WESTPORT, CT, November 5, 2026 – At the November 4 Board of Finance meeting, First Selectman Kevin Christie provided an update on anticipated capital appropriation requests for the remainder of FY2027. The update included Parker Harding Plaza, which remains a top priority for the Town, along with the need to maintain or increase downtown parking capacity.
The November 4 presentation materials and meeting recording are available at https://play.champds.com/westportct/event/1282. The Town also expects to present its updated 10-year capital forecast to the Board of Finance in December.
“I’m grateful to the many volunteers, Town staff and community members who have invested their time and expertise in downtown Westport over the years, including the Downtown Steering Committee which developed the 2015 Downtown Master Plan, the subsequent Downtown Plan Implementation Committee and those who contributed to earlier planning efforts. There’s a tremendous amount of valuable work that has been done and we are building on it,” said Christie.
With a preliminary $6.5 million estimate for a comprehensive reconstruction, the Town is evaluating limited interim maintenance and accessibility improvements versus a more comprehensive reconstruction. Key considerations include preserving or increasing downtown parking capacity, avoiding work that would later need to be replaced, and minimizing taxpayer costs, particularly given current borrowing rates.
“Our goal, through a coordinated, financially responsible approach, is to finally address downtown’s infrastructure and parking needs while advancing the community’s long-standing vision for the Saugatuck River,” Christie said.
Next steps include further evaluation of these options, anticipated pre-application discussions with Planning and Zoning, and subsequent public review by applicable Town boards and commissions.
The Town is reviewing how best to coordinate the next phase of downtown implementation, including the future role of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee (DPIC). The committee’s regularly scheduled November 12 meeting will be canceled while that work continues. The Town will provide an update before the next scheduled DPIC meeting.