Town To Reexamine Possible Greenwich Avenue Intersection Improvements

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Selectmen on Wednesday unanimously voted to approve a recommendation from the town's department of public works that could bring needed ADA improvements to Greenwich Avenue.

An ADA grievance was filed by Stephanie Cowie and Alan Gunzburg, who are both members of the First Selectman's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, following the Representative Town Meeting's December vote to halt the intersection improvement project at Arch and Grigg Streets.

With the RTM's vote, Greenwich also turned away $2.7 million in state grant money that would've paid for construction costs.

Any future work will now come out of the town's pockets, since the grant money is no longer available.

In response to the grievance in January, Human Services Commissioner Demetria Nelson recommended that a new improvement plan should be developed to address the ADA compliance issues.

Greenwich DPW said at the time it may take 12-24 months to execute a new plan.

Cowie and Gunzburg first appeared before the selectmen on Feb. 23 to discuss their appeal and to demand an expedited process. They said the project would have included much needed safety upgrades and modifications to the sidewalks, curb cuts and accessible parking stalls to bring them up to ADA code.

In the ensuing days, Cowie and Gunzburg met with DPW Deputy Commissioner Jim Michel, and all parties came to a resolution which was detailed on Wednesday by assistant town attorney Aamina Ahmad

"It's my understanding that DPW will complete an inventory of all non-compliance on Greenwich Avenue by April 30 of this year, and will develop some potential solutions," Ahmad said.

DPW and the First Selectman's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities will then create a mini user group to conduct field visits to the Avenue in late April or early May to review plans and make sure all items are addressed, Ahmad added.

Final design and cost estimates will be developed by DPW by the end of May. The department and First Selectman Fred Camillo will then request interim funding for the project from the Board of Estimate and Taxation and RTM.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, and assuming there's funding, DPW will use its best efforts to complete the project by June 30 of next year so it coincides with the repaving of Greenwich Avenue," Ahmad said.

Before the selectmen voted on the recommendation, Gunzburg spoke briefly.

He recounted how the town got into this position, and reflected on his experience in meetings for the original intersection improvement project that was halted by the RTM.

"For Municipal Improvement through multiple committee meetings, Stephanie Cowie and I participated and shared our understanding of federal ADA laws and our experience as people with disabilities. As we dug into these meetings, there were usual individuals who complained about the project," Gunzburg said.

Opponents of the project said the architecture of the downtown area would be adversely affected, that historic monuments would be infringed upon by the construction of bumpouts, green space would be taken away and valuable parking spaces would disappear.

"Sowing fear, uncertainty and doubt along with a great smattering of misinformation made the final project difficult to nail down," Gunzburg said. But the project was ultimately approved by planning & zoning and the RTM.

The same falsehoods resurfaced, Gunzburg said, when a motion to essentially halt the project was approved by the RTM on Dec. 12, 2022.

"It's unbearably disheartening to watch the RTM, our town government, deny the civil rights of a full class of federally protected people," Gunzburg said. "We will not stop fighting for ADA rights."

Camillo thanked Gunzburg and Cowie for their advocacy, and DPW for speeding up the process. He lamented the fact that Greenwich will now have to pay for any construction work, and said misinformation led to "a death by a thousand cuts."

"Now it's going to be on our dime. We will have to get approval from the BET, but I don't think we're going to have a choice. We're not going to be sitting in a situation again when the federal government comes in and we get fined or threatened to be fined," Camillo added. "So maybe the next time somebody stands up on the RTM and puts out something that's false and people pile on, maybe they'll think twice about it because now it's going to come out of their pocket — all of our pockets."

Cowie said she'll remain vocal going forward on ADA issues around town.

Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan said there should be continued public education on DPW's recommendation.

Camillo suggested posting information on the town's website so the public can stay informed on what the town's options are for ADA-compliance solutions on Greenwich Avenue.