Greenwich Looks To Fix Parking Problems On Grigg Street

GREENWICH, CT — Residents on Grigg Street in downtown Greenwich are asking for the town's help to solve what they say is a long-standing problem of illegal parking and public safety issues.

Grigg Street is a small one way street that connects to Arch Street. It's the final right-hand turn before the end of Greenwich Avenue, and it features a mix of commercial and residential buildings.

Kim Isztwan, who said she's the only resident owner on Grigg Street, went before the Board of Selectmen on Thursday to ask for help and solutions.

"The double parking has been a problem for at least eight years, but since COVID it's really gotten bad," Isztwan said. "There's landscaping trucks, there are 18-wheelers. When people park at night, they put their blinkers on. It's takeout from restaurants, Uber drivers... I'm not sure what to do about it anymore. It's a safety issue."

Isztwan went on to say that her front steps end on the sidewalk, and many times she has to place a cone on the sidewalk to keep cars from parking up on the curb.

"At certain times of the day, a fire truck or ambulance cannot get down the street," she said. "I see people with dogs and baby strollers have to go out in to oncoming traffic rather than use the sidewalk because it's being used by a car or truck."

First Selectman Fred Camillo said he sees cars parked along Grigg Street when he walks in the area.

"People just park sometimes to run in and pick things up. But then when they're doing that, someone else does that, and someone else does that, and it's tough for the people who live there. It's not an easy fix," he acknowledged.

Another Grigg Street resident, Kathryn Bartunek, said she has 17 years of experience in transportation engineering, with a focus on city planning.

"I can attest that the transportation on Grigg Street is a mess, and one which causes discontent between local business owners. Residents feel taken advantage of, and it has deterred once regular customers from neighboring communities and towns from traveling to Greenwich to engage in economic and social activities," Bartunek said.

Specifically, Bartunek said she's witnessed driveways blocked for 20 minutes at a time.

"I'm concerned about the impact this would have in an emergency situation. I'm regularly required to use the street to get to my building, which is an accessibility and safety issue for walkers and local residents of a nearby assisted living community, The Mews," she added.

Bartunek noted that she's in favor of a resolution that provides reasonable parking and improved safety for residents and businesses. She also advocated for solutions that would help identify and establish property lines on Grigg Street, such as stanchions with chains between driveways.

Deputy Greenwich Police Chief Kraig Gray, who also leads the town's parking services department, spoke briefly and said he empathizes with the local residents.

"We see this regularly," Gray said. "I would just say that I don't think that we'll be able to enforce our way out of this issue. We can't station a police officer, or parking enforcement officer, there for every day, all day, because it really is a constant flow issue. Even a ticket blitz would only last but so long."

Gray explained that this is an issue that's seen throughout the downtown, central Greenwich area.

"There are some things to discuss in our strategic plan for usage that maybe will help alleviate some of the issues down in the area," he added.

No action was taken during Thursday's meeting. Camillo said he'd circle back with Isztwan and Bartunek for further discussion.

"We're open to anything that improves the quality of life for you, and does allow the economic activity to flow without negatively impacting you," Camillo said.

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, whose mother lived on Grigg Street for over 30 years, said she's aware of the ongoing parking issues, and that it's seen not only during business hours, but on weekends, too.

"I'm totally open to ideas," she said. "I'm very supportive of trying to come up with solutions."