How Do You Like Your Tuna? Plus: Tate George … Swish (hopefully)

5 p.m. update

: We’re inching closer to Primary Insanity Day!

Four Democratic primaries for City Council will take place on Tuesday including the battle royal in the 138th District in the Upper East Side, one of my favorite city neighborhoods covering the northeast corner of the city near the Beardsley Park area and shares borders with Trumbull and Stratford.

Veteran incumbents Bob Curwen and Rich Paoletto have been tested before, but not like this race. Opposition comes from two slates. Andy Fardy, retired firefighter and former Park Board member (aka OIB poster town committee) and Ann Barney, a 25-year employee of the Board of Education, have deep roots in the neighborhood and know lots of folks which comes in handy in a low-turnout primary.

But two other viable candidates are in the mix. The Rev. James Morton, associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Stratford, and Tyreke Bird. Morton is the son of one of my all-time favorite public officials, former State Senator Margaret Morton, the first African American woman in the state senate when she took on the party establishment in 1980 and defeated incumbent Sal DePiano in a Democratic primary. That race was a flashpoint in city politics.

The 138th District has two polling places: Hooker School, home to lots of owner-occupied homes and the JFK Campus that covers the lower end of the district above Boston Avenue such as Success Village where Bird resides.

Success Village traditionally produces an establishment party vote, a place I relied on running races for a variety of candidates. That means advantage Curwen and Paoletto. Not so fast. Morton and Bird can make some headway there and possibly pull votes away from the incumbents.

Fardy and Barney should run competitively with Curwen and Paoletto in Hooker School. They’ve been knocking on doors, blasting away on the phones and identifying favorable voters. They’re also running as the change candidates opposed to the administration of Mayor Bill Finch. Curwen and Paoletto also know the voters they can count on. They’ve been doing this a long time. Paoletto, who’s on the city payroll, is a loyal vote for Finch. Curwen, who has mayoral ambitions, is not so close, but also not an enemy. The mayor definitely wants to save Paoletto. But where does the mayor have standing? The JFK precinct where you have far more renters not impacted by tax increases. The mayor must be super-selective in the Hooker precinct to pull out voters. That means going through a voting list and identifying voters he believes are a lock. Anything else could backfire.

One thing is for sure, Finch does not want Fardy on the City Council. Andy, as far as Finch is concerned, goes down like dry tuna. Can you feel that lump in your throat? Fardy would be a big pain in the ass on the City Council for the mayor.

I see this as a tight race. It comes down to the slate that can persuade, urge, and drag their peeps to the polls.

East End Deal

Mayor Bill Finch and Economic Development Director Donald Eversley announced a development agreement with the Simon Konover Company and a partner company headed by Tate George, former UConn basketball star, to revitalize a piece of the old Carpenter Steel site in the East End.

This is the first significant economic development initiative Finch can call his own. Let’s hope Tate performs a little more magic than the last hoop star that announced a big deal for the city. See Finch news release below:

The Simon Konover Company and The George Group LLC Chosen to Develop Seaview Plaza

Joint Project by Bridgeport Port Authority and City of Bridgeport to Yield Retail/Commercial and Public Access for former Carpenter Steel Site

BRIDGEPORT, CT (September 10, 2009) – The Bridgeport Port Authority and the City of Bridgeport have selected a proposal by The Simon Konover Company of West Hartford, Conn., and The George Group, LLC of New Jersey & Florida to develop the remaining unused 15.8 acre portion of the former Carpenter Steel site into a 152,000 square foot mixed-use commercial/retail center.

The announcement was made during a press conference today in the Mayor’s Conference Room, City Hall Annex, 999 Broad St.

Located at the intersection of Stratford and Seaview Avenues in the City’s East End, the project, to be named Seaview Plaza, is expected to generate hundreds of new jobs, provide a home for both existing and new Bridgeport businesses, generate significant tax revenues and lease fees to the Port & City, and add much needed retail services to the adjoining neighborhoods.

“This is a great day for Bridgeport and the East End,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “This project will restore both first-class retail and waterfront access to a neighborhood that has been deprived of both, for many years. We’re pleased to have two very enthusiastic development partners put their stamp on this part of the City.”

