There are more changes coming to Bridgeport’s downtown corridor. And it once again is the result of the city’s Exterior Improvement Grant program.

 

At last week’s Bridgeport Development Authority meeting, the group approved the request of Murray, Queen, & Co. PLLC for yet another upgrade to a downtown building. At the same meeting, a previous request saw the grant paid to the business that had previously applied.

 

“Our goal is to replace the side deck that was put on in the mid-(19)70s by my father. It’s worn,” said Roger Murray of the business situated at 118 East Main Street. “We want to take it off and replace it with a new deck.”

 

That will not be the only thing replaced. A ramp will be replaced, the front stoop will be upgraded and a covering to the front of the building for weather protection will be put in place.

 

According to Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr, the total investment in upgrades for the business will be $16,800. If that is the total amount spent, which will be audited by the city through receipts, Murray’s business will be eligible for $3,360.

 

“This is a great project for the downtown,” said Kerr. “This is another building that has been around forever and probably could use a little refresher.”

 

Murray agreed.

 

“It needs some work,” he said.

 

While it will be getting work, work is complete on another downtown project. The project involved the former C&H Market building on Main Street, which today houses Senior Audiology and apartments upstairs. The building was purchased in December of 2016 by Alghadban, LLC and Hekmit “Hawk” Rajjoub at auction.

 

Since then, he has done more than $100,000 in repairs to the interior and exterior of the building. The company made a request for the grant on recent exterior work that totaled $78,432. Once all the receipts were turned in, the work easily allowed Alghadban, LLC, to receive the maximum $10,000 in grant money.

 

“Everything we looked at was part of the façade improvement,” said Kerr. “As you know, everything that counts has to be visible from the roadway, which still exceeds the amount needed. They did a great job.”

 

Kerr said she did not believe work was done on that building which is located at 134 West Main Street. She said she things a new awning across the front will soon to be added.

 

Since June of 2016, the city has awarded $196,299.82 in exterior improvement (previously facade) grants. The result of those dollars has led to more than $1 million in upgrades to buidings throughout the city, the majority of which are in the downtown corridor.

 

Another grant was also approved for exterior improvements, but it was not part of the downtown area. It was for work done by Conservation Iron, LLC on Thompson Drive. Connect-Bridgeport hopes to have a story on that work in the near future.

 

Contact the city if interested in learning more about the incentive program, which is not limited to the downtown. Finance Director Monica Musgrave said there is a little more than $72,000 currently available in this program.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Roger Murray, while the second photo shows a ramp and deck that will be replaced. Bottom photo shows renovations done on the old C&H Market building by Alghadban, LLC.