By Fred Camillo
With Election Day less than 96 hours away, people are understandably worried and fearful due to the constant barrage of news media and social media posts all predicting ominous happenings should the election go one way or another. History shows us that things tend to work themselves out, even if the outcome is not what we wanted nor expected. Nevertheless, I can report with full confidence that, locally, the state of the Town is bright and looking brighter by the day. Progress and achievement are attained when egos and personal agendas are checked at the door and the greater good is sought. Here in Greenwich, we are living that model.
PROTECTING BRUCE PARK
The recent affirmative vote by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) to protect one of Greenwich’s jewels, Bruce Park, is just one of several recent developments that will enhance our town now and for future generations to enjoy.
The effort to protect this beautiful park in Central Greenwich developed a few years ago when concerned residents of Bruce Park and Mead’s Point visited me at Town Hall. They made a great case to protect the Mosquito Barn that is located in the park. I agreed and suggested they go one step further and seek to protect the whole park with an historic venue designation. What followed was a total team effort that included Stephen Bishop and Andrew Melillo of the Historic District Commission, the neighbors, and finally, the RTM.
GREENWICH CROSSING
Last week, we broke ground on Greenwich Crossing, a project that will transform Railroad Avenue and connect it to our vibrant Greenwich Avenue. Modern, light, and beautiful buildings with outdoor dining options will be just part of this renaissance of that transportation hub area. Governor Lamont attending the ground-breaking ceremony and said he was happy with what Greenwich is doing on the Avenue and with this project .
VETERANS PARK PLAZA
A few blocks up the Avenue, we will begin the rededication of Veterans Plaza Park, first dedicated in 1927. What is more, we will propose to light up the flagpole, obelisk, take the old drinking water fountain that is not in use and repurpose it to a beautiful water fountain with a light feature, and finally, we will present to the Town a gift in the form of a lifelike statue of Greenwich’s own and America’s 41st President, George H.W. Bush. President Bush spent his first 18 years here in town before enlisting in the military at age 18 and became the youngest fighter pilot in World War II, flying 58 combat missions, and was shot down on one of those missions. He then went on to serve our nation in some of the most important and impactful roles before ascending to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
HAVEMEYER BUILDING
Across the street from Veterans Plaza Park is the Havemeyer Building, current home of the Board of Education ( BOE). The 1892 Richardson Romanesque building, which sits on 2.7 acres in the middle of our main business district, has an estimated value of between $74 and $100 million. It has over 53,000 square feet, less than 20,000 of which is used by the BOE. Moreover, the building has deteriorating infrastructure and outdated/inefficient electrical–not optimal for use by the BOE administration. Right now it is not even close to the highest and best use of the space. It could be so much more, and to that end, endless possibilities await the future of this beautiful property.
We have had two task forces in the past two years look closely at what is needed, what is possible, and what alternatives could be. To that end, the most recent task force, which dealt with getting an Request For Proposal (RFP) out to interested parties, offers the latest, most far reaching, and best opportunity yet to engage in a public-private partnership to return a once beautiful asset to the people, and to help transform this area of Greenwich Avenue. This is truly the art of the possible.
TREES
This week, we will meet to begin planting hundreds of trees along the Post Road, an effort that began four years ago and entailed state permits and approvals. The endeavor promises to make the Boston Post Road a beautiful tree lined boulevard going right through our town, providing both an aesthetically pleasing welcome to all who visit Greenwich and the many, many environmental benefits trees offer.
BYRAM RIVER GREENWAY
Last week, the Board of Selectmen endorsed the Byram River Greenway, a Greenwich Land Trust accomplishment that will connect already acquired green spaces in the northwest section of town. This acquisition comes on the heels of the Aquarion Water land purchase a few years ago, which was another public-private partnership.
EASTERN GREENWICH CIVIC CENTER
In just a few weeks, we will be cutting the ribbon on the long awaited Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. This unveiling will showcase a beautiful new civic center that was talked about as far back as the 1980s.
A NEW RINK
A brand new, and much needed, Dorothy Hamill Rink and showcase baseball field has been planned, presented to Planning & Zoning, and private donors sought and found, with just an approval needed from Zoning to proceed. The rink, first opened in 1972, is well below the area standards and almost at the end of its useful life. Strazza Field, named after our beloved Sal Strazza, would have features such as a home run fence, scoreboard, and dugouts, making it the first designed field done the right way from the beginning, and only the second such field in town to have them.
So, when the doomsday scenarios, negative campaigning, and position distorting ads clutter your mind in the next several days, remember that you live in a Town that is firing on all cylinders and continuing to marry our wonderful past with a bright, bold future.
This progress, and these accomplishments are courtesy of you, the Greenwich resident, volunteer, employee, and public servant.
Let us endeavor to remember these and other wonderful attributes and be grateful to God that we live in a town that most other municipalities in the world aspire to become.
Fred Camillo is a former State Representative and the current First Selectman of Greenwich. His opinions are his own.
