said.
In an interview, Representative Town Meeting District 9 member Sal Liccione said the town should focus on the needs of downtown employees.
“We need more parking, not less,” said Liccione, whose district is downtown.
Liccione said he wants officials to host a meeting with all downtown businesses to get their input, something echoed by Patrick Jean, owner of Nomade.
Jean said he is concerned employees could get tickets, with unlimited downtown parking ending this spring. He suggested establishing employee-only spaces, mimicking other towns that have dedicated parking spaces for employees.
For him, parking is the need, not more green space.
“Many people are driving to the town to park, not go to a park,” he said.
At last week’s meeting, Commissioner Jennifer Johnson said the plan needs to be fleshed out.
“The public just hasn’t really had a chance to envision the change to Jesup Green,” she said.