Westport Downtown Improvement Project Gets Green Light

The town of Westport is proceeding with plans to implement improvements to its downtown commercial district this spring, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe announced Thursday.

The infrastructure project will be funded by a grant of $497,595 from the state’s Main Street Investment Fund, which was awarded to the town in July.

New trees will be planted along Main Street and sidewalks will receive new curbing, tree grates and energy efficient lights designed to complement the historic character of downtown Westport. Main Street, Elm Street, the Post Road and Imperial Avenue will be included in the project, according to Marpe.

“This is an exciting moment for all who live, work, visit and shop in downtown Westport. It is the beginning of a concerted effort to enhance Westport's streetscapes, parks, and public areas,” said Selectman Avi Kaner.

Kaner will lead the coordination among town bodies, committees, and the Westport Downtown Merchants Association (WDMA). Westport’s Public Works Department will begin the infrastructure project in the early months of 2014 and are expected to be ‘substantially completed’ by late spring, said Marpe.

Selectman Kaner, Public Works Director Steve Edwards, Westport Tree Warden Bruce Lindsay and Dewey J. Loselle, representing the Downtown Steering Committee, met recently with WDMA Board Members to review the preliminary improvement plans.

“The WDMA is fully in support of the town’s improvement plans for downtown and excited to see this positive development come to fruition,” said Steve Desloge, President of the WDMA’s Board of Directors.