Residential Structure Comes Down in Rare Demolition
By Jeff Toquinto on May 18, 2022
A demolition project announced a little more than two weeks ago got going in a big way Tuesday on Main Street.
Jason Underwood, who owns Underwood General Builders whose base of operations are on Main Street, used his company to demolish a residential structure on the lot sitting directly next to that building. Underwood built the building that now houses his headquarters.
On May 2, the demolition project was brought up as part of a façade improvement grant application involving E&C Properties and 
Underwood, who is that group’s organizer. The grant request in front of the Bridgeport Development Authority was to help fund the demolition of the property at 422 E. Main Street, which sits at the intersection of Williams Avenue.
Underwood, who is that group’s organizer. The grant request in front of the Bridgeport Development Authority was to help fund the demolition of the property at 422 E. Main Street, which sits at the intersection of Williams Avenue.
The BDA recommended the application for approval. City Council granted approval at its May 9 meeting.
The demolition came at a cost of $16,000, according to Community Development Director Andrea Kerr at the meeting. If completed as proposed, which does not appear to be an issue, Underwood will receive a grant of $3,200. Council signed off on the grant request after
Wolfe’s Excavating hauled the material away, according to Underwood. Underwood did not have immediate plans for the lot but did say whatever is built will line up with his existing building and continue the parking to get the structures in line.
As for the ideas, Underwood said he believes what will happen is that a two-story structure will be built with the basement all being at street level on Williams Avenue that goes just off of Main Street. He said a structure such as that would lend itself to a commercial use upstairs with potential apartments downstairs.
“I could see using the bottom for handicap accessible apartments,” Underwood said earlier this month. “The top would then go into a commercial setting because you want to take advantage of the zoning that is in place. At the same time, I’m not 100 percent of what will go there. I just know something will.”
Underwood said he will not build anything until a lease, or leases, are in place. He said it will not be a spec building.
Demolitions of residential structures are rare in Bridgeport, even by contractors. Kerr said although the city is monitoring the condition of a handful of homes, she said there are currently no homes targeted for demolition through the city.
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