During a mid-year Bridgeport Development Authority meeting, Community Development Director Andrea Kerr said with a smile that she’d like to see the city have $100 million in construction activity in 2019.

 

While she admitted that day it was a bit tongue in cheek, as the year wore on and a few additional meetings were held, the total didn’t seem like a joke. In fact, as December neared it seemed a very real possibility.

 

With 2019 now in the books, the verdict is in. And to call coming up short of the goal as bad news may be bad form. After all, when it came to construction activity this past year, it was – except for the year United Hospital Center was built for roughly $500 million – the most construction activity dollars ever.

 

“I would have loved to have hit $100 million. At the same time, the final total is the most ever and a good sign that things are going in the right direction on the economic development front,” said Kerr.

 

With the final numbers tabulated, the City of Bridgeport had $93.5 million in construction activity based on the number of permits issued. That easily surpassed last year’s huge year of $58.7 million in construction activity.

 

“A large part of that total is the $38 million building permit for the indoor recreation complex,” said Kerr. “Still, it counts and helped turn what would have been a solid year into a record year.”

 

Without the recreation complex fee, the total is still at $55.5 million. That total would still be impressive.

 

Kerr said there was likely another record set, but she only has records going back to 2012. This past year, the city issued 991 permits, which was up from last year’s substantial total of 946.

 

“We think it’s the most ever,” said Kerr.

 

The permits generated $344,138. While the number appears to be low based on fees, Kerr pointed out that some entities are exempt from paying fees – such as the city itself. Thus, the $38 million Bridgeport Indoor and Recreation Complex permit did not have a fee attached to it.

“It’s wonderful to see because just when you think when the city had hit its peak we continue to grow and progress and see new things coming in every single day,” said Kerr. “It’s truly amazing.”

 

Kerr boldly went so far as to say $100 million is not out of the question in 2020. However, she thinks the numbers could be within $10 million either way. That, in and of itself, is an impressive bar to set.

 

“It’s not hard for someone to look around and see all of the dirt being moved that started at the end of 2019 and continuing into 2020 to know that there are a couple of large projects happening and taking place this year,” Kerr said. “The more impressive thing is I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface for 2020.”

 

Kerr pointed out that officials with the Menards development at Charles Point Crossing have indicated to her they will begin construction this year. That, she said, should lead to more development at that new area seeing site work being done along Interstate 79 and the Jerry Dove Drive northbound exit.

 

“From what we’ve seen, when a Menards opens, they have many retailers that follow in suit and open near them,” she said. “We look forward to that development.”

 

Kerr said another reason for her confidence is the North Central West Virginia Airport. Officials there have been planning for several massive projects, including a new terminal projects, that could take shop – earth work at the worst – in 2020.

 

“Those two projects alone should produce tens of millions in economic development activity,” she said. “They also lay the groundwork for growth and development in Bridgeport for many years to come.”