The Seaview Plaza plan includes an anchor grocery, pharmacy, a waterfront restaurant, a gas station & convenience store, and opportunities for multiple smaller retail and commercial/office uses. Also planned are a waterfront park for recreation and fishing and a community center.

“This is the fruit of a year-long planning process and a competitive Request for Proposals, with great input from the East End NRZ committee and the state of Connecticut,” said Donald Eversley, Bridgeport’s Director of Planning & Economic Development, who coined the name “Seaview Plaza” and programmed the overall concept for the development. “The visibility, desirable location and easy access from I-95 will also give the development a citywide and regional draw to help ensure its success.”

The Connecticut Departments of Environmental Protection, Economic & Community Development, and Transportation were all instrumental in shaping the uses for this site that was until recently considered as a location for a container barge shipping operation.

“Too often, retail and commercial development overlooks under-served urban communities and markets,” said Simon Konover, Chairman of the Board of The Simon Konover Company. “Many developers tend to build in suburban areas and miss the opportunity to strengthen our cities by putting underutilized properties back into productive use, and supporting smart-growth strategies that create sustainable communities. Our effort seeks to change that model.”

“While we intend to deliver a first-class retail and small office center to serve the city’s needs, we want to create a model that provides business opportunities, jobs, community open space, and a place for the neighborhood to shop and enjoy,” added Tate George, the principal of The George Group. “We believe that our project will play an important role in helping create a development that will serve both the financial interests of the city and enhance the social fabric of the community.”

In the coming months, the Bridgeport Port Authority and The Simon Konover-George team will negotiate a land development agreement, setting out all the parameters for the development. Once the Port Authority Board of Directors approves the plan, The Simon Konover-George team will undertake a local and state permitting process, which is expected to be completed by early next summer. During that time, the developers plan to reach out to national, regional and local retailers, seek their commitments for space, and close financing on the deal. Construction would begin immediately thereafter, and plans are to open the first set of stores by late summer 2011.

“We are excited about Bridgeport and appreciate the leadership shown by Mayor Finch, Donald Eversley and Port Authority Chairman Denis O’Malley,” said Konover. “And we believe retailers will feel the same way and make this a success for everyone in the community.”

About The Simon Konover Company

The Simon Konover Company and its affiliates have developed and managed retail centers, commercial buildings, market-rate apartments and affordable housing facilities throughout the state and across the northeast. Current projects include a new retail center in Holyoke, MA; the Dye House mill reconstruction in Manchester, CT; and a multi-use center with retail, office and residential components in East Lyme, CT. For more information about The Simon Konover Company, go to www.simonkonover.com.

About The George Group

The George Group (owned by former UConn basketball star Tate George) is presently developing projects including Baxter Terrace in Newark, NJ; the Targeted Neighborhood Abandoned and Vacant Properties Restoration Project in the West Ward of Newark, NJ; and the Arcadian Gardens site in East Orange, NJ. For more information about The George Group, go to www.thegeorgegroup.net

Quick Comeback For Cat

By the way let’s wish a quick and full recovery to OIB friend Michele Mount (MCAT) who underwent back surgery on Wednesday. Hopefully it wasn’t caused by all her OIB posts in between client sessions and legislative meetings. Let’s hope she’ll be dispensing her free legal advice and wit very soon.

Message from Mayor Finch regarding 9/11

Eight years ago we were attacked suddenly and incomprehensibly at our nation’s capital in Washington D.C., and only 60 miles from here, in New York City.

As part of the Greater New York Metropolitan area, the City of Bridgeport was deeply grieved to see our neighbors and friends fall victim to that tragedy. However, we were also extraordinarily proud of the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and citizens of New York and Washington who rose to the occasion, performing great acts of heroism at the risk of their own lives and safety.

We honor the memory of the victims that day and we recognize the lessons we’ve learned in the years since. The attacks on 9/11 brought us together as a people. We learned to rely on one another in times of crisis, to ensure our general safety and well-being. More importantly, we learned that no matter what adversities we face, we are able to overcome them by working together toward common goals. In 2009, as we face a new set of trials, those lessons are more important than ever.

Mayor Bill Finch