Westport, Conn., Eyes New $100M Public Safety Complex

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(TNS) —WESTPORT — The town’s first responders are pushing for a public safety complex to house police, fire and EMS services.

Town leaders joined Fire Chief Nicholas Marsan in a public meeting last month to detail the project, which is in its infancy with no final cost projections or designated location.

“This would be more than just a building; it’s a commitment to the people of Westport,” said Marsan, who also serves as the town’s emergency management director.

“Modernizing our facilities will enhance our ability to respond quickly and efficiently in times of emergency,” Marsan said. “A new complex will also allow for better coordination of resources and planning, ensuring that our community is well-prepared for any situation.”

The meeting was to begin to gauge community interest in the project, which Marsan said would bring the police department, EMS and two firehouse locations under one roof.

“This is a much-needed facility that will greatly benefit our community,” Police Chief Foti Koskinas said.

“Housing police, fire, and EMS under one roof fosters better collaboration, faster response times, and more efficient operations,” Koskinas said. “A project of this nature will strengthen public safety and ensure that we are well-equipped to serve Westport now and into the future.”

Marsan said the idea was born from a 2018 firehouse infrastructure study that reinforced what local firefighters and town officials already knew — the firehouses are aging and woefully inadequate by today’s standards.

“All four fire houses were outdated,” the chief said. “We have an aging infrastructure, and we require more square footage.”

Two firehouses are more than 100 years old, another is 75, and the headquarters is some 40 years old. And each requires major upgrades and significant dollars to meet safety mandates.

Marsan said it was during this process that Westport’s first responders saw the opportunity to create one centralized location with dispatch, police, fire and EMS together.

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “A public safety complex will ensure that our first responders have the resources and infrastructure they need to serve Westport effectively for generations to come.”

The facility would be some 75,000 square feet with an additional outbuilding for vehicle maintenance.

The estimated cost is nearly $100 million, but Marsan pointed out that proposed capital projects for upgrading the firehouses stand at $70 million. A new facility would free up three buildings — police headquarters, Greens Farms Fire House and fire department headquarters — for sale or other uses, he said.

“This is an opportunity to improve cooperative efforts in emergency response,” said Marsan, adding that the new building would provide first responders with a HAZMAT decontamination area, additional classroom space and training areas.

The main issue, according to Marsan, is where to put the building. He said no strong locally owned central locations would offer the 7 to 9 acres to allow for closing at least two fire department buildings.

The one location that meets all the size criteria is state land off Sherwood Island Connector.

“No other property in the town meets what would be needed for the development,” Marsan said.

Town officials are still seeking public comment on the plan. For more details or to submit a comment, contact Nicholas L. Marsan at nmarsan@westportct.gov.