In a 2011 planning document, a Westport committee acknowledged a recent bout of “Fairfield envy” suffered by some residents, as trendy restaurants and retail shops descended on the town of Fairfield”™s Southport share of Post Road.
After getting one of those restaurateurs to migrate to Westport”™s Church Lane, David Waldman, president of David Adam Realty, and company are ready to deliver on a grander vision for downtown ”“ even as town officials do the same.
If Bedford Square Associates gets its way, Church Lane in downtown Westport will be transformed into an enviable, pedestrian-friendly stretch of brick buildings with a mix of residences, retail shops and commercial offices. Designed by renowned Centerbrook Architects, the development would draw its architectural influence from the Bedford House Tudor mansion.
Westport”™s historic district commission and architectural review board were scheduled after press deadline to issue their recommendation on the Bedford Square proposal to the town”™s planning and zoning commission.
As such, Westport is getting a rare opportunity to remake three full blocks of its downtown ”“ and the process has proven divisive. The town shot down Bedford Square Associates”™ initial request to rezone Church Lane to accommodate more residences, and the developer is now proposing to build just 30 residences, but including a full 60,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.
Bedford Square Associates partners include Waldman; Paul Brandes and Daniel Zelson, co-founders of Charter Realty Development Co.; and B. Lance Sauerteig, president of BLS Strategic Capital. All have offices in Westport.
Even as Bedford Square Associates pushes ahead with its sweeping vision, a Downtown 2020 committee continues to vet consultants to deliver an as-yet unknown vision of their own ”“ but one with the similar goal of drawing more foot traffic to downtown, and so, vitality.
Last year, the town took a major step in that direction, adjusting its ordinance to allow more outdoor seating at eateries ”“ and just as critical for the hospitality sector, more liquor permits.
That has paved the way for new establishments in closer proximity, most recently to include the new Spotted Horse Tavern on Church Lane, across narrow Church Lane from the Westport Weston Family Y. The restaurant was launched by Tommy Febbraio, Kevin McHugh and Peter Mennona.
Westport residents have long lamented the overall direction of downtown, which despite boasting a wide range of independent businesses also has no shortage of chains that some believe rob downtown of its distinctive character.
Ironically, in a recent interview with the Westport News, Febbraio cited the establishment next door of an Urban Outfitters store for helping bring more diners to the Spotted Horse Tavern.
Waldman would deliver more yet, though with plenty of demolition and construction in the interim.
“We can”™t turn back the clock on downtown or Main Street,” a planning committee wrote in a 2011 document. “The Remarkable Book Store, the Fine Arts movie theaters, the former moms-and-pops aren”™t coming back. Many of us now have ”˜Fairfield envy,”™ noting how our neighbor”™s downtown has flourished, in striking contrast to Westport”™s trend.”
