INDIVIDUAL BENCH-MARK SITE DESIGN PROGRAMS 

The five Bench-Mark sites to be designed by artisan competitors were chosen because of their potential as safe congregating areas for pedestrians waiting to cross Main Road and for their attractiveness as sitting places to converse and watch village activities or perhaps for both reasons.  Their principal purpose is to serve pedestrians, encouraging their interactions and making it easier for them while moving about the village.  The accompanying short design program statements correspond to the aerial view of Main with its numbered illustrations. Each statement sets minimum conditions that design solutions must meet. In mid December, additional annotated photographs of each location will identify the specific location and size parameters for the Bench-Mark designs.

For more information about each number (below) click here or scroll to bottom of page.

BENCH-MARK #1
This is the northern most Bench-Mark. It will serve as a gathering place where people living and working on the west side of Main Road would cross the road to get to shops in the “Commons,” the Apothecary, and the banks. In addition, this may be a pleasant sitting place to chat, see neighbors and watch other village activities. An objective is to take advantage of the large shade tree, a local landmark, near the site.

BENCH-MARK #2
This site on the west side of Main Road is in transition. There are plans under consideration to both remove the small office building to the north of the house as well as move the historic house back toward the western part of the lot. This will be decided soon. If the historic house is moved, there will be a more spacious lawn between the house and the handsome stonewall running along the edge of the road pavement. At this moment, the house shall be assumed not to move but assume that the office building on its north side will be demolished. The gate opening in the stonewall leading to the present office building aligns with the walkway across Main Road leading to the main entrance to Lees Market. The intent is that in the future, a sidewalk would extend from the Bench-Mark #1 site at least this far and perhaps go on further to the south along the west side of Main Road. The sidewalk would be located behind the stonewall. Like Bench-Mark #1 this site would be a gathering place for those waiting to cross the road and probably as another sitting area. NEW INFORMATION is on the Updates page. The location is shifting to the south end of the property adjacent to an historic shed. There will be an accessible path to a crosswalk location, sometime in the future. Until then, this site will be a pleasant resting place. The historic shed may become an exhibit site, another longer-term possibility.

BENCH-MARK #3
Bench-Mark #3 occurs adjacent to a future sidewalk that will extend to the south along the east side of Main Road. It is located between the south most driveway leading to the parking behind Town Hall and the driveway for the police building and the Town Yard. Now there is a small memorial stone with a plaque near the site. The memorial stone may be moved to accommodate a large bronze sculpture on a brick pedestal that the Westport Police Union will install. Competitors are asked to incorporate their bench design with a brick base for the new monument. The Police Union has selected a brick pedestal with the intent of fund raising by 'selling' individual bricks. Read update page for new information and see a photo of the sculpture. The Bench-Mark is to be primarily a sitting and chatting place near the constant activity of Westport’s civic center. The focus is to be towards Town Hall and any benches should be partially shielded from Main Road and police and Town Yard traffic. Town employees may congregate here to eat lunch in good weather.

BENCH-MARK #4
This Bench-Mark on the east side of Main Road is adjacent to a very popular Town playground and close to a stone wall. It is primarily for sitting and watching the young children playing on the varied equipment and with each other. It is also for sitting quietly and chatting. It too, may be a place for nearby workers to have lunch as weather permits. The chain link fence must remain for safety reasons.

BENCH-MARK #5
This Bench-Mark on the west side of Main Road is southeast of the former historic house now under construction to become the new location for “Partners Village Store” a gift and specialty food shop. The Bench-Mark location will be adjacent to the sidewalk to be built as an approach to the shop and beyond, leading to future businesses anticipated further to the west. This Bench-Mark is chiefly a gathering place at a projected pedestrian crossing. The site is expected to become another attractive sitting place from which Village activities can be observed. NEW INFORMATION: an alternate option is noted on the Update page, along with the plan for the land in front of the store. A sketch of the store's sign is also posted.