Greenwich Selectmen Greenlight Greenwich Avenue Intersection Improvements

GREENWICH, CT — Plans for the next round of Greenwich Avenue intersection improvements took the next step on Thursday, as the Board of Selectmen granted Municipal Improvement status for the project. The plans will now move on 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. The project is being paid for by a grant from a state program that's specifically for transportation improvements.

Throughout the budget process and even after the funds were approved, there has been plenty of debate about the project, which aims to increase green space and aesthetics, shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and increase sightlines for drivers, and improve ADA accessibility.

First Selectman Fred Camillo said Thursday he has received letters of support for the improvements from the Commission on Aging, Greenwich Communities, Greenwich Fire Department, Greenwich police and the ADA community.

"We're very happy a broad section of the community and our most vulnerable users have weighed in on this," he said.

Critics have said the improvements — or bump outs — would take away precious parking spaces. But Camillo, a major champion of the project, and Greenwich Department of Public Works Deputy Commissioner Jim Michel, have said 12 parking spots will be added.

Several town veterans have also voiced concern about the potential impact on historic war monuments in the area.

Michel said in the past 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.

On Thursday, Michel went before the board to ask for the MI status. He said he met with the Historic District Commission on Wednesday night to hash out details of the project.

"In general, we're trying to keep as much as we can with the historic nature of the area. We're trying to do things that are not going to impact the monuments," Michel said.

Michel said he received "great suggestions" on how to fine-tune the project and make modifications.

There were plans to move the sidewalk closer to the memorial in front of the Board of Ed. building to create a gathering space with a pathway leading up to it. Camillo said Thursday perhaps leaving the area as grass would be better.

"As we're adding more green space with this [project], we certainly want to keep that look and feel of the historic district as green as possible," he said.

The board voted unanimously to move the project along. Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan said that managing traffic and pedestrian crossings, especially at busy times, should be a priority.

She wondered if installing new traffic lights, or hiring crossing guards or special officers could be a possibility. Police are no longer directing traffic at Greenwich Avenue intersections.

Camillo said the idea for old fashioned traffic lights that sit low and aren't distracting has been talked about in the past, and there's been mixed reaction from the community. But he liked McGuigan's idea about the lights.

"I absolutely think it's a good idea to entertain that with the public going forward, and certainly if the public wants that I'd be willing to put it in the budget and fight for it," Camillo said. "It's a great conversation and I'm willing to have that."