NEWS

Idea For New Y Location Offered

Friday, April 22, 2005 - Taking a page from real estate dogma, which states that location is everything, about 30 Westporters gathered Wednesday at Westport Town Hall to hear a new idea about where to put a future YMCA building.

Gavin Anderson, a Republican member of the Board of Finance, presented his concept and answered questions about locating a new police station next to the fire station on Post Road East and then building a new Y where the police station now stands. Richard Foot, the executive director and CEO of the Westport/Weston YMCA, appreciated Anderson's effort to resolve a thorny issue in the community, but after the meeting said: "The Y can't place its future on hypotheticals. We can't build on hypotheticals. So, we are moving forward. We are not being unreasonable. We are doing what is best for the community."

Not everyone at the meeting agreed with Anderson and the longtime Westporter said he didn't expect them to.

"There has been a great deal of comment, letters to the editor, and now a privately funded community survey seeking opinions concerning the YMCA's plan to move away from its long-time location on the corner of Main Street and the Post Road," he said.

"Even before this useful data was published, it was clear that the majority of correspondents were favoring means whereby the YMCA could be persuaded to remain in the downtown area."

Anderson received two rounds of applause toward the end of the meeting and some remained to talk to him about his concept. Yesterday morning he said he was surprised and pleased by the response.

Dialogue Sought

In his opening remarks, Anderson explained his objective is "to open up dialogue on another option available to the YMCA, even though the YMCA has already made significant financial and verbal commitments for moving to the Camp Mahackeno site." He also pointed out in a statement that the departure of the "YMCA from Westport's downtown location means a dramatic, irreversible change to the style and character of the one part of town that defines Westport more than any other "Before we let this pass, I hope reasonable people can come together to seek a solution that is for the best, and one that serves the future interests of all. Maybe it's not too late."

In a summary of his objective, Anderson stated his idea offers the YMCA the opportunity to use the area east of Jessup Green and the library up to Imperial Avenue, except for the 0.3 acres of land still privately owned in that parcel. He also acknowledged that his "ideas may not be new, but they fulfill a major objective identified in the Downtown Plan Study commissioned a few years ago." The Board of Finance member believes the move of the police station adjacent to the fire station [where a piano store now stands] could be purchased by the town with funds made available from the sale of properties at the eastern edge of Baron's South along Compo Road South.

He continued: "At the same time the river walkway would be extended all the way round behind the Levitt Pavilion, along Deadman's Brook as far as Imperial Avenue; as part of this extension, an additional footbridge would be built across the creek to allow those parking in the Imperial lot direct access to the YMCA. Eventually, this footpath should be extended along the riverbanks all the way to Dr. Teuscher Park and Grace Salmon Park."

During the course of the meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes, he touched upon the advantages of his plan.

Adequate Parking

"This locates the YMCA close to the Library, the Levitt Pavilion, Toquet Hall, Jesup Green, the Senior Center, Baron's South, and the river walks," his statement declared.

"It also maintains easy access to shopping areas and allows adequate parking. It moves a large number of regularly parked cars from north of the Post Road to the south, and changes significantly the demands for extra parking that has given rise to the proposal for two-tier parking on the Baldwin lot a concept unpopular to many."

Anderson agreed at one point with a questioner that the police station could eventually be relocated next to the fire station, even if a YMCA wasn't built near the present police station building.

"Financially, there is potential for significant operating cost savings for the town, by placing all emergency services in one location, and at one of the higher geographical points in town," he said.

"Combined dispatch, centralized communications and vehicle maintenance, a single tower, and easy departmental liaison, make for increased efficiencies and less expense."

Anderson was introduced by Debbie McGinley of Y Downtown. "Mr. Anderson has another idea worthy of consideration, "said McGinley, who explained that her group wants a Y in a centralized and accessible location.