News release from city’s State House delegation:
Representatives Andre Baker (D-124th), Charlie Stallworth (D-126th), Jack Hennessy (D-127th), Christopher Rosario (D-128th) and Ezequiel Santiago (D-130th) are pleased to announce Bridgeport received a substantial amount of funding for projects across the city. The funds were approved by the State Bond Commission on Friday, January 29, 2015.
“I am pleased to see that Bridgeport was well represented with these funding items,” Rep. Baker said. “I realize we have a tough budget ahead, but despite that the city received over $16 million.”
“From housing to transportation, these various projects address a number of quality of life issues that will improve the city on several different fronts,” Rep. Stallworth said. “As always, we are hard at work to bring the dollars home and I thank Governor Malloy for supporting the effort.”
“This amount of funding during lean economic times is indicative of a well-represented municipality,” Rep. Hennessy said. “Bridgeport will come around and every bit of funding helps–I look forward to continued collaboration that will benefit city.”
“Ensuring that people have adequate, affordable and decent housing is one of the foundations to successful communities,” Rep. Rosario said. “It only improves when you combine that with a robust transportation system–such as a new train station in the district.”
“We have been working for some time to fund several projects that address constituent concerns and issues, and this round of funding moves us forward,” Rep. Santiago said. “This is what can be accomplished when a delegation works together to represent its constituency.”
Included in this round of funding:
· Master plan around the new Barnum train station–$150,000
· Harrison Apartments – 102 Units–$5,000,000
· Milestone Apartments – 15 Units Supportive/15 Units–$9,155,000
· University of Bridgeport – power to dining hall, recreation center, student center, police station and two residence halls to provide emergency shelter for city residents–$2,200,000
Only the UB money makes sense for Bridgeport. Again, the rest of the money is for tax-negative (service and infrastructure-intensive) development that will serve the Gold Coast at our expense. We are the “servants quarters”–they are “the big house.” Who wins here?
Where is the $200,000,000 for our “Bridgewater” and “Charter Communications?” (That’s what Dan sent to Stamford–+ $20,000,000 for UBS–during his first term.)
We get chump change for projects that support the tax base and lifestyle of the Gold Coast–they get a free ride on our backs.
Yeah, let’s celebrate the exploitation $ sent to Bridgeport to keep us in our place! That’s the way, Team Stamford! (OOPS!)–I mean, Team Bridgeport.
I just want to be clear, are Andre Baker and Chris Rosario, who have both served in the legislature for 20 business days, attempting to take credit for bringing home the bacon?
How surprising, MJF supported Malloy in his re-election bid, and UB gets $2.2 million dollars in taxpayer funds. I am sure no quid pro quo was involved.
Milestone Apartments is receiving $9.2million for 15 apartment units which equates to $610,000 per unit. Is this a joke and who is getting paid off?
That really is a joke!!!
Excerpted from a May 2014 story online, written by Rob Sullivan (link to full article below)
The three-story development will include retail space and 30 units of supportive and affordable apartments. Of the 30 apartments at Milestone at Stratford Avenue, ten will provide supportive services for adults with special needs, specifically directed toward veterans. The remaining apartments will be set aside for individuals earning less the 80% of the area’s Annual Median Income (AMI).
“This is a great day for the East End,” said East End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Chairman Bishop Richardo Griffith. “Nothing significant has happened in the East End for about 30 years. This is the beginning of great things.”
[…]
David Kooris, Director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development, spoke on behalf of Mayor Finch praising the organizations and individuals who worked to bring the construction to Bridgeport. “There is a need for quality housing,” Kooris said. “Projects like this illustrate the alignment of interests between East End and the administration.”
“If you have a home on the East End, hold on to it,” said Councilwoman Eneida Martinez-Walker. “Your values are going to go up soon.”
Source: www .bridgeportbanner.com/spring-back-the-east-end/
Let’s be clear: Andre Baker and Chris Rosario played a meaningful role in bringing home the bacon. Their presence improved the roster. Those things don’t happen by accident. Take the oath and bring home the bacon–that’s what winners do.
I disagree with Jeff Kohut’s downbeat interpretation. All these deals benefit Bridgeport, which will transform from a dumping ground for worker bees to a breeding ground for winners.