Niemynski: Camillo’s Head Fake – Greenwich Avenue Bump Outs Getting Installed Despite The RTM’s No Vote

Submitted by Rich Niemynski

Greenwich Avenue currently features handicap ramps and curb cutouts that have been deemed legally adequate, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) rules.

There is no legal obligation for the Town to proactively change the Avenue just because newer regulations may have been implemented after the time when the handicap ramps and curb cutouts were first installed.

The Greenwich Representative Town Meeting (“RTM”) voted against bumping out intersections on Greenwich Avenue at Havemeyer and Grigg Street two years ago.

The Board of Estimate and Taxation (“BET”), currently chaired by a Republican, voted to delay funding for bump outs after the Town Attorney was requested to confirm whether the ADA Safe Harbor clause means there is no issue with ADA compliance and further clarify that if another project were to take place on the Avenue, then that project would need to meet any new ADA regulations that may be in effect at the time construction starts.

Just to reiterate, there may not be an obligation for the Town to make any revisions to handicap ramps and curb cutouts just because today’s standards have changed.

But the fact of the matter is bump outs are being readied and installed at all of the intersections on Greenwich Avenue anyway—despite the no vote, without prior funding appropriations, and even though these intersections are already ADA compliant.

Why did First Selectman Fred Camillo unilaterally decide to move forward on the bump out project? Why did he ignore the fact that the RTM already rejected bump outs? Why did he ignore the proper inputs, dodge oversights and circumvent the approvals to undertake this project?

As a reminder, here are the issues encountered with bumping out the intersection at Elm Street:

1. Reduced Parking: The number of parking spaces has been reduced by approximately 4-6 spaces just for the Elm Street bump out.
2. Safety Issues: Due to the elevation difference between the bump outs and the roadway, combined with the height the planters and the tall plants inside the planters, it’s nearly impossible for drivers coming down the Avenue to see whether people are crossing Elm Street. The line of sight is effectively blocked unless you are driving an especially high vehicle.
3. Smaller Turning Radius: The smaller turning radius forces drivers to swing wide into adjacent lanes to navigate turns, increasing the risk of collisions not just with cars but with pedestrians!
4. Reduced Emergency Response Time: Emergency vehicles, especially fire trucks, have difficulty navigating the tight turn around the bump outs, and have even become stuck in the intersection, backing traffic up the Avenue while trying to navigate the tricky turn.
5. New Flooding & Drainage Issues: Planters in the bump out act as “dams” blocking the flow of water during rainstorms, creating serious flooding issues for businesses located at that intersection.
6. Narrowed Crossing: When slower pedestrians are waiting to cross (e.g., handicapped individuals, senior citizens, small children), faster pedestrians get frustrated and walk out into the flow of traffic to pass them because they can’t fit through the narrowed crossing.
7. Confusion Over Handicap Parking: People think all of the “end spots” next to the bump outs are handicap accessible thanks to all the extra space between the end spot and the planter. I watched a number of people in wheelchairs exit their vehicles in that end spot (in front of Baccarat) and they were forced to enter the lane of traffic in order to use the ramp to reach the sidewalk.
8. Tripping Issues: The parking spaces adjacent to the flower beds are a hazard, especially for seniors and individuals walking with canes who have been seen repeatedly tripping and falling into the planters due to the lack of room to maneuver.

No wonder the RTM rejected bumping out the intersections. The bump outs are creating a nightmare for the Avenue. And now that Freddie is planning to install bump outs at eight intersections, taxpayers should expect approximately 32 fewer parking spots on the Avenue.

Better buckle up, because the competition to find key parking spots will intensify on the Avenue!

In case you missed it, traffic on the Avenue for the July Sidewalk Sale was insane—distracted pedestrians were walking in every direction without a care for traffic. It was utter chaos until a thoughtful Greenwich Police officer started to direct traffic in the Elm Street intersection.

Fortunately, the chaos was quickly brought to order.

But unfortunately it only lasted for a hot second… because another officer who spotted the one directing traffic rode into the intersection on a bicycle, and told the officer to stop directing traffic.

The chaos immediately resumed, with pedestrians jumping out of the way of oncoming cars that couldn’t see them from behind the bump outs.

If Freddie plans on putting bump outs the whole way down Greenwich Avenue, he should also put Greenwich Police back on the Avenue.

–Otherwise, this is a recipe for disaster and the set-up for lawsuits.

Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any concerns or if you want to share your experience trying to navigate the bump outs.

Let’s make Greenwich Avenue safe again!