Greenwich’s Planning & Zoning commission on Tuesday approved a second extension to the Boys & Girls Club’s lease on the building known as the “temporary fire station” at 1 Horseneck Lane.
But not before P&Z chair Margarita Alban warned the commission might get a bit “grumpy about the building.”
Over the years Alban has explained to applicants seeking temporary use of the building that not only was it intended to be temporary, but that it is unattractive, likening it to a Quonset hut in the gateway to Greenwich.
As part of the 2011 original approval, the temporary structure was to be removed within 6 months of the completion of the Central Fire Station.
The Fire Dept used the building for several years. It wasn’t until December 2016 that Greenwich’s fire administration relocated from the temporary headquarters to the newly built central fire house at 15 Havemeyer Place.
In 2017, the Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF) received approval from the Planning & Zoning commission to house the festival staff on a temporary basis in the building. They stayed until 2019.
In 2020, the Byram Fire Dept were approved to use the building while renovations were done on their Delavan Ave building.
In 2021 the building was used by Neighbor to Neighbor when their new food pantry building construction by Christ Church took longer than expected.
Then, when Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo had was prioritizing the redevelopment of Roger Sherman Baldwin Park to make it both more accessible and take advantage of water views, Buildings Superintendent Al Monelli proposed relocating Town operations – Small Engine Shop (apparatus garage) and the Marine Warehouse (dormitory building) – to the temporary fire station building.
At the time, the building was being used by the Byram Volunteer Fire Dept while their station on Delavan Ave was reconstructed.
Ms Alban pointed out that were the building to become a permanent facility for town operations, it would have to comply with all zoning regulations.
“We’ve been asking you for 10 years to get rid of it,” Alban said to Mr. Monelli at the time. (Mr. Monelli has since retired).
In the end, the plans for Roger Sherman Baldwin Park were not pursued.
The Boys & Girls Club has leased the building for about 18 months during their renovation and expansion at 4 Horseneck Lane, using the building for staff office space and storage.
The first 4-month renewal was granted on to extend the lease through January 31, 2025.
This second extension request is to run until May 31, 2025.
Town Administrator Kathleen Clarke Buch said the capital improvement plan that will go before the BET and the RTM does include funds to demolish the building, though it would not come down until July.
Cristina Vittoria, Chief Executive officer Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, said the club planned to be out by May 31, 2025. Nevertheless, she said if the work is not completed by then, club staff could potentially work remotely.
Dimitri Seferitis, project manager from A.P. Construction, said there were two timelines – one for the existing building and one for the new addition, which he said might not be completed by May.
“The section of the building where the administrative offices are located would be complete by middle of May – that’s what our schedule projects,” he said. “We would be able to move a lot of the belongings that existing in that facility into the completed areas of our space – just not personnel. They would work from home.”
Ms Alban said the commission wanted to be supportive of the Club’s needs and highly valued the services they provide to the town.
The commission voted unanimously to extend the lease four additional months at 1 Horseneck Lane.
See also:
P&Z Watch: Boys & Girls Club Expansion and Renovation Plans Begin to Take Shape
P&Z Watch: Temporary Fire Station is a “Quonset Hut” in the Gateway to Greenwich
