While residential construction has been booming for some time at the Charles Pointe development in Bridgeport, work on the new business or commercial side of things has been a bit slower. That, however, has changed in recent weeks.

 

Earlier this month, work began on a $3.3 million project at the development. For those that access Charles Pointe through the main entrance off of Jerry Dove Drive, it’s hard to miss.

 

Veritas Contracting has started in earnest the work on the new Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitor’s Bureau building. Once completed, the two-story structure will cover 23,000 square feet and sit on roughly two acres.

 

“We’re excited to see this process begin,” said CVB Board of Directors President Drew Pomeroy. “The CVB will anchor the first floor and it will have more of a visitors center feel to it than what we’ve had in the past. We hope that it will serve those individuals coming off the interstate seeking information.”

 

Pomeroy said the building’s design also will allow for a value service business, such as a restaurant on the first floor. He said that business is not secured at this moment, while there will be some additional first floor space available.

 

As for the entire second floor, that space may be already accounted for, Pomeroy said. And he said if it comes to fruition, it’s one that will be exciting for the city and the entire region.

 

“The tenant in question is one we’ve really been seeking to be in our city for five or six years,” said Pomeroy, who also sits on the City of Bridgeport Development Authority board. “We can’t announce it, but we’ve been told they hopefully will announce they’re coming here sometime near the beginning of November.”

 

Just how far along is that process?

 

“The letter of intent is signed with that entity to occupy the space. We have already sent them the first draft of our lease. They sent it back with the changes that were needed to comply with their industry,” said Pomeroy. “We’ve modified the lease and actually sent what we hope is the final lease for their approval (Tuesday).”

 

While Pomeroy is confident that tenant will be coming, he said work continues on several creative ways to fill out space on the first floor. The space, he said, doesn’t necessarily need to become a restaurant.

 

“You could, in theory, combine the space on the first floor not occupied by the CVB for one tenant. At the same time, you could break that space up for more tenants,” said Pomeroy. “We’re actually in talks with a particular business that would serve in a small incubator office setting that would break up that space. That’s only in the discussion phase right now, but that’s some of the ways we’re trying to make sure the space is filled.”

 

Despite the work being only a few weeks along, the footers are already done and work on the hardscape around the building is beginning. Also, some initial laboring will be done in the area where parking will take place so that the contractor has an area to mobilize equipment when the weather turns in the weeks and months ahead.

 

“The steel for the building is set to be delivered the first week of October. Within a few weeks you will see the framing, the elevator share and the staircases,” said Pomeroy. “It’s all starting to come together.”

 

Pomeroy said the building should be complete in early 2017. He said by the start of spring the first occupant, the CVB, should be in the facility.

 

The architect for the project is the Bridgeport-based Thrasher Group. The contractor Veritas, listed above, is based out of Morgantown.