Debate Continues On Greenwich Avenue Intersection Improvements

GREENWICH, CT — During the recent budget process, there was plenty of debate around the proposed Greenwich Avenue intersection improvements.

That debate continued on Thursday, as the project took its first step by appearing before the Board of Selectmen for Municipal Improvement status. The board took no action, and will likely revisit the item in two weeks. Once approved, the project will move to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

In May, the Representative Town Meeting narrowly voted to approve $2.8 million for the improvements, which are slated for Arch Street/Havemeyer Place, and Fawcett Place/Grigg Street.

A similar project was completed last year at Elm Street with intersection bump outs. The bump outs decrease the crossing distance for pedestrians, slow down cars approaching the intersection and improve sight lines, according to town officials.

Opponents say the project will take away precious parking spaces and impact historic war monuments in the area.

Supporters, like First Selectman Fred Camillo, said those claims are unfounded, and the improvements are needed to enhance pedestrian and driver safety, and aesthetics on the Avenue.

Greenwich Department of Public Works Deputy Commissioner Jim Michel appeared before the board on Thursday.

"As part of these improvements, we're adding 12 parking spaces. These are safety improvements to address pedestrian safety. Both of these intersections have almost, in some cases, more pedestrians going through them than vehicles. So we're making additional pedestrian improvements because of that," Michel said, noting that mid-day on Saturdays there could be upwards of 800 pedestrians going through the intersections.

"By doing these improvements, we're better aligning the intersection at Havemeyer, we're reducing the crossing distance people have to cross and we're improving visibility," Michel added.

Another goal of the project is to modify a few ADA acceptable parking stalls, Michel said, and giving Greenwich Avenue a "facelift" by adding landscaping, plantings and benches.

Michel tried to quell concerns residents have about the project, which are being paid for by a grant from a state program that's specifically for transportation improvements.

Michel said the project will not impact the war memorial in front of the Board of Education building, or the statue of Col. R.C. Bolling at Arch Street, and he stressed that parking spaces will be added.

The memorial in front of the Board of Education building will actually be improved, Michel said. There are plans to place the sidewalk slightly closer to that area along with a pathway up to the memorial.

Still, residents had concerns.

"This is clearly a historical district in Greenwich. It has plaques, it has signs, it has been dedicated as a historical district," said resident David Wold, a member of the Byram Veterans Association. "Now we see DPW reconstructing the triangle which has been referred to as the plaza where the World War I monument is."

Camillo reminded Wold the monuments will not be touched.

"None of these things are going to be disrupted when the work is done," Camillo said. "None."

Christina Volkwein, an RTM member from District 2, had concerns about parking, and wondered if the project would infringe upon open space.

Michel said all work is being done within the town's right of way.

Jane Sprung, another RTM member from District 10, also voiced concerns about parking spaces.

"My 88 and 89-year-old in-laws who've visited Greenwich for 30 years can no longer go to the Avenue because they can't find a parking spot close enough to a business or restaurant they want to go to. Twelve spots off the Avenue really aren't going to be helpful," she said.

Camillo said the town is looking at different solutions to help with the decades old problem of trying to find a spot on the Avenue.

"We're looking at other things to add more parking without adding ugly standalone parking structures that have been proposed in the past that lots of us did not like," he said.

Don Sylvester, commander of the Byram Veterans Association, said police cars and fire engines would be slowed down going through the intersections on their way to an emergency.

Camillo said the town worked with first responders when the Elm Street project was planned, and they tested emergency vehicles before construction.

"It does not slow them down," Camillo said.

Sylvester also lamented about the fact that the intersections will change after remaining largely untouched for over 100 years.

"Everything evolves," Camillo said. "We're trying to bring things up to 2022, while trying to respect our past, but also trying to enhance things for the future."