By James Lomuscio
At a time when sidewalks are making a comeback and there’s been a lot of talk about the need to make Westport more pedestrian friendly, Matthew Mandell’s latest brainchild seems like, well, a no brainer -– a walking map of the downtown and Saugatuck.
Matthew Mandell shows off the new Westport walking map. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Mandell, executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce (WWCC) and creator of the Slice of Saugatuck, the Dog Festival and Tuesdays at the Train, is now focusing on foot traffic.
“About a year ago I was at a conference, and I saw that SoNo had done this, so I thought I would put this on my shoulders,” he said, adding that local businesses were very receptive.
To that end he has had 6,500 of the color, foldout maps printed in the first run, 3,500 of them glued into the WWCC’s 64-page, 20018-19 visitors guide.
The color-coded, two-sided map, one for downtown, the flip side for Saugatuck, was a joint effort of myriad local businesses and companies. It was designed by Westporter Alli DiVincenzo, owner of Alli Q Designs and a WWCC member.
The downtown side features 171 destinations from Wilton Road and Riverside Avenue to the Westport Playhouse. It was funded by the Westport Downtown Merchants Association (WDMA), David Adam Realty and the newly opened Rye Ridge Delicatessen, 159 Main St., site of the old Oscar’s Deli.
“There is history on every block in the charming and picturesque downtown area of Westport,” the map says. “Once an agricultural hub and busy shipping port, downtown Westport has evolved to a vibrant shopping and dining destination for visitors from all around Connecticut, New York and beyond.”
The Saugatuck map features 63 spots from Railroad Place to the V-shaped intersection of Riverside and Saugatuck avenues. The Dock Shop, the Saugatuck Rowing & Fitness Club were primary sponsors, as well as the areas’ myriad businesses, Mandell said.
“Today Saugatuck is a unique and thriving walkable area with many ‘Mom & Pop’ shops and one of the hottest restaurant scenes in Fairfield County,” it reads. “Enjoy your time walking the historic Saugatuck neighborhood.”
