Sunday, October 18, 2026

Downtown Improvement Proposal Calls for First-Time Parking Meters

The Westport Board of Finance tonight gave a generally positive initial response to a proposal to improve Westport’s downtown by the Downtown Merchants Association. The plan, explained by association vice president David Waldman, envisions a public-private partnership that would include construction of a combined retail-residential building and parking deck off of Elm Street. Its $14.5 million cost would be advanced by the town and be repaid partially with revenues from parking meters the first to be installed in Westport’s center. Board member Gavin Anderson (l) warned that the town would be “crossing a bridge” by installing parking meters and said they would change the character of downtown Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

5 thoughts on “Downtown Improvement Proposal Calls for First-Time Parking Meters”

Norelle c. says:
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 2:24 am
Please carefully consider the changes you are proposing. These same actions have made many “downtown/centertowns” virtually disappear and forever change their character ,and certainly not for the better.
If you have never experienced this phenomenon, you must be very young and inexperienced.
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Pinya Klotz says:
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 4:23 am
The last time the Town made a deal with the Downtown merchants they reneged on paying their share. The Elm street parking lot was supposed to be benefit assessed but after construction, the Downtown merchants found some weasel words in the P&Z approval to avoid paying their share.
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Anonymous says:
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 6:13 am
as if downtown Westport doesn’t suck enough already.. way to go.. make sure you just keep destroying the town please!
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Jodi Danforth says:
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 3:28 am
I cannot see meters in the downtown area. Please reconsider…It will change things. Look at downtown Fairfield…peaople are pissed…It started there with the new shops (the Fairfield Store) and free parking. Now, just 2 hour parking. Even for people who work in that area. Can you imagine moving your car every 2 hours, whilest working??? CRAZY! Westport should reconsider…
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S. Hanley says:
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 6:08 am
I understand space is at a premium but meters are not the answer. Nothing says “city” more than meters so you can no longer consider Westport a “town” if you put them in.
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