The Riverside neighborhood of Greenwich is considering a new residential development that would replace an unused two‑family home at 1205 East Putnam Avenue with a cluster of 13 three‑story townhomes. The proposal, put forward by developers led by Ed Zislis, includes two units that the town classifies as “moderate housing,” a tier of affordability intended for households earning roughly $120,000 to $190,000 depending on family size.
Neighborhood support and goals
Members of the Riverside Neighborhood Association have expressed strong support for the project. Susan Foster, a longtime resident, said the townhomes would add needed housing without the traffic and noise associated with a fast‑food restaurant. “We favor this project because it will be residential and not, say, a fast‑food restaurant open from morning till night with a lot of traffic,” she explained.
Jeff Hadzima, another association member, highlighted the development’s alignment with the group’s vision for a cohesive downtown corridor. “Improving the conditions, the aesthetics, the whole downtown corridor is a number one priority for our Association in terms of this project,” he said. He added that the site has seen multiple proposals over the years, and the current design strikes the right balance of scale and style for the neighborhood.
Town officials weigh traffic and safety concerns
Greenwich Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Margarita Alban noted that the commission has asked for a traffic study to address lingering concerns. “What happens because there’s a constructed median on the Post Road where this exits, and people can only turn in one direction? If they wish to head in the other, what are they going to do? How are we going to manage that? How does this affect neighborhood safety?” Alban asked.
The commission’s request reflects a broader caution among some residents who worry about increased vehicle flow and visual impact. While the association’s leadership is optimistic, the traffic study will be a key factor in the commission’s final decision.
Affordability and market pricing
Under Greenwich’s moderate housing guidelines, the two designated units would be priced between $400,000 and $600,000, depending on size. The remaining eleven townhomes would be sold at market rates, with estimates ranging from $1.8 million to $2.4 million.
Alban explained the town’s intent: “You price it so that people who are working in town, which we figured was kind of a middle level. It’s called mid‑income housing, actually. And so what it strives to get is folks that are at the mid‑tier.”
Next steps
The developers anticipate completing the traffic study later this year and submitting a final proposal to the Planning and Zoning Commission by the end of 2026. If approved, demolition of the existing structure would begin, followed by construction of the new townhomes.
Previous attempts to develop the site—including a larger apartment complex and a Shake Shack restaurant—were denied, suggesting that the current townhome plan may have a better chance of moving forward.
Local residents, the Riverside Neighborhood Association, and town officials will continue to monitor the process as Greenwich seeks to balance growth, affordability, and neighborhood character.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
