On March 15 during a Bridgeport Development Authority, a business looking to come into the city applied for a development grant. While that wasn’t unusual, the fact that the business was described as making a $10 million investment at the Charles Pointe development was.

 

Fast forward two months and nothing official has materialized other than Bridgeport City Council approved the grant incentive the Development Authority gave the green light to. However, that doesn’t mean the deal is dead.

 

Instead, a real estate representative for Menards says things are still moving forward. And a City of Bridgeport official said that if – and when – they come it could signal the next new major area of development in Bridgeport.

 

“We’re still working to do our due diligence to finalize the site plan,” said Rodney Wekkin, the real estate representative in question. “It’s our plan to be there and the reason for choosing the area is that there are strong demographics that match what we seek throughout the area. The other thing we notices is that the growth in the Bridgeport area is strong and that’s the type of area where we tend to locate new stores.”

 

For those that think that this may not happen, Wekkin said they are under contract and looking to finalize the deal. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a done deal.

 

“We’re definitely planning on coming here and looking at this area hard. The only site we’re looking at is the one we’ve already looked at. We’ve haven’t looked past it at this point,” said Wekkin.

 

Menards is considered a chain of home improvement business that has locations featured primarily in the Midwestern United States. The privately held company has its home operations in Wisconsin with roughly 300 stores in 14 states.

 

“It’s a little bit different home retailer than a Home Depot or Lowes. We have a lumber yard and accessories, but we carry a lot of different products,” said Wekkin. “Our key aspect is providing the best possible customer service.”

 

So where will the Menards locate? According to Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman, the area in question is at Charles Pointe. And it’s just not any location.

 

“If you looked straight across from the entrance to Charles Pointe across the highway, you’ll see the rock wall. They’re looking a grading that out and making an entry way,” said Spellman. “Once you would get to the top you would turn right and the property in question would be along Interstate 79’s northbound lane. If this moves forward, this will be a huge addition to the development and the city.”

 

Spellman said that land, or pad site, for Menards will be laid out for additional companies. He said the company looks to serve as the anchor for an entire area.

 

“In speaking with their representatives, when they go in there are some businesses that tend to locate close them,” said Spellman. “Right now, they’re kicking around the idea of doing that development or leaving it up to the folks at (Genesis Partners – the developers of Charles Pointe).”

 

As for a percentage of chance they would finalize the deal or a time line, Wekkin said he “didn’t feel comfortable” answering either of those questions. He did, however, say what a new building would entail if – and when – it arrives.

 

“Typically, our structures are 200,000 square feet with 120 employees,” said Wekkin. “Of that total, 30 to 40 would be full time employees. When we’re this far along, we certainly hope it works out and we’ve also met with the city. The city is very supportive in what we’re wanting to do.”

 

Spellman said his office did get to see preliminary site plans, but those were shown by Wekkin when he visited the city as nothing official has been submitted for review. However, he did say earlier concerns about the North Central West Virginia Airport’s FAA tower don’t appear to be an issue.

 

“From what we can tell, it shouldn’t be an impact as this project would avoid that area,” said Spellman. “We’re hopeful that’s no longer a concern.”

 

While Wekkin wouldn’t comment on a time frame, Spellman said the company is pretty specific on when it builds. Because of that, he said if it happens it will likely happen at a certain time.

 

“They have a pretty specific construction schedule. They only start their projects in March,” said Spellman. “We’re hoping they have something ready by March of 2018 and, if not, that could go back to March of 2019. If it comes, you could see a whole lot of development in the near future.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman pointing to the rock wall that will be cut into to allow for entry to the likely site of the new Menards.