Downtown Parking Lot Reconstruction Begins Next Week; Will Temporarily Close Parking Areas through June
Public Works Director Peter Ratkiewich announced today that the reconstruction of the Baldwin Parking Lot off Elm Street in Downtown will commence on or about April 25, weather permitting.
The initial phases of the construction will involve reclamation of the existing deteriorated asphalt surface and installation of new drainage pipes, along with re-grading of the lot to reduce frequent flooding. In addition, the project will include installation of new LED lighting, electric vehicle chargers, security cameras and blue-light emergency stations. Parking stalls will be realigned to conform to current P&Z regulations, which will improve circulation and maneuverability within the lot.
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker stated “This is the first of several large Downtown Westport lots to be reconstructed and reconfigured to improve the Downtown parking experience. In the years to come, we will also be re-inventing the Parker Harding Lot, the Taylor Lot, (near Jesup Green), and the Imperial Avenue Parking Lot, to have serviceable and convenient parking on both sides of the Post Road.”
Ratkiewich said while the project will likely continue through the month of June to reach completion, and lot closures will be necessary, the contractor will be closely coordinating with Town officials and the Westport Downtown Association to minimize disruptions and make portions of the lot available to the public as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation and patience.
John F. Weiss, 88, Died; Navy Veteran, Y’s Men Member, Community Band Clarinetist
John F. Weiss, a resident of Westport from 1979 to 2015 and a resident of Southport since 2015, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 19 at his Southport home. He was 88.
Born in Manhattan in 1934, he attended P.S. 6, founded in 1894 and regarded as one of the city’s top elementary schools. He graduated from the Horace Mann School in 1951 and earned a B.A. degree from Cornell University in 1955. Following college, he served as a communications officer in the United States Navy for several years stationed in the Pacific.
After his naval service, John joined Bache & Company where he was a floor broker and later a general partner. The firm, through a series of acquisitions, became Prudential Securities from which John retired as a senior vice president.
In retirement, John joined the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston where he served as membership chairman for several years as well as arranging the organization’s annual meeting and picnic. He pursued his interests in sailing, tennis, photography, travel, theater, current events and music. He played clarinet in the Westport Community Band for many years.
John was the husband of Sheila (Roazen) Weiss; father of Graham Weiss and John Weiss, Jr.; stepfather of James (Polly) Bienen and Jonathan (Tracy) Bienen; grandfather of Chantal (Jay) Crompton, Hunter Weiss, Cheyenne Weiss, Carl Jason Tondo, and Owen Bienen; great-grandfather of Lola and Millie Crompton, and brother of Georgia (Jack) Morris.
Contributions in memory of John F. Weiss may be made online to support Dr. Richard Frank’s pancreatic cancer research at:
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/giving/support-norwalk-hospital. Gifts also may be mailed to the Norwalk Hospital Foundation, 34 Maple Street, Norwalk, CT 06856
A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 25 at noon at Temple Israel, Westport, CT. Refreshments will be served following the memorial service.
Tenants Jump from Second Floor, 50 Pets Rescued during Overnight Fire in Westport’s Townhouse for Dogs and Cats
Westport Fire Department:
Westport Emergency Communications Center dispatched firefighters to a commercial fire alarm at a mixed occupancy building on Post Road East. The initial dispatch was Engine 2, Engine 5, Truck 1, and the Shift Commander. Westport Police officers arrived and reported visible fire coming from the building. Westport Emergency Communications Center dispatched Engine 4 and Engine 6 to the scene.
The fire department arrived and found heavy fire on the second floor of a mixed occupancy building. The building housed a dog and cat boarding facility on the first floor and basement as well as an apartment on the second floor. Fairfield and Norwalk Fire Department provided mutual aid at the scene of the fire.
Firefighters attacked the fire with two hose lines to extinguish the fire. Searches of the building determined that the occupants on the 2nd floor had escaped the fire.
Westport Firefighters and Westport Police Officers rescued and removed approximately 50 dogs and cats from the dog and cat boarding facility.
The three occupants of the second-floor apartment were awakened by smoke detectors. The occupant’s exit was blocked by fire. The occupants had to jump from a second-floor window to escape the fire. The occupants were treated and assessed on scene by Westport EMS. The occupants did not require transport to the hospital.
The fire is under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office. The Westport Fire Department would like to remind residents that working smoke detectors save lives. Please ensure that you have working smoke detectors in your house.
The Norwalk and Wilton Fire Departments provided station coverage during the incident.
Westport Fire Department contributed photos. Click to enlarge. Morning Weather Report
Today
Increasing clouds, with a high near 58. Light southeast wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning.
Tonight
Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 47. South wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind 5 to 7 mph.