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“We have waited a long time for this day, and we are thrilled that our new home will soon be a reality,” said Wendy Schreiber, co-president of the synagogue's Board of Directors “The building will be what we always envisioned – a tasteful, welcoming home that is a positive addition to the neighborhood and fits well into its surroundings.”
The final obstacle was removed at a hearing on Monday, in Hartford, when Judge Marshall K. Berger approved the “Stipulation of Settlement,” resolving all outstanding lawsuits between the Town of Greenwich and a group of residents, opening the way forward for GRS.
Construction on the synagogue will begin as soon as permits are secured. Ifficials said they expect to submit construction plans to the Town of Greenwich in the coming weeks.
Three years ago, the synagogue announced it planned to move from its site at 257 Stanwich Road to 92 Orchard St.
It had shared the 257 Stanwich Road property with the Stanwich School but sold its portion of the property to the private school. The synagogue also purchased two adjacent properties in order to create a 2-acre site for its new building.
However, many Cos Cob residents who lived in the area opposed the plans to build a synagogue because they said traffic would increase and the synagogue, first proposed to be 20,000 square feet, would be too large for their residential neighborhood. The synagogue eventually proposed a 12,000-square-foot synagogue.
It will include a sanctuary, social hall, classrooms, and offices. It is being designed by architectural firm of Mark B. Thompson Associates.
“This is an enormous event, not just for GRS, but for the Town of Greenwich,” said Marc Abrams, co-president of the Board of GRS. “Only once before in this town’s history has a synagogue been built, and we are very excited to add to the history of the town and of our congregation.”
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