Area Many Consider Main Street Eyesore for Years to Get New Look Start with Agenda Item before Council
By Jeff Toquinto on April 27, 2026
An area many considered an eyesore with high visual traffic in downtown Bridgeport could soon have a high-end look based on action taken by City Council this evening.
The city’s governing body will be looking at giving the green light to a $70,300 contract for consulting services with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. The agreement will set up the future design of downtown green space situated at the corner of Main Street and Virginia Avenue. It will also include improvements at Deegan and Hinkle Lakes Park.
It is part of a busy City Council agenda set for this evening at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex. The meeting begins at 7 p.m./Council%202026/Getty%20Demo%20I%20(1).jpg)
The Main Street property in question was the former home to the Mike Kelley Appliance building that has since been demolished. The lakes property deals with the shelter area near the tennis courts. Just recently, the city completed the process of choosing the architect/engineer for the design work.
“We went through a competitive process in choosing (CEC). All the consultants interviewed did an impressive job with great ideas,” said Shuttleworth. “Our committee will look at their ideas, our ideas, and community ideas. We’re looking forward to getting both projects going.”
The contract will involve site surveys, mechanisms for community input and ideas, conceptual drawings, all the way to engineering plans, and construction documents for bid specifications.
“We think there are already some good ideas on the table, and we think with community input we’ll have even more,” said Shuttleworth.
The project at the lakes will be at the shelter, or pavilion near the tennis courts with multiple upgrades. Although that is important, the one /Council%202026/Deegan%20Shelter%20Inside.jpg)
drawing attention will be the project on the corner of Main and Virginia.
drawing attention will be the project on the corner of Main and Virginia.
“You look at all of the upgrades in the downtown, from streetscape projects and new lamp posts to business owners doing face improvements, and you have a really nice look,” said Shuttleworth. “This process won’t stop the work downtown, but it will be a significant improvement to the downtown and leave the community with a bright spot in a very visible part of Main Street.
Also, Monday’s meeting will feature a little bit of pomp and circumstance as several formal and celebratory events will be happening.
A key item, which falls under new business, involves ceremonial matters. A trio of individuals will be sworn in as Bridgeport Police Officers.
Police Officers Hannah Horne, Zachary Hensley, and Mason Pinard will all be sworn in. All three officers are certified./Council%202026/Mason%20Pinard.jpg)
Officer Pinard completed his training Friday, August 17, said Chief Mark Rogers. Officers Horne and Hensley had previously worked with pre-certified agencies and had accredited field training.
Pinard will have to complete a 16-week field training program. Horne and Hensley will have roughly seven weeks of field training.
“The additions bring us up to 35 officers, but we’ve had a few leave recently. We have four openings,” said Rogers.
Full staffing is 39 officers. That total includes the department’s leadership positions.
Rogers said efforts have begun to start filling vacancies. Another round of testing will be held May 30 at the Wayne Jamison Field track for the physical portion at 8 a.m. to be followed by a written examination at 10 a.m. at Bridgeport Middle School.
Applications can be turned in until 2 p.m. Friday, May 29. The applications can be picked up at the police department office at the /Council%202026/Council%203-27-23%20Inside%20Rogers.jpg)
Bridgeport Municipal Complex between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. They can also be found on the city’s Web site and on the Bridgeport Police Department Facebook page where a QR code can be found to get the application.
Bridgeport Municipal Complex between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. They can also be found on the city’s Web site and on the Bridgeport Police Department Facebook page where a QR code can be found to get the application.
As part of the awards and presentations portion of the meeting, multiple students from Bridgeport will be recognized. Dozens of students from Bridgeport Middle School will be on hand for a special presentation.
The BMS dance and wrestling teams will be recognized at the meeting. The two teams recently captured Mid Mountain 10 Conference Championships.
Under new business, Council will also be asked to amend an oil and gas lease agreement with Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc., and Long Ridge West Virginia, LLC, which deals with Pump Station #1 on Barnetts Run Road.
Another item, which has happened in the past, will see the city being asked to provide equipment for another municipality. Council will be asked to donate 17 Motorola Portable Radios to the Shinnston Fire Department.
There will also be a budget revision on the agenda, which is listed as #9 for the general fund for the current fiscal year. Finance Director Sharon Hinkle said it will address several items as part of $54,187 being added to the General Fund./Council%202026/Council%203-23-26%20Shuttleworth.jpg)
The total includes $17,273 from a County Commission/EMS funds grant for Bridgeport Fire Department training and equipment; $20,000 being added to the city police judge’s budget based on police fees collected above original budget amount; $6,510 added due to the sale of fixed asset for Bridgeport Public Works, which will be added back to their equipment repair line items; and $10,404 from an insurance check for police department vehicle work that will be added back to vehicle repairs. The revision also includes adding $20,000 to cover legal fee overages but reducing contingency funds by the same amount to add to legal fees.
In the lone item under unfinished business, Council will also formally have a final reading and vote on amending the city’s Master Fee Schedule. It keeps all in one place, every fee charged by the city and the amendment is to include any rate increases or decreases that may be going into place.
Prior to regular business on the agenda, Council will hear a department report from Shuttleworth, who is also the Parks and Recreation director while doubling as the current interim city manager. He will make the presentation with Assistant Director Amy Callahan.
“Each department does an annual report to Council to keep them up to date and help them with the budget process comes along,” said Shuttleworth. “It will show them what has been accomplished, specials projects and events, and a yearly overview of everything that’s happened. There will also be a brief portion showing upcoming projects and other items that are budget related.”
There will be a report by Mayor Robert Matheny and Shuttleworth. There will also be a public forum near the start of the meeting for anyone wishing to address the city’s governing body.
Rev. Sarita Robinson of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church will do the invocation for the meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the demolition of the Mike Kelley Appliance building, while the shelter area at Deegan and Hinkle Lake Parks is shown in the second photo. Officer Mason Pinard is shown after his recent graduation from the State Police Academy in the third photo, followed by Police Chief Mark Rogers. Bottom photo is of Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth.
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