Development Authority Recommendation Gets Council Okay as Downtown Property Preps for Makeover
By Jeff Toquinto on June 10, 2025
Bridgeport’s downtown corridor will soon see one of its oldest buildings get a bit of a makeover.
On Monday, Bridgeport City Council approved the recommendation of the Bridgeport Development Authority for an Exterior Improvement Incentive for J5, LLC., located at 350 East Main Street.
It was one of several items on last night’s agenda.
The building in question is one that saw its main occupant recently close shop. Joseph Michael Hair Replacement Systems (also housing /Council%206-9-25%20Lang.jpg)
Joseph Michael Hair-Tan & Tone) was the business that Joseph Michael “Joe” Spatafore operated.
Joseph Michael Hair-Tan & Tone) was the business that Joseph Michael “Joe” Spatafore operated.
Spatafore operated the business after acquiring the property Oct. 15, 1967. He announced his retirement almost 57 years to the day in October of 2024.
Prior to that, the main building and the buildings surrounding it housed the former Roth Motel. The motel was a legendary old-time business recalled fondly by many in Bridgeport and beyond.
Today, the building has a new business – The Beauty Lab. Adyson Audia is the owner of the salon.
Bridgeport Public Information Officer Andrea Kerr broke down the improvements at the BDA meeting. The improvements are expected to be $10,000. You can read about the BDA meeting HERE.
“The incentive program has been a big success, and it’s been around since before I became mayor eight years ago,” said Mayor Andy Lang. “Just to go down Main Street from Wendy’s all the way out past Oliverio’s (Ristorante) and think about all the businesses that have participated in that and help improve their property and give the city, and in particular the downtown corridor, a clean look.”
Also, last night, Council honored a Bridgeport High School state championship team. During the awards and presentations segment of the meeting, the city’s governing body will honor the Bridgeport High School Stock Market Game team.
BHS was the winning team in the statewide Spring 2025 and Year-Long Stock Market Game™ competition hosted by The SIFMA Foundation./Council%206-9-25%20BHS%20SMG%20Team.jpg)
High schools, middle schools, and elementary schools across West Virginia participated in the contest. Each team achieved the highest portfolio value in the competition and was recognized alongside their teachers and schools. Bridgeport came out on top and will be honored by Council.
Read about their title HERE.
As for other matters on the agenda, only one item on the agenda involved finances and it falls under the new business section of the meeting. Council approved budget revision #10 for the 2024-25 fiscal year that ends July 1.
According to Bridgeport Finance Director Sharon Hinkle, the revision is $152,308. On the revenue side, the biggest item was an increase in building permit fees as the city earned $100,000 more than budgeted.
On the expenditure side, the biggest item involved fire department salaries for a total of $135,000. The expense, according to Hinkle, is /Council%206-9-25%20Alzheimer's.jpg)
that salaries of staff are higher due to changes in state code and overtime.
that salaries of staff are higher due to changes in state code and overtime.
Two other items under new business involved appointments to a couple of city boards. The first is the reappointment of Doug Marquette to the Bridgeport Development Authority for a three-year term that would conclude May 31, 2028. The second involved the appointment of Marrissa Ashburn to the Bridgeport Planning Commission. Her term will expire Oct. 31, 2027. Both were approved.
The BHS team was not the only item under awards and presentation. Council read a proclamation for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in Bridgeport. Members receiving the proclamation said that 1,400 people in Harrison County and 35,000 statewide have Alzheimer's.
City Clerk Lauren Rogers briefed Council on early voting numbers. She also reminded those on hand the polls opened today at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m. You can read about the numbers HERE.
Invocation was given by Father Walt Jagela of All Saints Catholic Church.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Mayor Andy Lang who is shown in the second and third photos on the far right. He is shown in the second photo with the state championship Bridgeport High School Stock Market Game team. In the bottom photo, he is shown after presenting a proclamation for Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.
