Greenwich Town Party Gets Conditional OK to Expand Concert Venue to Downtown

The Greenwich Board of Selectmen sounded a cautious note Thursday when they granted conditional approval to allow the popular Greenwich Town Party to expand its venue for the Memorial Day weekend 2014 concert.

While the headliner is reportedly not contracted yet, organizer Scot Weicker of SBW Productions, told the board at its Nov. 14 meeting that organizers want to expand its venues to Havemeyer Field off Greenwich Avenue and Arch Street — behind Greenwich Town Hall — for the concert. Since the first concert was held in 2011 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, top musicians ranging from Buddy Guy and Paul Simon, to James Taylor, have drawn at least 4,000 concert-goers for the all-day and nighttime event at the waterfront park. And Dave Matthews popped in unannounced two years ago.

By expanding the concert venue to Havemeyer, Weicker said the Greenwich Town Party would be able to accommodate an additional 5,000 people by simulcasting the concert headliner's performance on Jumbotron screens set up in the park. There also would be entertainment at the field throughout the day, just as it is done at Roger Sherman.

Tickets are limited to town residents, and owners and employees of Greenwich businesses. In 2013, tickets for the concert headlined by James Taylor and Blues Traveler were sold out within five minutes, prompting an outcry from residents. 

Weicker to the selectmen that he's held several meetings with town police and parks and recreation officials and has satisfied their concerns regarding crowds, traffic, parking and restricting access to the Havemeyer Field baseball diamond that is equipped with an expensive sprinkler system.

Selectman Drew Marzullo expressed reticence of granting a blanket approval without knowing who will headline the concert that's held the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

Marzullo said the crowds drawn to the concerts are dependent upon the artists. "My concern is granting approval with upwards of 10,000 people attending without knowing who the headliner is going to be," Marzullo said. "Dave Matthews is different from a Metallica that is different from James Taylor. We can grant conditional approval but they have to come back once they've secured the headliner" to make sure police and emergency services can handle crowds, Marzullo added.

The board unanimously granted conditional approval to expand the concert venue with the proviso Weicker meet with town officials once contracts are finalized for the top performer. Weicker said that is expected to happen by January.

If officials are not satisfied, they will retain the option to revoke the permit to use the park, First Selectman Peter Tesei said.

Weicker also said that all costs of the Town Party are absorbed by organizers and donors, that the town will not incur any costs for additional police or other personnel needed for the event that's held rain or shine.