At tonight’s Bridgeport City Council meeting, Community Development Director Randy Spellman provided his department’s annual report, verifying that growth in Bridgeport is thriving.

 

Total construction costs last year were about $59 million,” he said. “We’re extremely fortunate that we have over $50 million in construction value annually. For a town of our size, that’s pretty much unheard of.”

 

Spellman said thus far in 2014, 564 building permits have been issued.

 

“Last year we issued around 600 building permits so we’re sort of on pace with that,” he said.

 

Commercial construction for the year is valued at approximately $52.1 million, with some of the larger projects including the Bridgeport Family Chiropractic Center on Philadelphia Avenue ($460,000) which is now open for business, the United Hospital Center Orthopaedic and Spine Center ($14 million) and the Simpson Elementary addition ($2.1 million).

“The biggest construction project in 2014 has been the Dominion building at White Oaks,” Spellman said. “That project, valued at over $20 million, is under roof and interior work continues, as well as massive earth moving.

 

At North Central West Virginia Airport, a $100 million plus project has included a new canopy entry and extended, updated parking. Located in White Oaks, the hotel opened its doors this year after a $7.8 million construction project.

 

Although not a newly constructed building, Dollar General opened its doors in early 2014, filling somewhat of a void after the closing of Food Fresh. Spellman indicated that a grocery store is still very much in demand.

 

On the residential end of development, 17 new housing projects totaling upwards of $5.2 million were initiated in 2014.

 

“Normally, we have 26 to 32 so that is down, but the reason for that is there are hardly any building lots,” Spellman said. “We’re hoping some additional ones open up.”

 

Nine of the 17 new residential construction projects were located at Worthington Village. Average cost per home is $306,000.

 

Spellman also brought Council up to speed with regard to the work of various city boards. The board of zoning appeals held three hearings in 2014 with two of the three projects discussed being denied. Projects shot down were the creation of a residential building lot, smaller than was required by city code, as well as an additional sign request of a tenant in one of the White Oaks plazas, Spellman said. Approved by the zoning appeals board was a request for a residential pool on Ventura Drive that was to set closer to the property line than is required by code.

 

Bridgeport Development Authority has proven to be a beneficial committee with its biggest project of the year being to update the city’s business incentive policy ordinance and helping to streamline grants, loans and other incentive programs offered by the city.

 

“Those ordinances were passed on two readings and are now in place,” Spellman said.

 

The Bridgeport Planning Commission was active in approving plats for construction in the South Hills Subdivision above Deegan Lake.

 

“Five plats have been approved, but there has been no work since then,” Spellman said. “They are awaiting infrastructure and one final plat.”

 

Spellman also updated Council with regard to department personnel.

 

“Our senior code enforcement officer, Fred Burton, left and took the position of public works director back in September and we’ve since hired Paul Veltri as our new code enforcement officer,” he said.

 

Veltri has completed one of five certifications required and is proceeding to complete the remainder of the certifications, Spellman said.

 

Also tonight, Council took action ensuring further economic growth of the city. Martin Automotive Group was approved for the city’s newly revamped business sustainability incentive. The business which purchased Star Volkswagen Audi & Saturn in Clarksburg is relocating to Lodgeville Road near Jenkins Hyundai Subaru. Spellman advised that Martin Automotive Group had met qualifications for the incentive and Council thereafter voted to approve the business for a 90 percent break on business and occupational taxes during the first 12 months of operation and 40 percent for the following two years. Spellman said the new business will no doubt bring plenty of revenue to the city.

 

Included in other business was a public hearing regarding Home Rule ordinances authorizing intergovernmental agreements approved by resolution and procurement of architectural engineering services, approval by resolution to abandon a utility easement in White Oaks and further discussion of noise complaints with regard to the Bridgeport Shooting Range, located on Lodgeville Road and utilized for police department training.

 

Council also approved a capital reserve fund revision for $65,000 with regard to the city’s new Veterans Memorial. Groundbreaking is expected after the first of the year. More detail on these items of business is forthcoming on Connect-Bridgeport, as well as photo coverage of Council’s presentation of a proclamation to the Bridgeport Middle School Danceline for winning the county title.