Westport Weighs $6.5 Million Parker Harding Plaza Reconstruction, Interim Improvements

WESTPORT, CT — Westport officials are weighing options for improvements to Parker Harding Plaza, including a comprehensive reconstruction estimated at $6.5 million or more limited maintenance and accessibility upgrades.

First Selectman Kevin Christie outlined the options during Thursday night's Board of Finance meeting as part of an update on anticipated capital appropriation requests for the remainder of fiscal year 2027.

The town is evaluating whether to pursue interim improvements or a larger reconstruction project. Key considerations include maintaining or increasing downtown parking capacity, avoiding improvements that would need to be replaced during future construction and limiting costs to taxpayers amid current borrowing rates.

Parker Harding Plaza remains a priority for the town, along with preserving downtown parking capacity, Christie said.

Christie acknowledged the work of volunteers, town staff and residents involved in downtown planning, including the Downtown Steering Committee, which developed the 2015 Downtown Master Plan, and the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee (DPIC).

“There’s a tremendous amount of valuable work that has been done, and we are building on it,” Christie said.

The town's next steps include further evaluation of the improvement options, anticipated pre-application discussions with Planning and Zoning, and public review by the appropriate town boards and commissions.

“Our goal, through a coordinated, financially responsible approach, is to finally addresses downtown’s infrastructure and parking needs while advancing the community’s long-standing vision for the Saugatuck River,” Christie said.

Officials are also reviewing how to coordinate the next phase of downtown planning, including the future role of DPIC.

The committee's regularly scheduled Nov. 12 meeting will be canceled while that review continues. The town expects to provide an update before the committee's next scheduled meeting.

Westport also plans to present an updated 10-year capital forecast to the Board of Finance in December.

The presentation materials and meeting recording are available on the town's meeting website.