As has been the case for the last several years, construction is booming at the White Oaks development off of Intestate 79. In fact, at this very moment four projects in the millions of dollars are currently taking place, according to Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr.

 

The good news is that there’s more. Although Kerr would not divulge what was next, she did confirm the city has received plans and has been reviewing plans for what she’s calling a “major” project that’s on its way to White Oaks.

 

“At this point, there have been no official permits filed so we can’t release anything. The fact we have plans and are reviewing them lets us know this project is very serious and very likely happening as opposed to not happening,” said Kerr. “I think, if all goes as planned, you will hear something in the coming weeks.

 

“This is definitely a big project,” she continued. “It’s very safe to say it’s a multi-million project that we believe will be happening soon. We hope to see it taking place with the other projects taking place there right now.”

 

At the moment, work is being done on the Regional Eye Associates facility. The building, which can be seen just below TGI Fridays and fronting Interstate 79 recently acquired a permit for to do the shell of its structure for $411,650. REA will be housed in an 8,451 square foot, one-story building being done by Elite Custom Builders. Recently, the exterior walls of the building have been going up.

 

On Tuesday, REA acquired the permit for an interior buildout. The permit total was for $827,000.

 

“The design is by the Thrasher Group and Allegheny Design Services out of Morgantown,” said Kerr.

 

Work is also taking place on the new Clear Mountain Bank building. The building will be situated across from the White Oaks Retail Plaza I building, which is fully occupied, and directly across from Retail Plaza II. Retail Plaza II is nearing a completion and will house a Starbucks as its anchor store and will offer at least two more additional store fronts.

 

Along with this those two projects and the REA, work is progressing rapidly on the Ten Mile Oil and Gas building at the site. In February, the company obtained a $1.8 million permits to begin work and since that time work has been progressing at a rapid pace.

 

“Already we’ve had a tremendous year with projects taking place throughout the city. If this next one moves ahead, we could be looking at some record numbers for construction outside of the year that United Hospital Center filed for their permit,” said Kerr. “The good news is that there could be more as the year isn’t yet half over.

 

“This is all good news for Bridgeport and White Oaks is booming right now,” she continued. “The even better news is that the four projects already underway should be completed by the end of the year and you’re getting close to seeing a completed footprint on the first phase of White Oaks. We’re hopeful there’s more to come and all the indicators point to that being the case.”