With an assist from a Cherry Hill Construction worker, Mayor Joe Ganim powered the controls to start demolition of the nearly 60-year-old vacant Boys & Girls Club in the North End to be rebuilt under Wakeman that operates a facility in Black Rock serving thousands of kids. Check out the video to see observers scatter.
Near the end of the video Director of Economic Development Tom Gill, followed by intrepid CT Post reporter Brian Lockhart and State Rep. Steve Stafstrom pull away from the debris. Standing strong clapping against the wreckage is Bridgeport booster Steven Auerbach who works for the city’s Public Facilities department.
After Lockhart dusted himself off, he filed this story.
Wakeman has been raising the $13 million necessary for construction and an operating budget for the first three years. David Blagys, a Bridgeport native and Wakeman’s executive director, was also present for the start of demolition. He said the fundraising would continue in earnest come September, with a flashy rappelling event off the People’s United Bank Building downtown.
Blagys hoped to break ground on the new North End building in the first quarter of 2019. Construction is expected to take 10 to 12 months, he said.
Blagys acknowledged the effort to revive the club had gone slower than hoped. There had been talk, for example, about renovating the original clubhouse, but the building was determined to be too far gone.
Full story here.
*** Big ups on a new Boys & Girls Club in the North End & maybe in the future one in the East-Side for all city kids.***
Great news for the City and the North End. This facility is going to be similar to our Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse in Black Rock but significantly larger with all the traditional Boys & Girls Club offerings as well as a fine arts component and squash courts. For those of you asking “how can I help”, come downtown on Sunday September 16th and rappel off the People’s Bank building!
https://otewakeman.com
Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse in Black Rock is a real jewel for Bridgeport and the fact that are involve with the new North End Boys & Girls Club and hopefully one can be placed in the East End. I have a family member who been Smilow-Burroughs summer camp for four years and he looks forward going there every summer. Boys & Girls Club have changed over the years for the better it’s more than just playing basketball, it’s a true learning center and it keeps children out of trouble.
Try reading what Lee Atwater told Ronald Reagan to do so that he could elected as President and the Republican Party has never stop using that plan in fact 45 did a great job using Atwater’s plan
If this new club is going to break up the Bocce Ball Fights, I’m going to be pissed!
*** That Bocce-ball pit has not been used for a while from what I remember? ***
Haha, dam Stevie was excited,taking pics of Joe in the tractor,and the over the top clapping for Joe..Geesh, I’m embarrassed for him, lol
Harvey Weintraub. You should be embarrassed for your comment. Makes you sound like an ass. Diminishing a great moment is what has taken the blog in a new direction. Your derogatory comment can only excite an idiot.
Lol.. Calm down Steve. Go collect more signatures for Joe.
Steve,
Your derogatory comments can only excite other bitter retreads like yourself. Have a nice fucking day.
so how about a boys and girls club for the EAST END?
Such a disgrace, destroying a structurally sound, historic landmark. Celebrating failure. What nerve!