Greenwich Residents Urged to Appeal to State Officials on Proposed Historic Demolitions

A proposal to demolish three adjacent historic buildings including 2 Greenwich Avenue, a Tudor-Revival style building that dates back to 1894 at the intersection of Putnam Ave, is a discussion item at the top of the July 21 Planning & Zoning agenda.

Last week the Historic District Commission held a public hearing on the proposed demolition, though there was no discussion about the actual proposal to replace 2 Greenwich Ave, along with 10 Greenwich Ave (home to Taqueria) and 10-12 West Putnam Ave.

The HDC has no power to protect the buildings and can only issue a 90 day “stay” of demolition.

The proposal is to consolidate the three contiguous parcels to construct a new mixed-use building with ground-floor and below-grade retail and 14 apartments. The corner would feature a facade in the same vein of the original Tudor Revival style building2, to include 14 apartments and commercial space on the ground floor.

The applicants are Greenwich Avenue Properties LLC and MBMB Greenwich LLC.

While the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, it does not have a Historic Overlay to protect it, and is not not a locally designated historic property.

In their application narrative, the applicants said it is necessary to rebuild rather than restore 2 Greenwich Ave after decades of structural compromise.

“Multiple renovations and alterations over more than a century have left the underlying structure in a condition that renders conventional rehabilitation impractical and inadequate for longterm durability.”

“At its heart, 2 Greenwich Avenue will be faithfully reconstructed to celebrate and perpetuate its historic Tudor character….This is not a story of demolition. It is a story of stewardship. ” – Applicant narrative

All the members of the public who spoke at the HDC meeting were passionate that 2 Greenwich Ave building not be demolished.

During public comment, P&Z commission Chair Margarita Alban Zoomed in to clarify that the P&Z commission does not review demolitions applications and cannot deny them.

However, she said a private entity can enlist the SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) and propose an intervention under the CT Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) which “prohibits the unreasonable demolition of historic structures as a damage to the environment.”

In CT’s general statutes, the CT Environmental Policy Act, chapter 439, Sec 22a: 19 and 19a, refers to “unreasonable destruction of landmarks of the state.”

The negative community response to the proposed demolition and redevelopment is similar to a proposed redevelopment of several historic properties in the Fourth Ward on Church Street and Sherwood just two blocks away from 2 Greenwich Ave.

In 2021, a massive 8-30g affordable housing development was proposed that would have demolished several houses on the National Register.

The structures are in the Fourth Ward, which became a National Register Historic District in 2000.

At the time, Diane Fox from the Greenwich Preservation Network argued historic preservation issues were just as important as the need for pubic health and safety, which is the high bar to reach to oppose an 8-30g.

Ms Fox said the 8-30g statute refers to, “the decision for the commission is necessary to protect substantial Public interests in health, safety or other matters which the commission may legally consider…”

At that same Oct 2021 P&Z meeting, Alban cited a 2001 article by Terry J Tondro about United Progress vs Stonington P&Z from 1994.

“The point the judge made in the Stonington decision is that historic preservation, when it is a National Register District, does rise to a protection of a resource in the state of great importance,” Alban said. “It is important to consider protecting heritage.”

Since 2021, the Church/Sherwood applicants withdrew their proposal.

Since news broke of the proposed redevelopment at the top of Greenwich Avenue, dozens of residents have penned letters to SHPO including Fred Lee from District 1.

According to Greenwich Time last week, Mr. Lee received a written notice that SHPO will begin an investigation of the proposed demolition.

On Thursday, First Selectman Fred Camillo urged residents with concerns about the proposed demolitions to reach out to Todd Levine at SHPO and to the office of Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong.

“Those offices have power to get involved when it comes to demolition of a historic or culturally significant structure like 2 Greenwich Avenue,” Camillo said.

Mr. Levine can be reached at [email protected] and 860-500-2337 and the Attorney General’s Office can be reached at [email protected] and 860-808-5318.

Camillo’s e-blast said he had sent letters to both Mr. Levine and Mr. Tong himself, saying, in part, “The applicant proposes to ‘reconstruct’ the corner building in the spirit of its Tudor Revival character. The applicant in its own narrative has stated the result ‘will not be a facsimile’ and the people of Greenwich believe reconstruction is not preservation. Demolition would permanently remove authentic nineteenth-century fabric from a beloved part of Greenwich’s downtown and would forever change this historic building and section of an historic boulevard.”

Camillo added, “Close to 60 years ago, just feet from this spot, the historic Pickwick Arms Hotel was demolished in favor of an office building and the people of Greenwich still lament that decision. The building in question here is one of the most iconic buildings in Greenwich and to alter it in any way would be devastating to the historic character of the Town, the downtown area, and preservation efforts in general.”

The July 21 P&Z meeting starts at 4:00pm. Join via Zoom or view on a local cable channel.

Agenda and Zoom link here.

Anyone who requires an accommodation to participate should contact the Commissioner of Human Services Demetria Nelson at 203-622-3800 or [email protected] as soon as possible in advance of the event.

2 Greenwich Avenue, constructed in 1894, at corner of Greenwich Ave and W Putnam. To the left is 10 Greenwich Ave, with Taqueria on the ground floor. June 11, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager