Monday night, Bridgeport City Council approved a $500,000 capital reserve fund budget revision, which combined with another $450,000 appropriated this fiscal year, will be utilized to find substantial renovations to Bridgeport Fire Department’s Main Street station.

 

Council also approved a contract with the Thrasher Group, Inc. for the renovation project. Three firms were being considered for architectural and engineering services for the renovations, which include remodeling the first and second floors of the facility, in addition to adding easier front access to the building and improving training needs. A committee comprised of Bridgeport Fire Chief Phil Hart, Captain Steve Gallo, Community Development Director Randy Spellman, Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith and Bridgeport Safety Manager Matt Looker recommended the Thrasher Group for lowest and best bid. Council unanimously approved.

 

Council also unanimously voted to accept London Court into the City Infrastructure System.

 

“London Court is in the same vicinity as Center Court (off East Philadelphia Avenue) and includes three houses,” said City Clerk Andrea Kerr. “It’s being added to the city’s infrastructure system because 911 is having a hard time locating those houses and delivery trucks are having a hard time delivering packages. The street meets city standards and a letter was sent to all three houses, owners which signed a petition that they wanted to be accepted into the city’s infrastructure.”

 

Two special recognitions were made at Monday night’s meeting. A proclamation was presented to the Bridgeport Red Pee Wee Football Team for capturing the Mountaineer Youth Football Championship and a certificate was presented to Director of Bridgeport Emergency Services Laura Pysz for receiving the John Tagg Memorial Emergency Manager of the Year Award at the West Virginia Emergency Management Council conference held mid-November at Bridgeport Conference Center.

 

“This award is given out to an emergency manager out of 55 counties and three jurisdictions,” Pysz said. “To be nominated was an honor, but to actually win it was a shock and very humbling. I couldn’t do it without the support of my colleagues and especially police and fire. I appreciate you guys so much and you help to make my job easier.”

 

Mention was made of special holiday events which took place last week in the city. Mayor Andy Lang expressed appreciation to city employees for their efforts in lighting up the area of the Main Street corridor.

 

“The whole city and, of course, the Bow String Bridge, looks phenomenal this year and (the Nov. 30) Light Up Night – sponsored by the city and the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport – was also phenomenal,” he said.

 

Despite a rainy night, the turnout was great, as were all the efforts, Lang said. The Bridgeport Christmas Parade to follow Dec. 2 was likewise an exceptional event and the Lions Club Pancake Feed topped off the day’s festivities, he said.

 

“It’s all about family, friends and the community and events like this let everyone come together,” he said.

 

City Manager Kim Haws echoed Lang’s remarks and mentioned that the tent sponsored by the city – and the homemade donuts made inside – was, as always, a popular attraction. Haws also offered a shout out to the ABB.

 

“That group’s leadership began this whole process and have kept it going year to year,” he said. “I appreciate the outstanding job and appreciate their volunteerism.”

 

Council also voted to cancel the upcoming Dec. 25 City Council meeting, moving it up a week to Dec. 18. Haws added that city offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 22, as well as Christmas Day, in observance of the holiday season.

 

Council also approved a contract to purchase additional acreage to be utilized for the proposed new indoor/outdoor recreation complex at Charles Pointe and an overview of that project was provided by Lang and Richard Forren, senior architect at Omni Associates. (Read more about that HERE.)

 

Councilman Bob Greer said it was a red-letter day for the city.

 

“I think this is a milestone with regard to work done over the last several years to make this acquisition of additional property to expand this park and recreation complex to the point – I think Mr. Forren said – will be the best in the state,” Greer said. “I’d say it is one of the best in the region.”

 

This could not have been accomplished, he said, without the help of various city department heads and members of city staff who have worked together and Council members who have traveled to locations including Pittsburgh and Colorado to look at similar facilities.

 

“Sometimes, I think we overlook efforts made to make the city an ideal place to live,” he said.

 

Councilman John Wilson agreed with Greer’s remarks and added to them.

 

“This is not just the city of Bridgeport’s project, but the success of this project depends on so many other businesses in this region,” he said.

 

In that spirit of regional pride, Wilson offered congratulations to the Robert C. Byrd High School cheer squad for capturing its sixth consecutive West Virginia Class AA title in Charleston this past weekend.

 

“Council supports sports and other programs and we realize we’re living in a very special region,” he said.

 

Lang closed the meeting on a somber, but important note, sharing that he and Councilman Lowell Maxey recently attended an opioid crisis public forum in Morgantown, hosted by Congressman David McKinley.

 

There are a lot of good things going on in our area and town, but there are still some things we need to be mindful of and make sure we address, Lang said.

 

See Lang reading and presenting the proclamation to the Bridgeport Red Pee Wee football team in the video below.