Dear Editor,
It is exciting to know that there are thoughtful ideas and proposals circulating for the best use of the Havemeyer Building, a long neglected crown jewel of Greenwich Avenue.
This is also a perfect time and opportunity to consider how we can provide an improved facility for our seniors.
Currently the town’s senior center, now known as the Wallace Center, is housed on two of four floors of 299 Greenwich Avenue. The other floors are occupied by the Greenwich Arts Council and other nonprofits.
The Wallace Center, the town’s Senior Center, another long neglected town gem, is in dire need of renovation, plans for which are underway thanks to a significant bequest from Mary Louise Wallace, yet more funds are still needed. These renovations however won’t address the fact that the space (8,972 square feet) is simply not adequate. Perhaps one consideration could be to move the Arts Council and other 299 tenants to the Havemeyer Building, freeing up more space for the senior center?
While we as a community are looking at uses for the Havemeyer Building that conform with OUR values, let’s find a way to include providing adequate and appropriate space (and parking) for our seniors.
The time is now, let’s not kick yet another “can” down the road.
Adele Rota
