On Aug. 19, Bridgeport City Council met in special session to pass the first reading of an ordinance that would authorize amendment of bonds relating to financing of the Bridgeport Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex. The purpose, Mayor Andy Lang said, was to set a safety net in place if for any reason the one percent sales tax funding the bonds is eliminated in future years. That way, Lang said, the project will never be a liability to the city’s general fund.

 

Monday night, Council will vote to pass the ordinance on second reading and thereafter delve into the business of considering and approving the construction contract.

 

Low bidder was The Albert M. Higley Company of Cleveland, Ohio. Council will vote to approve the $37,087,000 contract. Once approved and once earth work is completed on the site, construction will likely begin by October, Lang said.

 

Council will consider approving a couple of other contracts, including a $7,250 contract with Rain-Tec, LLC for irrigation control upgrades at Bridgeport Recreation Complex. The other is a $84,650 contract with a one percent contingency of $8,465 - with Underwood General Builders, Inc. Underwood was the sole bidder on the Benedum Civic Center repair project.

 

That repair work, Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth said, includes redoing all front porches of the Civic Center. All of the white fixtures will be replaced, as well as flooring of the upstairs porch. The years have resulted in some rotting and the porches are in need of repair, he said. 

 

"Also, the roofing on the section of porch that covers the entrance will be repaired," he said. "We've had some leaking." 

 

Other new business slated for Monday night include authorizing necessary budget revisions for the above-mentioned projects and adding City Manager Randy Wetmore to the city’s checking accounts.

 

Prior to the business session, Lang and Wetmore will give their reports. To open the meeting, Rev. George Bramble of Bridgeport United Methodist Church will provide the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by City Recorder Hank Murray.

 

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meeting, which begins 7 p.m. at Bridgeport Council Chambers at the municipal building on West Main Street. A 6:30 p.m. work session will precede the regular meeting.

 

Editor's Note: The picture above and video below shows the construction site of the Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex in relation to the existing Bridgeport Recreation Complex ballfields.