Governor Dan Malloy’s in Bridgeport today to meet with Mayor Bill Finch and Police Chief Joe Gaudett to discuss his gun violence prevention proposals. The governor will also deliver the keynote address this afternoon at the Bridgeport Regional Business Council’s Capitol Luncheon at the Holiday Inn Downtown. On Monday the governor announced a $4 million grant for a Downtown housing development led by Kim Morque, a principal in Bridgeport Historic Ventures, transforming buildings as part of the city’s Downtown North redevelopment on Main Street, including the Security Building.
Morque is a principal with Spinnaker Real Estate, a substantial property owner Downtown. Details of the grant issued by Malloy:
Bridgeport Historic Ventures, Bridgeport — This mixed-use project will rehabilitate three contiguous historic properties in the heart of Bridgeport’s central business district. Funding for this project demonstrates the state’s continued support for the revitalization of downtown Bridgeport by assisting in the creation of both affordable and market rate units in this key main street block. It also meets Transit Oriented Design criteria, being located two blocks from the Bridgeport Amtrak/Metro North train station and regional bus service. The project will create 70 new units, at least 18 of which will be affordable.
Malloy continues to be a competent and good governor for B’port. I wonder what he truly thinks of the incompetence of the local officials.
When will Malloy provide funds for entities providing JOBS? We have a surplus in available downtown housing.
Good for downtown north area, which is a historic district and been stagnant, as has Middle Street just behind that location with many blighted buildings there. So with the renovated former Rite Aid building across the street now open for rent, and also 333 State Street not far away, this is certainly good news for downtown. And Kim seems to be doing a good job downtown for example at 211, and has won awards for historic preservation in SoNo.
These housing retrofits are very complicated. If this state money comes from the DECD and/or has to come through the City then I say: Good Luck Kim. What kind of historic tax credits, LIHTC are involved? Where is the rest of the money coming from and how can you market these units with all the vacant burnouts such as the Middle Street Boys Club and the Jason Building in the neighborhood? Time will tell. It seems five years into the regime we are now starting to hear more announcements of what’s going to happen in the future.
This is fantastic news. The more young people moving downtown the more hope for a vibrant future. Most people on this blog as well as the miserable chronic complainers who live in the City but talk down about the City are not the hope for the future. The hope for Bridgeport is the youth. It would behoove all taxpayers and city residents to show some positive reaction for any prospects that benefit the cosmetics of our city. Honestly, let’s be optimistic. Any money coming to the City that will put people to work is a good thing. I believe there is light at the end of this tunnel.
Great news for Downtown North. Known for way too long as Beirut. Morque and his partners have the expertise to get this done. Let’s hope the delays are over and this moves forward quickly. Downtown is desperate for support.
*** At all the new construction sites downtown, the city can generate some jobs downtown cleaning car windows at the traffic stops and selling oranges under the viaducts along with cold bottles of water, with Finch’s picture on them in the summertime near all the new parks he’s had done in the city, no? *** URBAN RENEWAL IN THE PARK CITY ***