Mayor Bill Finch announced on Wednesday the hiring of Parag Agrawal as the city’s new planning director. He replaces the retired Michael Nidoh who occupied the position for more than two decades.
“We couldn’t be happier to have Parag on board,” said Finch in a statement. “With his extensive planning background in urban and suburban areas, he’s well equipped to help make Bridgeport a better place to live, work, and raise a family. He’s a great asset to our team.”
Agrawal joins the city with more than 12 years of leadership experience in development and implementation of planning projects that encourage sustainable growth practices, foster economic development, and promote urban revitalization, according to a news release by the mayor. In his previous roles, Agrawal served as Senior Planner for the Planning Department of Montgomery County in Maryland; Long Range Planner in the Office of Planning and Zoning of Anne Arundel County in Maryland; and Assistant Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Columbus, Ohio.
“We’re thrilled to have Parag join our team at a critical time in the city where economic development is moving at a rapid pace,” said David Kooris, Director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development. “I’m glad that we have a seasoned veteran joining us as we look to make our city a cleaner, safer, and stronger place to live and work.”
Agrawal has a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Ahem, it is The Ohio State University–and they take that The very seriously.
Welcome to Bridgeport, Connecticut. On behalf of all the optimistic residents in this city, I wish you great success. May your input and expertise elevate Bridgeport to the great city it was in days gone by. May you remain forever positive and run as fast as you can from all the negative naysayers. Best Wishes! Parag Agrawal’s credentials are impressive. Good choice, Mayor Finch!
I wonder if this is the same Parag married to Rohini Gupta.
It is, according to articles published by and about him.
Steve, already you are talking about naysayers. Is that to say people who don’t agree with the mayor or others in city government are naysayers? I hope so. Are people who complain we have been waiting for steel point since 1987 naysayers? I hope this new guy is ready for Mayor Timpanelli and Mayors Wood and Nunn. I do sincerely wish him luck.
🙂
Wow. Rapid pace of development. Can hardly wait.
While ‘piping’ the new Planner on board, take a moment to reflect and salute the former Planner, Mike Nidoh, who was part of many past planning experiences in the City and therefore the repository of lots of history about what, why, when as well as ‘wins and losses.’ There should have been a parade for Mike. There was not.
So let’s look at plans, like the current Zoning Master Plan. It is always under attack from the moment of its approval. How will a new planner get into the spirit of it? Will it be defended?
The City has spent time and attention on planning for parks, too. Recent comments show how City Hall ‘desires’ can override park planning and commentary. Is that respect for the planning process, or just an example of power in action?
Let us hope for a future where more stakeholders are brought together to register knowledge and feelings on a subject (at times and places convenient to more than a few). Let the professional planners listen to the people and provide samples of visual and fiscal moment for further reviews and comment. Let the planning become refined and community based before it is put before the City Council with adequate print info for all and backup material available and cited. And let the PLAN move to ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT with community support behind it. Are we missing any of those steps in our current city process, Mayor Finch? Will a new planner make a difference? Time will tell.
Let’s hope this new guy is an implementer, not an orator or politician and not someone who follows orders from influential developers as has been the case for decades. I hope they just don’t draw up tables and plans to support politicians but actually become leaders and advocate with vision on what is good for Bridgeport.
Speaking of Economic Development, so sorry to see where Brian Lockhart has left the CT Post. I wish him well in his new position as director of Public Relations for RCI Marine/Bass Pro Shops.
www .ctpost.com/local/article/Officials-see-Bass-Pro-summer-groundbreaking-5321679.php
What a crock this article is!
Groundbreaker …
Troll speaks new language … HYPERBOLESE
Please? Time will tell.