On Thursday, Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo announced that he had appointed the members of the new Arch Street Task Force to look at potential future uses for the Town-owned building at 100 Arch Street, formerly home to the Arch Street Teen Center.
The task force will put together a request for proposal from interested bidders.
“I am pleased to announce the official formation of the Arch Street Task Force,” First Selectman Camillo said in the announcement.
On Thursday, his announcement said the nine people he selected for the Arch Street Task Force each represented a stakeholder group or segment of the Greenwich population.
“We have had great success with these kinds of task forces, as has recently been seen with the tremendous work the Hamill Rink Task Force did as well as two Havemeyer Building Task Forces and the Greenwich Plaza Task Force. Now this Arch Street Task Force will set to work for us to get the best use of this beautiful and valuable building right on the Greenwich waterfront overlooking Greenwich Harbor,” he continued.
On Tuesday, during his FY 27 capital budget presentation to the BET budget committee, Camillo proposed $10 million for design and construction at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park on Greenwich Harbor, including relocation of the Parks & Trees buildings and creating a new park gateway, green spaces and walking paths.
The Arch Street Task Force members include:
- L. Scott Frantz, founder of the Arch Street Teen Center who is a former State Senator and a lifelong volunteer who has spent many decades working on behalf of the people of Greenwich.
- Icy Frantz, who along with Scott has dedicated decades to making sure that our Teen Center was the longest running one in the nation and that it was instrumental in the lives of thousands of young people over the years. Icy has also dedicated her spare time to several organizations, much too many to name here, and most recently was a member of Greenwich’s Representative Town Meeting.
- Sue Bodson, who will be the Task Force’s liaison from the Greenwich Board of Parks and Recreation. Sue has been involved with many fundraising endeavors here in Town that have enriched the lives of many, including the development and construction of the municipal pool in Byram.
- Sabine Schoenberg, who will be the Task Force’s liaison from the Greenwich Energy Management Advisory Committee (EMAC). Sabine also brings private sector experience with regard to energy efficient buildings, which is something we have focused on and are excited to have as a part of every new Town building renovation project.
- Mickey Lowitt, a long-time resident and attorney who is quite familiar with the building at 100 Arch Street and who we will look for to play a big part in guiding the Task Force in all legal questions.
- Steve Waters, a member of the RTM from the Public Works Committee. He has been instrumental in looking into funding projects in a more timely fashion and has worked with many public organizations in addition to his vast private sector expertise.
- Katherine LoBalbo, who is the moderator pro tempore of the RTN as well as a member of the body’s Parks and Recreation Committee. Katherine is a practicing architect who is also very familiar with Town regulations and the organizational needs of the many entities that work with the Town.
- Luis Velasquez, who will be the liaison from the Town’s ADA and Advisory Advocacy Committee for People with Disabilities and is eager to make sure this exciting project is both ADA compliant and inclusive.
- Stacey Sears Higdon, who will be the liaison with the Junior League of Greenwich. Stacey is familiar with the building and the projects that the JLG has been involved with, including the Greenwich Skate Park, which is located right next door to 100 Arch Street.
Camillo described the task force membership as well-rounded and well-represented and said they will soon elect officers and hold public meetings as they begin their work to find a new life and use for the building.