By James Lomuscio
For Sam Gault, today’s event was more than just the ribbon-cutting for the long-awaited Saugatuck Center. It signaled the rebirth of a Westport neighborhood.
Taking part in today’s Saugatuck Center ribbon-cutting were (l-r) Sam Gault, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, and Jim Donaher. CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Saugatuck Center is his company’s two-building, retail, residential and office development situated on one-acre on Riverside Avenue overlooking the Saugatuck River.
“What it means for Saugatuck is that we’re bringing the neighborhood back, a neighborhood that hasn’t been here since the turnpike came through,” said Gault, president of LH Gault & Son, Inc., a hometown company started in 1863.
“For Saugatuck we’re creating much more of a village type feel here, and for all of Westport, we’re welcoming them back to Saugatuck to use the boardwalk and to use the shops down here.”
Today Gault was all smiles as he and his brother-in-law Jim Donaher, a principal of Hamilton Development, the Gault company’s real estate arm, joined First Selectman Gordon Joseloff for the official opening of Saugatuck Center. 
The view from the porch of a $3,000 a month unit, one of six in the new Saugatuck Center development. All have been rented. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“The ribbon cutting is extremely exciting for us as a family because we finally got to complete the first phase,” Gault said about the two 10,000-square-foot buildings, each with underground parking and three upper floor apartments from 1,200 to 1,900-square-feet.
All of the luxury apartments have been rented, said Donaher. With the exception of one affordable housing unit costing $1,100 per month, rents range from $3,500 for a one-bedroom unit to $5,000 per month for a two-bedroom overlooking on the water.
The complex’s 500 feet of riverfront has space for 20 docks, 17 of which will go to tenants and three for boating visitors to the area. There is also a boardwalk open to the public.
Corporate offices include a trading group have already signed leases, said Donaher, and retail includes the kayak sales and rental business Down Under and a butcher selling organic meat.
Donaher said that Phase II involves the construction two buildings totaling 21 rental units on 1.6 acres across the street now occupied in front by Doc’s Cafe.
The kitchen of one of the new units, one of which is rented as affordable at $1,100 a month. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
And on a 1.4-acre hillside behind that development, Gault plans Saugatuck Mill, a community of 27 condominiums.
Joseloff has been a long time supporter of the project which he said will revitalize Saugatuck.
“It will jump start Saugatuck and set the pace for moving ahead in improving Westport’s downtown,” he said. “To paraphrase the song, this is the start of something big.”
Gault agreed, adding: “This is a smart growth project.”
