Problem
The town has issued a tender for the development of the beach. It adds a list of features that will diminish its natural beauty and open views. The worst is an elevated and decked “all year round concession stand" with event rooms (restaurant?).  This will be a larger structure which will stand on the site of the existing concession and bathroom area. It will have to be raised at least 17 feet and have a disabled access ramp or elevator. This is out of scale with the beach and was selected as an alternative to the much lower cost option of restoring and improving the current concession stand and bathroom.

Solution
Ask the Town of Darien to -

1)Undertake to restore and improve the natural beauty of the beach and it’s unobstructed scenic vistas for all of Darien’s community.

2)Redraft the tender to specify the refurbishment of the current buildings. Limit the amount to half the value of the current buildings (approx $150,000) avoiding the need to raise the structure at least 17 feet and have a disabled access ramp or elevator.


3)Place a greater emphasis on the actual beach by rearranging parking to increase the size of the current beach and formulate a plan to make it more resilient to sea level rise using natural features that can prevent water and sand spilling over into the parking lot and road.