Although no decisions have been made on a future Bridgeport indoor recreational facility, a consultant that specializes in those type of structures will soon be hired. Dustin Vincent, a member of Bridgeport City Council, briefed the governing body and those in attendance at tonight’s Council meeting on the status of the proposed project.

 

Vincent said that a steering committee that consists of Bridgeport city staff and a few Council members, including himself, have been working on a general scope of the project and some terms that will be needed when developing a building. Despite still not knowing what will be included in a potential indoor recreation facility, Vincent said the latest step will begin the process of pointing Council in the right direction.

 

“We advertised for proposals and we received (six) proposals by the October 8 deadline,” said Vincent. “We hope to sit down in the very near future and review those proposals and shortlist the firms we want to interview.”

 

Vincent said the time frame for the interviews will be sooner rather than later. He said the hope is to being the interview process by the end of the month.

 

“Once we choose a consultant, we can get a more definitive scope by gathering public input and looking at resources,” said Vincent. “Our committee hopes to report back to Council in January on where we’re at and have a draft of a report in March and a final report for review in June of 2016,” said Vincent.

 

In the interim, City Manager Kim Haws said part of the requirement in the request for proposals from the consultants was to conduct public meetings. Individuals that would like to see things included or excluded will have a chance to voice their opinions and Vincent and Haws said that input will have an impact.

 

“This is not a close-minded concept,” said Haws.

 

Once the report and recommendations are completed in 2016, funding and other issues will have to be determined before moving forward. However, those involved said this step is key in moving ahead with what will likely be a multi-million dollar endeavor.

 

Another multi-million dollar project got its first step this evening as well. Council accepted the report and recommendation of the Bridgeport Planning Commission to rezone 38 acres from Industrial-1 zoning to Residential-3 zoning along Meadowbrook Road. The land in question is known as the Belcastro farm. Council unanimously approved the first reading of the rezoning ordinance after accepting the report.

 

Community Development Director Randy Spellman said the property was initially being looked at by the oil and gas company Baker Hughes as a storage depot. Spellman addressed Council on the rezoning request this evening that is being done on behalf of the Belcastro family by AB Contracting, which has corporate offices in Point Pleasant, is looking to do a residential housing project consisting of 300 units - none of which would be single-family units.

 

The project moving forward is contingent upon final approval of the rezoning, said Melanie Goode, who is a marketing specialist with AB Contracting. Council will have a second reading – and public hearing – at the Oct. 26 Council meeting. If approved, Goode has said the closing on the deal would be Dec. 1 and that dirt could begin moving “that evening.” Goode did say at the recent Planning Commission meeting that the buildings would be stick built and will feature many upscale features such as granite countertops.

 

In other business, City Council:

 

- Presented a plaque to Lt. Doug Betler in recognition of his National Academy Graduation. Betler, with two decades of experience, was joined by his family in receiving his honor from Police Chief John Walker. Walker said Betler is only the second officer in the department’s history to graduate from the academy – the first is the late Lt. James Hotsinpiller.

 

- Approved a $30,260 labor contract for infield renovations at the baseball fields at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex and two fields at Bridgeport City Park. The work involves laser grading of all of the fields in question and will be done by Playing Surface Solutions. Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith said work should begin in works at the latest.

 

- Sam Kuzbari, Debra L. Ayers, Michael A. Craft, Adam Walker, and Joan Rogers were all sworn in as new Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) members. The VIPS have a strong presence in the community assisting law enforcement at a number of events.

 

- Appointed Fred Satoris to a three-year term to the Bridgeport Development Authority as the labor representative. Bridget Furbee and John Stogran were reappointed to three-year terms on the Bridgeport Development Authority. Stogran is the current president of that board.

 

- Proclaimed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mayor Robert Greer made the presentations on the proclamations.

 

- Greer also discussed the Bridgeport Arts Council. He hopes to get approval for creative marketing that he thinks could raise as much as $50,000 to be utilized for the Arts Council’s activities throughout the summer, which are typically free to the community.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Council member Dustin Vincent talking about the status of the proposed indoor recreation complex during the work session, while Community Development Director Randy Spellman explains the rezoning recommendation of the Planning Commission to Council. Bottom photo shows Mayor Robert Greer administering the oath to the newest Bridgeport VIPS members.