Open letter to Members of the Arch Street Task Force from the Greenwich Sustainability Committee
On behalf of the Greenwich Sustainability Committee (the “Committee,” “we,” and “our”), we appreciate the opportunity to provide input to the Arch Street Task Force (the “Task Force” and “you”) on the future use of the 100 Arch Street building (the “Facility”). The Committee believes it is both appropriate and important for the Task Force to consider sustainability principles as part of its deliberations, given the long-term implications this project will have for the town and its residents.
Below is a list of the Committee’s recommendations in this regard.
I. Conduct a Community Survey
The Committee respectfully recommends that the Task Force seek community input through a town-wide survey. The Facility occupies a unique position in our town, as a waterfront property with significant public value and a long history of serving community needs. Any decision about its future should be informed by robust public input. A structured survey would elicit valuable data on community priorities, preferences, and concerns, helping to ensure that any proposed use of the Facility reflects the needs and values of Greenwich residents. This approach would also support transparent, inclusive decision making, and strengthen public trust in the process.
II. Hold Public Hearings
The Committee believes that, in addition to a survey, a public hearing is an essential component of evaluating the future of the Facility. We were encouraged to learn that Task Force member Steve Waters has already suggested holding two public hearings (i.e., one for early brainstorming, and a second for input after responses to the Request for Proposal are received). We wholeheartedly support this approach. A public forum would allow local organizations and other stakeholders (in addition to residents) to engage directly with the Task Force, share perspectives, and contribute meaningfully to the discussion.
III. Align with the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD)
The Committee’s efforts are guided by the goals identified in the 2019 Plan of Conservation and Development (“POCD”), and we encourage the Task Force to be guided by them as well. The POCD provides an established framework for aligning land use decisions with the town’s long-term goals. It represents our community’s shared vision for growth, development, and resource management, developed through extensive public input and adopted by the Representative Town Meeting. As noted in the POCD, zoning regulations and major planning decisions must align with this comprehensive plan. Therefore, ensuring consistency with the POCD will help ground the Task Force’s recommendations in town policy.
IV. Integrate Environmental Sustainability
The Committee recommends that any proposal for the Facility demonstrate how its design and intended use will support climate resilience, energy efficiency, low-impact development, and the responsible use of land in a developed downtown setting. As a waterfront property in a coastal community increasingly affected by rising sea levels and intensifying storm events, the Facility presents opportunity to incorporate sustainable design from the outset. Thoughtful site planning can reduce the stormwater runoff burden on Greenwich’s municipal infrastructure, mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effects, promote walkability and access to public transportation, and lower long-term operating and maintenance costs. These outcomes benefit not only future patrons of the Facility, but the surrounding neighborhood and the town as a whole. They further position the project to meet evolving state and federal energy and resilience standards without costly future retrofits.
V. Preserve the “Third Space” Function
The Facility has historically functioned as a “third space” (i.e., a place outside of home and work where community members can gather). Research demonstrates that third spaces play a critical role in community well-being, in that they foster social cohesion, civic engagement, and mental health.
The decline of third spaces nationally has been linked to increased social isolation, reduced civic participation, and diminished community cohesion. Greenwich has an opportunity to counter this trend by intentionally preserving and enhancing this location as a place where connections can flourish. Adaptive reuse of the Facility as a shared community space would also offer opportunities to advance economic sustainability through thoughtful, inclusive programming.
The future of the Facility represents a significant opportunity for Greenwich. By soliciting broad community input through surveys and public hearings, grounding your recommendations in the POCD, prioritizing environmental sustainability, and preserving the Facility’s essential role as a community gathering place, the Task Force can ensure that this waterfront property continues to serve as a vital asset for generations to come. Such an approach would advance the interconnected goals of environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social cohesion – the three pillars of sustainability that should guide this important project.
The Committee appreciates your consideration of the perspectives set forth above, and welcomes continued dialogue as the Task Force’s work progresses. We stand ready to provide further input or collaboration as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Respectfully,
The Greenwich Sustainability Committee
CC: First Selectman Fred Camillo
Town Administrator Kate Buch
Greenwich Planning and Zoning Commission
Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation