Update: Finch statement. The state Bond Commission on Monday is scheduled to approve $9 million to assist with phase 1 of shoreline improvements for the Steelpointe Harbor redevelopment area of the East Side, according to a news release issued by the city’s legislative delegation.
News release:
Bridgeport State Representatives Andre Baker (D-124th), Charlie Stallworth (D-126th), Jack Hennessy (D-127th), Christopher Rosario (D-128th), Steve Stafstrom (D-129th), Ezequiel Santiago (D-130th) and Senators Ed Gomes (D-S23) and Marilyn Moore (D-S22) announce the expected approval of funding for harbor development in Bridgeport.
Bridgeport Legislators–“This is a continuation of many years of concerted effort to transform this valuable parcel for the benefit of the city. This is a vital step toward fully realizing the untapped potential that Bridgeport has to be the hub of maritime commerce and activity for the region. We thank Governor Malloy for his support and look forward to the work ahead.”
The State Bond Commission is slated to approve $9 million to assist with phase 1 of shoreline improvements. This phase consists of rebuilding and raising the elevation of the bulkhead around the peninsula in accordance with federal and state requirements, construction of the public access walkway and associated dredging and environmental remediation.
The Commission will meet on Monday, May 11, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building. The Bridgeport funding is in item #28 on the agenda.
Statement from Mayor Bill Finch:
“This is great news. After decades of broken promises, we’re seeing tremendous progress on construction at this major waterfront development project. It will serve as a major boon for our city’s economy with Starbucks, Chipotle, and Bass Pro Shops already announced. These businesses and others will create good paying jobs, add millions to our tax rolls, and help our city to continue getting better every day. Thanks to Governor Malloy, Bridgeport’s legislative delegation, and the State Bond Commission for their continued support of Bridgeport’s biggest economic development project since the Industrial Revolution.”
This is great news. Of course it pales in comparison to Ganim’s announcement, but hey, $9 million is a nice shot in the arm to get some movement on the peninsula. Let’s get some housing and a hotel announced. Great job to all those involved in bringing the bacon to Bridgeport and bypassing Joe Ganim’s pockets.
Steve, who would live there? High-end housing with unabated views of a coal-fired energy plant to the south, the barrio to the north, and the ‘hood to the east. With their district school being Waltersville.
This administration has done very little to build up the East End and East Side. Steelepoint will look great, but its surrounding neighborhoods leave a lot to be desired. The area will only prosper if there is an effort to build up the entire area, not just the separate taxing district that is SP.
Eric Alicea, the same kind of people who spend a fortune to live in a questionable neighborhood to live in a factory. People who want to live in a brand new development. People who have a vision. Executives who want easy access on and off the highway to go to Manhattan, people who work for a landmark corporation.
People with vision, that leaves out most Bridgeport residents.
Eric,
People who have a vision but don’t necessarily want a view.
Eric Alicea, surprising two of my favorite schools to visit are Barnum and Waltersville, while not in the best area these schools are good and teachers care. The area in question has always had the greatest potential with truly outstanding Victorian housing. I see young families moving in and fixing up these architectural masterpieces. The area has some of the best Hispanic restaurants. I definitely see Steelepointe changing the neighborhoods for the better. You just cannot duplicate these housing gems. I do believe housing and a five-star hotel will be very successful and yes a grocery store. Mr. Alicea, even the views of downtown from the City Trust apts are quite beautiful. 10 middle street, spectacular. University of Bridgeport library breathtaking and yes the views from Steelepointe, beautiful.
Steve,
I visited 10 Middle Street yesterday, have visited the City Trust units near the top of that building, and the views from downtown are beautiful (or spectacular) as you express. More people, more money invested with a commitment to stick for the investment to mature, and more information that lets us see whether important markers and indicators are truly better year by year … all good. Time will tell.
I know the teachers at Walterville are good, I have visited there in the past. My comment on the school situation was geared more to the fact most high-end rental occupants would more than likely send their children to private school rather than a BPS school. Resulting in higher living costs in an already expensive area. Furthermore, none of the sites you talked about have an unobstructed view of the power plant like a building at SP would.
Eric, “RIGHT ON.” While everyone was waiting the area surrounding steal point was allowed to deteriorate instead of being improved, even with the help of “hurricane” federal dollars.
Steve, take a look at how “Bass Pro” has treated the other communities they are located in and what impact positive/negative they have had, what their position is on Equal Rights.
Hector and Eric, I totally accept your opinions. However it will be the youth who change this city. It will be youthful professionals renting the gorgeous apartments by Housatonic and Bijou Square. What kind of hope is there if you are fighting train stations and Steelepointe, what message are you sending to potential homeowners, renters and businesses? Where is the vision and optimism? Honest to G-d and on top of all this you are banking on Joe Ganim. Eric Alicea, I do believe Steelpointe will be very successful. Hotels, marinas and condominiums. I share the vision of Len Paoletta. I believe Mayor Finch is on the right track and all the naysayers are going to be very disappointed. Here is to Bridgeport’s exciting future and the power of the youth and entrepreneurs to create change. Thank G-d for well educated, well read, and well traveled people who appreciate the amazing diversity of this city and continue to contribute to its future prosperity. Finally, thank you to all the negative individuals who provoke these conversations and may all corners of this city benefit from its rebirth. Gentrification is not a dirty word. Charter schools are not a negative and development is a good thing.
Yale New Haven Hospital and its highly skilled surgical team has agreed to perform the removal of Stevie Auerbach’s head from the ass of Mayor Bill Finch.
The operation will take place on or before September 16th, 2015 Primary.
Jim Fox and my adversaries who lack vision and hope for the future of our great city. To those whose lips are glued to Ganim’s ass believing a convicted felon deserves to lead the largest city in the state in one of the wealthiest counties in the country, here is a favorite quote of mine.
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Thank goodness not everyone in Bridgeport is a one-issue voter.
We’re already the region’s “Housing Hub” (translation: The low-taxbase, cheap labor repository for Stamford/The Gold Coast/Suburban Fairfield County). Using Bridgeport as the workforce “housing hub,” Stamford/The Gold Coast/The Fairfield County suburbs don’t have to pay for the costs associated with hosting a massive labor force, i.e., schools, police and fire protection, sewage processing plants, social services, hospitals, etc. “They” get a free ride on our back.
Now we’re going to be the “hub of maritime activity and commerce for the region” (Translation: The feeder-barge, trucking, and warehousing center for the region.)
This means I-95, the Merritt Parkway, Route 8 and I-84 will be able to accommodate more commuter traffic to Stamford/the Gold Coast/The Fairfield County suburbs. With the new train station and the new road linking the train station with Route-8 and I-95 through Stratford, the Remington Woods, and the East Side, allowing many more thousands of “affordable laborers” to commute down-county, Stamford/The Gold Coast/The Fairfield County suburban economies will be set for another boom–at Bridgeport and Stratford’s expense. (When Sikorsky closes, all those workers will be available for the new landscaping, office cleaning, and house cleaning jobs down-county.)
When we hear terms like “housing hub,” maritime activity and commerce hub,” and “transit-related development” we should realize it is something that will keep Bridgeport in a socioeconomically disadvantaged position while expanding the bloated grand lists of Stamford/The Gold Coast/The Fairfield County suburbs.
Stamford got about $250 millon, so far, form the Malloy Administration, and is poised to get a lot more for their $500 million train station upgrade, and Bridgeport–the state’s largest city–is crowing about $9 million(!).
Come on, Bridgeporters. Wake up and smell the diesel fumes (from the trucks traveling down the Seaview Avenue Corridor from the feeder-barge port coming to Steel Point).
Watch out for the traffic jam at the train underpass. That left turn at Crescent St. will become a nightmare. There’s no plans to lower the road, or raise the tracks at the Seaview Ave underpass. I did see a big rig get under the Noble Ave/Crescent St. Underpass though.