During a Thursday meeting of the Bridgeport Development Authority, the status of multiple projects in the city were discussed. And for the most part, the news was good.

 

Projects at Charles Pointe and White Oaks dominated the conversation. Several other projects were also discussed during the meeting that lasted a little more than an hour at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex.

 

Community Development Director Andrea Kerr addressed several of those projects. As far as active projects, one of the biggest involves the expansion of Cubby’s Child Care Center at Charles Pointe, which is a $3.4 million expansion of the existing business.

 

“That is going up quickly. Their concrete floors are poured and done and they’re drywalling the ceilings,” said Kerr. “The electric and plumbing in the walls has started. They’re framing the walls.”

 

As for anything not going smoothly, there was one item.

 

“The metal roof is on back order,” said Kerr. “That will slow them down just a little bit, but it is moving right along.”

 

The most anticipated project at Charles Pointe is the Menards that earth work continues on. Mayor Andy Lang said the city has not heard any progress updates.

 

“We at the city don’t hear anything yes or no,” said Lang when a question was asked regarding progress and potential time frames to start. “… We just haven’t had any communication as to when (Mendards) is going to get started.”

 

Kerr, who said she had reached out to Menards for a status report and has not heard back, said the last discussions she had directly with Menards had the company indicating they had hoped to start April 1. That date has come and gone, and no permit has been filed on what would be a project easily into the seven figures.

 

Lang said the delay could be related to COVID. He said the Menards in Parkersburg was set back nearly nine months due to COVID.

 

“Maybe that’s the reason,” said Lang.

 

A project announced by officials at White Oaks in February involving the arrival of a fast-food chain is moving ahead. Kerr said that Wendy’s has officially filed their building permit.

 

“They have obtained their permit and should be starting soon … They just got their permit last week,” said Kerr.

 

The permit approaches a near three-quarter of a million-dollar investment in the city. Kerr said the permit was for $703,000.

 

Another project that has been discussed for years is the new Audi and Volkswagen dealership being put in place by Martin Automotive Group on Lodgeville Road. Kerr said the interior walls are being framed and the contractor is dry walling the sales area.

 

“If anyone has been by that area on Lodgeville they’ve seen the big pile of rock, debris and dirt. That is the storm detention area in the parking lot that they’re working on,” said Kerr.

 

The Bridge Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex was also brought up. Kerr said construction is hoped to be completed by May 7, or in the general vicinity of that date as well as allowing for use and occupancy. Right now, she said, the hope is for a grand opening in June.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows work taking place at Cubby's, while earth work continues this week for what is anticipated to be the future site of Menards. Bottom photo shows the Development Authority at Thursday's meeting.