Plan Adopted in 1996 by Council One of Reasons for City's Ongoing Growth as Document to be Updated
By Jeff Toquinto on February 23, 2024
Back in 1996, the City of Bridgeport instituted its first-ever comprehensive plan under then Mayor Carl Furbee and the first City Manager Carl Furbee, both of whom have passed away. The plan, which serves as a development guidance tool, is utilized by municipalities and counties nationwide to help things grow in an orderly fashion.
Prior to it being adopted in 1996, the primary author of the plan done by Baltimore-based firm Whitney, Bailey, Cox & Magnani, told 
Bridgeport City Council the plan would work if they followed two guidelines beyond following what was inside.
Bridgeport City Council the plan would work if they followed two guidelines beyond following what was inside.
The author, consultant Patrick Ford, said the plan would be useless if adopted at sat on a shelf. He added that the plan would also not work properly if it was not updated on a regular basis, essentially about every five years.
Since 1996, it is safe to say development has been good to the tune of well in excess of $1 billion. Growth has been strong on the commercial and residential front, recreation is still at the forefront, and academics are among the best in the state. All of that has happened for various reasons, but a piece of it is that every Council since the one in place in 1996 has followed the plan and updated it regularly.
The time to update it has come once again.
Bridgeport is advertising to receive consulting services for a comprehensive plan update. They will be accepting proposals in Community Development Director Andrea Kerr’s office until 3 p.m. on Feb. 29.
Mayor Andy Lang, who was mayor during the last update approved in 2019, said the plans are pivotal to success if used correctly.
“A whole lot of big cities do these, and most cities should do them, but they are a little bit expensive to do,” said Lang. “It helps get a third party involved to look at the direction you are going, the direction you should go, a look at trends in housing, trends in workforce, trends in education, and all of those things that have an impact on the way you grow.”
Lang said it’s a “good guideline.” He said the document was even used by United Hospital Center during their construction process and multiple expansions and also is certain it has impacted how The Bridge has proceeded.
“There are guidelines in so many different aspects,” said Lang.
As has been the case going back to the original plan, there will be plenty of opportunities for public input on the way the community would 
like to see things grow. Kerr said there will be public meetings and very likely community surveys done as part of the process. She said more will be known once the consultant is chosen and the process gets started.
like to see things grow. Kerr said there will be public meetings and very likely community surveys done as part of the process. She said more will be known once the consultant is chosen and the process gets started.
“I hope they continue updating this roughly every five years. If not, former Mayor Lang will be here telling them they should,” he ended.
The 2019 update was handled by Compass Point Planning out of Ohio. Wendy Moeller was the lead on the project with the city.
The first comprehensive plan was done by Council members Ruth Allen, Larry Blankenship, Mike Conley, Charles Lindsey and John Westfall along with Mayor Furbee and Weiler. As the updates continue, that group’s vision carries on to this day.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows a part of the cover of the first comprehensive plan, while Mayor Andy Lang is shown in the middle. Bottom photo shows Community Development Director Andrea Kerr going over the 1996 original plan.
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