Bridgeport City Council took action last night which, according to Mayor Mario Blount, ensures long-term successful planning for our city.

 

By a 6-0 vote, conditional approval was given on two separate Memorandums of Understanding between the City and Genesis Partners – one for the acquisition of about 27 acres of land for a Health, Wellness & Recreation Complex and the other for a Conference Facility, both to be located adjacent to the Bridgeport Recreation Complex at Charles Pointe.

 

“What we did last night was agree on some terms with Genesis Partners – which now has to go back to them for their approval because we made some changes,” Blount said. “But basically it got the ball rolling on providing funds for the conference center and providing property for the health and wellness center. The negotiation process has begun.”

 

Last night’s action accomplished positive steps toward fruition of the projects, said Blount, who offered some preliminary plans for funding of the conference center.

 

“What we’re going to do as a city is act through an authority – probably the Bridgeport Development Authority – to give up to a million dollars to use for the conference center and what that will do is give us the land free and clear for the health and wellness center located on 27 plus or minus acres across from the Recreation Complex on Forrester Blvd. at Charles Pointe,” Blount said. “And the CVB (Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau) has agreed to put in $2.5 million in this project and various projects.”

 

Both projects will do great things for our City and Council has been looking at both for some time, Blount said.

 

“It’s not something which just popped up overnight and we decided to act on it,” he said. “It’s been years in the planning up to and including action which took place last night.”

 

The discussion took place in executive session which followed last night’s regularly scheduled meeting. Following discussion, Council went back into regular session to take the vote. Both motions were set into action by Councilor Diana Cole Marra. The vote for both MOUs was 6-0. Recorder, local attorney Robert L. Greer recused himself from the discussion and abstained from voting due to attorney/client privileges.

 

On March 24, Council unanimously passed a memorandum of understanding relating to the Charles Pointe Planned Unit Development for a Health, Wellness & Recreation Complex encompassing 20 acres of property adjacent to Bridgeport Recreation Complex. At that meeting, City Attorney Dean Ramsey explained that the facility, will – among other amenities - consist of a swimming pool and various health and wellness/fitness components. 

 

Council also voted last night to have a fire/police/emergency training center built. Read about it HERE 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured cover/top is Councilor John Wilson, City Manager Kim Haws and City Attorney Dean Ramsey; pictured just above is Mayor Mario Blount.