Proposal To Close Parker Harding Plaza Access Road Postponed: Tooker

WESTPORT, CT — A controversial plan to close the Parker Harding Plaza access road in downtown Westport has been shelved for the time being, while officials look for alternatives, First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced Friday, as officials look for alternatives.

As a result, "discussion and reviews scheduled for Town Boards, Committees and Commissions in the upcoming weeks regarding the current proposal for the reconfiguration of the Parker Harding Plaza Parking Lot will be postponed."

The decision to postpone was in coordination with the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee.

"The process for this project has been public since its inception," Tooker said in a statement. "However, recent feedback on the current upgrade and design option for Parker Harding Plaza has demonstrated that proposing another design option for the town-owned parking lot is supported and warrants further consideration."

A petition had been launched in opposition to the proposal.

Tooker added, "Therefore, the DPIC and the consultants will propose a second option for the upgrade that incorporates and considers additional community comments. There will be a third evening public charrette scheduled in the near future to view and discuss the options. Continued public participation is encouraged during each of the public meetings where any proposal will be presented."

The access road is one-way, and closing it would have stopped traffic flow from a portion of Main Street to the Post Road.

"After several years of monthly public meetings and thorough documentation on the DPIC website, multiple online surveys, and two public charettes, the DPIC continues to maintain an open dialogue and take into account feedback on the multi-year, multi-project Downtown Plan," said DPIC Chair Randy Herbertson. "It is the desire and intention of DPIC to have the support of and prioritize input from downtown businesses, merchants, and residents, as well as the entire Westport community. The Downtown Master Plan is a strategy for addressing the many issues residents and experts have identified as needing to be improved while maintaining and enhancing Westport's unique and beautiful waterfront. Upgraded infrastructure projects such as this will ultimately prove beneficial for all."

The petition called on the DPIC "to propose a viable alternative that does not impose further burdens on the residents of Westport," downtown business owners, visitors and others.

"Any proposal that addresses pedestrian and vehicular safety, provides resiliency for the future, and upgrades infrastructure to Town property is the ultimate goal for any town-sponsored project of this magnitude," Tooker said. "I am confident that going forward, any proposed reconfiguration will prove to be in keeping with the spirit and mission of the Town and the DPIC as we strive to make Westport a premiere destination for residents, businesses and visitors."