By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — A pedestrian detour around a Main Street construction site, which reportedly will house a new art gallery, was approved this week by the Board of Selectwomen.

The board on Wednesday unanimously okayed a construction easement agreement between the town and 22 Main Associates LLC to facilitate extensive remodeling of the commercial building at that address.

The selectwomen were told the renovated structure will become a European company’s first art gallery in the United States.

The easement will allow contractors to temporarily detour pedestrians off the sidewalk and to create temporary pedestrian crosswalks on Main Street when needed to complete their work.

The project includes building a new foundation, extensive floodproofing, replacing the storefront and installing new electric and gas services, according to David DiScala, project manager.

The storefront at 22 Main St. was previously occupied by Benefit Cosmetics Boutique & Brow Bar, which closed in January after 11 years.

Discala declined to disclose the name of the new business expected to occupy the building. Calls to the property owner of record, 22 Main Associates, c/o Randel Law Offices, were not returned.

There will be some disruption on Main Street for about six weeks, Discala said, when cement trucks are brought in, and when utility connections are made. 

However, “We will keep a temporary walkway open,” he said, and the sidewalk and street will be blocked temporarily only when needed.

Public Works Director Peter Ratkewich assured the selectwomen that his department will inspect the project regularly, and police will monitor the temporary crosswalks when in use.

More cell tower antennas, more revenue

An amendment to an existing lease agreement between the town and AT&T/New Cingular Wireless for improvements to a cell tower at Fire Department headquarters, 515 Post Road East, was also approved by the Board of Selectwomen. 

AT&T is increasing the number of antennas on the tower from nine to 12, and replacing the cell tower’s rack. 

The tower improvements will garner the town an additional $18,000 in rental revenue annually.

Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist and journalism teacher for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman newspaper for 10 years and currently teaches journalism at Southern Connecticut State University.