Editor’s note: The following perspective on the proposed “Hamlet at Saugatuck” project was submitted for publication by Westport resident Rick Smilow.

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I am writing as a follow up to the May 7 Westport Journal Roundtable public discussion, “What Kind of Saugatuck Does Westport Want?” Rodrigo Real, one of the three principals of Roan Development made a number of comments on their proposed Hamlet at Saugatuck project. Those comments lead to these questions and commentary.

Is Roan really listening to the community?

To begin with, Rodrigo Real said that development team had “listened to the community’s concerns and scaled back the projects footprint.” Well, it does not seem they have scaled back anything in the last few months, despite a mass and broad response that the project was just too big and that it didn’t fit Westport. The idea that the Hamlet is too big, and that that is the root of their problems has been communicated by:

• The Westport Architectural Review Board whose unanimous opinion was that they could not approve the current Hamlet plan, mainly because it was too big.
• That has also been the opinion of the almost thousand people who have signed the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck petition. The Alliance is not against development — it wants “Smart Development” that 1) doesn’t make existing traffic problems worse; 2) has adequate on-site parking for its use, and 3) has the look and feel of a New England coastal community. All of these requirements are clearly spelled out directly in the 2022 text amendment itself.
• Professional real estate investors throughout our region, who have turned down the invitation to invest in the Hamlet. The list includes close friends of mine — with successful national hotel / lodging investment experience — who think the Hamlet hotel plan will fail, and that the overall plan is probably not viable.

I think the only people I have heard of, who do not criticize the Hamlet’s size and density, are the 30 or so local investors in the project.

I do acknowledge that in the last month that Roan has made some changes like withdrawing their idea to (1) narrow Riverside Avenue; (2) take away current free parking spaces on and around Railroad Place, and (3) lease available railroad lot parking spaces. But that should not be considered a concession or compromise, because that is town-owned land which they had no right to try and use in the first place!

Is Roan hiding information and perspective from the public and P&Z?

At one point in the evening, Westport Journal publisher Doug Weber asked Rodrigo why the Roan team had not produced a model, or 3-D rendering or 360-degree tour video of their 250,000-square-foot, 10-plus building plan? The answer was “because it was not required.”

Those are the exact same words that their attorney Eric Bernheim used in the Architectural Review Board meeting on April 22. Real also said, “Having a scale model would not help the developers with the public.” 

We think this response was dumb, irresponsible and demonstrated a lack of understanding of how to get things done. If the developer team was proud of their project, and wanted to show it off, and wanted to gain support from Westport, then they should be able to give us a more accurate idea of what it will actually look like. And look like in the context of the existing features including the (1) railroad station, (2) existing streets, (3) Saugatuck River and (4) the I-95 overpass.

One can only conclude that Roan is hiding views and perspective of how big, dense and urban their project is because they know the truth would scare even more people in Westport. (By the way, with current computer graphic and printing technology, making models and 3-D / 360-degree tours is neither expensive or time consuming.)

Is the Hamlet’s pedestrian space of substance and quality?

Rodrigo also said the developer’s goal was to create “a pedestrian realm” anchored in “hospitality.” But when you look at their current 2025 plan schematics, it is very hard to see very much public space. The pedestrian ways, particularly on the “upland” section of the plan, are essentially pathways to retail stores. There is nothing that you would call a plaza, park, green or large garden.

The town was sold this project based on amenities and riverside access to the public. However, the view scape toward the riverfront (between two 60-plus feet high hotel buildings) was deemed too narrow by the site peer reviewer. Even if it was wider, the height of their proposed boardwalk and buildings will totally hide the riverfront from Riverside Avenue, Railroad Place and beyond. The only people who will be able to see the river are luxury condo owners from the third floor up.

And then there is the matter of the charm and caliber of that pedestrian space. Because Roan has never shown us any 3-D renderings or 360-degree views or a model of the project … we cannot tell. 

As some of you might have seen at the April 28 P&Z meeting, I made a simple model with Legos to demonstrate the proportionality of a 3-to-1 ratio, of building height to passageway. Take a look at the pictures below. Yes, there will be a pathway between the buildings, but how much space is there, and how much sunlight will ever reach the ground there? I know my model may not be fully accurate, and doesn’t show possible higher floor setbacks. But the point is that the developer has never shown the public or the P&Z anything that would prove my model wrong.

My perspective on the Roan plan’s riverfront space — tucked behind the planned luxury hotel — is a bit more positive. Maybe that will be quality space. But as for riverfront views and leisure, it is narrow and only about 225 feet long. By no means is this a RIVERFRONT PARK … it’s a nice walkway, behind the restaurants that will be on the backside of the hotel.

Is this really for Westporters?

Another theme that Mr. Real described was how this hospitality-driven venture was designed to enhance life for Westport residents.  

But the centerpiece of it will be a very expensive ($800 a night?) hotel. How often do Westporters use a hotel in Westport for themselves or their friends and family? We know the answer — almost never. 

And some amenities of the hotel will include two small private islands off the coast of Norwalk. How many Westporters will want to pay the high fee to visit these islands like a St. Bart’s or French Riveria beach club?  We know the answer — almost no one.

The Ham City design plan also leaves street level space for 20-30 retail storefronts. But the average place to park your car to visit those stores will be paid, underground, valet operated NYC-style parking garages. How many Westporters’ will want to go through that hassle and lack of parking freedom on a regular basis? My prediction — very few.

When it comes down to it, the Hamlet is being planned for affluent tourists, out-of-towners, not the majority of Westport.  

If you were really listening to the community, you would address the issues above.

Rick Smilow

Member, Westport Alliance for Saugatuck

PS: This letter deals with the Hamlet’s size, density, usage and guiding design principles. Several other letters could be written asking about the Hamlet project’s problematic parking, traffic, environmental, safety, 3-4 year construction timetable and financial viability.

If you are as concerned as 1,000 other Westporters are, please sign our petition here.