P&Z Approves Bush Statue Located Close to Havemeyer Front Door

The Planning & Zoning commission on Tuesday approved a revised proposal from First Selectman Fred Camillo for a statue of George HW Bush.

The approval followed more than one iteration of the design and location.

The first was to locate the statue outside the historic former US post office in the small triangular park on Greenwich Avenue that features the World War I obelisk.

That proposal went before the Historic District Commission last February and included both a statue and an illuminated water fountain.

“Scott Frantz came up with the idea of a statue to George HW Bush,” Camillo told the HDC at that meeting, noting that the statue would be privately funded by a gif from Mr. Frantz.

“When you’re driving down there, especially at night, he’ll be lit up. What a beautiful spot, in the central part of Greenwich, in the middle of our business district, where people are going to dine, especially at night, lit up. It will be a draw and kind of liven up the Avenue a little bit.”

Camillo emphasized that President Bush spent the first 18 years of his life in Greenwich and had been the youngest fighter pilot in World War II, flying 58 combat missions. Later, Bush served as a UN Ambassador, US Vice President and ultimately 41st President of the United States.

That location was nixed by the HDC after feedback was that a statue and fountain might appear to be “squished” in next to the obelisk in the small park.

There were suggestions to locate the statue closer to the World War II monument outside the Havemeyer building.

Greenwich Avenue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Havemeyer building is part of the Greenwich Avenue Historic District.

Landscape architect John Conte, who has since passed away presenting the initial proposal, described the George HW Bush statute in Texas as “an inspirational piece.”

Then, in July, after site visits, the HDC voted unanimous in support of a revised location for a statue in front of the Havemeyer Building, near the cluster of World War II, Vietnam and Korea War Memorial Monuments, and close to the sidewalk and roadway.

It was proposed to be encircled by a pathway and seating wall, and feature a limestone backing plinth with an inscripted bronze plaque.

The HDC conditioned their approval, saying they’d like to review the final iteration of the statue and its materials.

The application arrived at P&Z in August, and the renderings at the time featured the statue of Bush and circular seating wall under a massive tree canopy.

Sadly, one of the two mature Norway Maple tree adjacent to the proposed location was cut down in August, and the tree warden, Dr. Greg Kramer, has said he anticipates having to cut down a second large Norway Maple that became a hazard after a storm in September.

Dr. Kramer said the recommended replacement trees were 3-inch caliper Willow Oaks that could grow up to two feet a year once established.

The October application to P&Z said the location of the illuminated statue was chosen to maintain unobstructed sight lines.

However, commissioners expressed concerns that the statue would no longer be grounded under a mature tree canopy.

P&Z Commissioner Mary Jenkins said at the October meeting, “It seems to me that with the loss of the trees, it begins to me to resemble Arlington Cemetery.”

Commissioners commented that the limestone slab behind the statue would limit its 360° visibility.

Also, at the October meeting, the application no longer included a rendering of the statue, but rather a silhouette.

Commissioner Nick Macri asked whether an artist had been commissioned. Camillo replied that an artist had yet to be commissioned.

Site Plan Approved by P&Z Dec 9, 2025

The site plan crossed the finish line Tuesday night, with the late John Conte’s son, John Conte III, Professional Civil Engineer, joining Mr. Camillo to explain changes since the October meeting.

“This is absolutely the best spot for it, but we amended it,” Camillo said, noting the rear plinth proposed for behind the statue had been removed from the proposal, along with the seating wall.

“We have reduced the amount of accoutrements to the statue, and as the renderings show, not block the view to the Board of Education, and allow that view corridor,” Conte said.

Mr. Conte added that the proposed lighting had been reduced to two uplights on each side of the statue.

Still, the commission resisted the location close to the sidewalk, roadway and historic intersection, starting with Mr. Yeskey, who asked, “The question is, is it really locked in? Are you open to suggestions?” 

Mr. Camillo said the location “screams out for this statue to be here.”

“Putting it in Bruce Park or Byram Park or town hall doesn’t make sense,” Camillo added, reminding the commission that HDC unanimously supported the location.

“I don’t want to delay this any more. We’re going to risk losing this. We have a donor. He’s been pretty clear that it can’t go on too much longer. He’s been very patient with this. We went over all the parks and this made the most sense out of all of them. We have looked.”

Mr. Macri suggested locating the statue closer to the Havemeyer building, in the planted area outside the front door.

“I thought to myself that would be a wonderful place because it  gives it a real sense of place in the park, centered on the door, on the building, in a feature that is actually already there, that is highly visible for anybody walking anywhere in and around the park,” Macri said.

“It provides a real vista up the sidewalk to the front door, to the statue. It’s still in the park – it’s still in the front yard, but it’s actually grounded more into the park, into the architecture, and into the hardscape, the sidewalk,” Macri said, adding that he wasn’t sure if there had previously been a tree there.

“I have no problem with that at all,” Camillo said

Mary Jenkins agreed closer to the building was a better location.

“People crossing Greenwich Ave at that point are basically going to be led up to the statue on that sidewalk. It’s actually going to have more prominence than it would if it were closer to the street.”

Also Jenkins said she remained concerned about placing the statue close to monuments to “memorials to the dead of war that already exist there.”

“I’m concerned we not dilute the intent of the existing statues and location,” she added.

Ms Alban said she had been asked whether the Board of Selectmen would be required to vote on the proposal, and there was a brief discussion about the Public Arts policy and committee, but P&Z director Pat LaRow said ultimately it was the purview of the First Selectman.

Since three Dogwood trees were proposed to be planted by the statue, chair Margarita Alban suggested the applicant work with the Tree Warden on what trees might be added in the new location.

Willow Oaks are still proposed to replace the Norway Maple cut in August and the second one that Kramer said needs to be removed.

Ms Alban reminded the applicant the HDC had conditioned their sign off on the final materials for the statue.

During public comment Tuesday night, David Wold noted there is a flag pole in front of the Havemeyer building and if the statue is to be illuminated, it might make sense to illuminate the flagpole at the same time.

It is unclear whether there are electric conduits at that location, though there is lighting (and conduits) by the cluster of monuments at the location close to sidewalk and Greenwich Ave.

The commission voted to approve the site plan.

Since the statue involves a private donation, the gift must be approved by the Representative Town Meeting.

See also:

Camillo Shares Proposal for Illuminated Bush Statue & Fountain with HDC: To “liven up the Avenue a little bit” Feb 13, 2025

Location of George HW Bush Statue in Front of Havemeyer Building Gains Support of Historic District Commission  July 11, 2025

No Notice to BOE before Mature Maple Removed from Havemeyer Property Aug 26, 2025

P&Z Watch: Havemeyer Might Resemble Cemetery with Addition of Bush Statue and Loss of Mature Trees Oct 31, 2025