Permanent Downtown
Shared Street
As witnessed in many similar communities across the US, a full closure of certain downtown streets can benefit both merchants and consumers. In the times we are emerging from today, the interest and importance of spacious outdoor spaces are even more sought after. After our successful intermittent closures of lower Church Lane, the utilization and use case for this in Westport is testified. Keeping mindful of parking and traffic flow requirements several opportunities are before us to consider, recognizing not all could be done together:
Lower Church Lane
Already a proven model, and relatively straightforward and facile from a closure standpoint. The only downside is the relatively few merchants it would benefit directly, albeit a number of restaurants currently in place.
Lower Main Street
A larger space with more merchant and new merchant/restaurant opportunities. Preliminary traffic flow impact may be acceptable, with accommodation for morning delivery access etc.
With a wider breadth than Church Lane, there is also greater opportunity for streetscaping, art, planting, and kiosk vending etc.
Current event programming that utilizes street closures would be facilitated
Taylor Place
As an adjoining or separate opportunity to Lower Main Street, this very short street actually has a negative impact on traffic flow on the Post Road.
Street closure could accommodate the utilization for seasonal programming or an outdoor restaurant
Adjacency to a re-imagined Jesup area could also be advantageous