Recently, Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth assured the community that even with the multi-million dollar Indoor Recreation Complex being built that other projects – of all sizes and costs – would continue.

 

A quick glance at the property shows Shuttleworth wasn’t providing lip service when he told that to members of Bridgeport City Council during a recent meeting.

 

Thousands of dollars are being spent to address a problem at the Benedum Civic Center, which still remains one of the most heavily utilized city-owned buildings. Earlier this month, work began to replace a large section of sidewalk.

 

The sidewalk in question is on the east side of the Civic Center, facing the Bridgeport Dairy Queen. After years of watching it begin to fail, the Parks and Recreation Department acted on the matter.

 

“Over the years we’ve had some settling issues with the sidewalk itself and it created some potential tripping hazards as a result,” said Shuttleworth. “That, and some other issues with the sidewalk, led us to decide to replace it.”

 

The replacement began with P&R staff being joined by the Bridgeport Public Works Department to remove the old sidewalk. After that, the contractors that won the bid (only two bids were received) was notified and work should begin this Monday in terms of the installation of the new sidewalk.

 

“They’re going to repour all of the concrete and redo the steps on that side of the Civic Center,” said Shuttleworth. “Basically, they’re going to redo everything.”

 

The everything includes rerouting the drainage that currently empties into the side parking lot. That will be routed into existing drains near the back of the building. Also, Shuttleworth said new rails will be installed to give the new sidewalk a complete makeover. It's part of ongoing renovations to the building that Shuttleworth said will continue throughout the year and into the next several years.

 

Findley Excavating is the contractor. Shuttleworth said they had a low bid of $11,189. Funding to handle the work is from a capital improvements line item, the P&R director said.
 

Editor's Note: P&R Director Joe Shuttleworth points to part of the area where the sidewalk is being replaced and where settling had occurred at the top. Below, the area is marked off to assure the public's safety.