Camillo Remains Committed To Pedestrian Safety After Bumpouts Rejected

GREENWICH, CT — Almost two months after major projects aimed at improving pedestrian safety in downtown Greenwich were effectively killed by the Representative Town Meeting, First Selectman Fred Camillo remains committed to making improvements on Greenwich Avenue.

However, any future work could come directly out of the town's wallet, Camillo warned.

In December 2022, the RTM voted to overrule the Municipal Improvement status that was granted by planning & zoning to the Greenwich Avenue intersection improvement projects at Arch Street and Havemeyer Place and Fawcett Place and Grigg Street.

Similar to the Greenwich Avenue/Elm Street project that was completed in 2021, safety features for motorists and pedestrians would have been implemented at the intersections, along with aesthetic improvements, more green space and plantings.

Proponents said the number one priority was public safety. "Bumpouts," as they're called, would have been added to decrease crossing times in crosswalks, improve sightlines and the safety for pedestrians and motorists.

Opponents argued the construction would have encroached upon trees and war monuments, changed the character of the historic district in the area, taken away precious parking spaces, and not improved safety.

The project was to be funded entirely through a $2.8 million grant from the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) within the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

But when the RTM voted to kill the project, the grant money was killed with it.

"We worked hard to get the grant, and unfortunately votes have consequences," Camillo told Patch Monday, saying the money was sent back into the pool for other towns to use. "The bumpouts would have made it much safer, it would have beautified what's basically a little concrete boulevard, and it would have been paid for in a grant DPW worked really hard to secure. It's unfortunate, but it's a lesson learned, and now it will come out of our pockets."

Following the RTM's December vote, the town received a complaint that the Arch Street/Havemeyer Place intersection was not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The complaint was forwarded to the Greenwich Department of Human Services and commissioner Demetria Nelson.

Camillo said the town now has a 12 to 24-month period to rectify the complaint.

"At the end of the day, it may come out that we actually have to bump [the intersections] out. If we get a letter from the federal government and the state government saying that, then there's no debate," Camillo said.

Camillo said the town is working through different ideas to improve pedestrian safety on Greenwich Avenue. He noted that a pedestrian was hit there last year, and there have been three people hit in that area since 2019.

" The police department reached out and said, 'What are we going to do, because that intersection is not safe,'" Camillo said.

While he wasn't ready to publicly reveal plans, he said more information will be put forward this summer once attention turns to the following year's budget and capital projects.

"We'll be going over all of these projects and that's one that's going to have to be dealt with," Camillo said.

According to an emailed statement to Patch from DPW Communications Specialist Renee Wallace, the department is continuing to evaluate ADA compliance of sidewalk and parking facilities throughout town and make upgrades as needed.

"Minor improvements will be made to this area before we repave Greenwich Avenue which is scheduled for 2024," Wallace said.

Separate from the safety aspect, Camillo mentioned his idea to possibly install a water fountain in front of Restoration Hardware where an old drinking fountain used to be.

"The manager of the store liked it, but I'm still waiting to hear back from a few others," Camillo said. "We're looking into possibly giving a donation to some type of lit fountain there that will really be a focal point and kind of signify that you're entering into that little restaurant row area and the downtown area."