At a recent appearance before the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, First Selectman Dionna Carlson offered a detailed progress report on the town’s ongoing downtown parking overhaul, while acknowledging both disruption and divided public opinion.
The effort, which has unfolded over several months, is entering what Carlson described as its final phase. Work is expected to begin in mid-April on repaving key municipal lots and completing a redesigned loading zone intended to shift delivery traffic away from Elm Street.
“We’re pushing for April 15th, but sometime between April 15th and May 1st to have both of those lots repaved and also the loading zone area,” Carlson said.
The project, she said, will likely take about two weeks and will temporarily affect parking availability in the town center. To offset the disruption, the town plans to suspend parking meter fees in certain areas and relocate employee parking.
“We will be bagging the pay meters on Elm and South so that people can park for free during the construction because that is going to be super disruptive,” Carlson said.
The broader goal of the initiative is to improve circulation, increase turnover in prime retail spaces and reduce congestion caused by delivery vehicles. Carlson said the new loading zone and ramp will allow smaller delivery trucks — including Amazon, UPS and FedEx — to operate off Elm Street.
Once construction is complete, she described the work as “the final piece to the overall parking redo in town.”
Still, the transition has not been seamless. Local merchants raised concerns about declining foot traffic and the challenges faced by customers making quick stops.
One business owner reported an 8% drop in foot traffic during the early months of the new system and described customer frustration with paid parking and limited short-term options.
Carlson acknowledged the concerns but emphasized that feedback has been mixed.
She added that some retailers have found the new system beneficial, particularly those whose customers previously struggled to find available spaces.
“We are listening,” Carlson said. “We might not always agree, but we are always listening and taking feedback.”
A central tension remains between competing priorities: maximizing parking turnover for quick visits while accommodating longer stays and delivery activity. Suggestions raised during the discussion included creating short-term free parking zones or adjusting enforcement practices, though town officials noted logistical challenges.
Beyond parking, Carlson addressed several additional topics affecting downtown businesses and residents.
She clarified that outdoor dining will continue as usual beginning May 1, pushing back on what she described as misinformation.
“Believe it or not, we are not getting rid of outdoor dining. It has never been under consideration,” she said.
However, the town will no longer install the temporary barricades used during the COVID-19 pandemic, a change intended to restore parking spaces.
Carlson also highlighted upcoming community events tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, including a Fourth of July parade scheduled for June 27.
“We want this to really be a great celebration of New Canaan and New Canaan’s history,” she said.
Other updates included efforts to expand wireless infrastructure through small-cell installations, a new e-bike safety initiative in partnership with local schools and ongoing opposition to a state-approved water utility transaction that town officials argue could negatively affect ratepayers.
On zoning, Carlson noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission is conducting a comprehensive review of regulations, with a public workshop scheduled for April 21.
Throughout the discussion, Carlson returned repeatedly to a theme of patience — a recognition that the changes underway are both disruptive and still evolving.
“I urge patience,” she said. “We’re still watching and seeing the full impacts.”
For now, the town’s approach remains iterative: complete the physical improvements, observe how residents and businesses adapt and make adjustments as needed.
