ToquiNotes: Is Mall Expanding? Barnetts Run Road Extension? Earth-Moving Project Question Answered
By Jeff Toquinto on February 22, 2025 from ToquiNotes
It is partially hidden in plain sight. But those who have seen the work have asked for months just what is taking place on the land that runs between Mountaineer Honda along Barnetts Run Road all the way to the top of where the Meadowbrook Mall property begins.
I first noticed months ago, as did several others. There was a large amount of earth being moved. From the top of the hillside to the valley beneath it. As of last week, there was still earth-moving equipment in place.
The questions asked me were about a possible expansion of the mall, which years ago would have seen like an off-the-wall inquiry. Some 
wondered if the mall was building a second exit and entrance point. Others thought that perhaps it had to do with the long talked about widening of Barnetts Run Road from Johnson Avenue to Jerry Dove Drive. Some wondered if it the work was making way for a new retail facility since the property, if properly lit up, would certainly have an audience of tens of thousands daily driving by on I-79.
wondered if the mall was building a second exit and entrance point. Others thought that perhaps it had to do with the long talked about widening of Barnetts Run Road from Johnson Avenue to Jerry Dove Drive. Some wondered if it the work was making way for a new retail facility since the property, if properly lit up, would certainly have an audience of tens of thousands daily driving by on I-79.
I did not have an answer even though I immediately inquired with a City of Bridgeport employee who, I believe, was mistaken in the area I described, or I described the area poorly. The answer was that the property was not within the city limits.
That, of course, meant the property would be under the guise of the Harrison County Commission. After a few inquiries there, I got some traction – even if it was not the traction I wanted.
Harrison County Administrator Laura Pysz, the former Bridgeport Emergency Management Director, said she would find out for me. A brief time later, she came back with the answer. Actually, she came back with a need to go in a new direction.
Pysz told me the land in question was definitely within the municipal limits of Bridgeport. Then, I did what I should have done from the beginning. I contacted Bridgeport Director of Public Information Andrea Kerr, and she squared me away immediately.
The property in question had a grading permit of $20,000 issued on Oct. 30. The permit was issued to Lane Pipeline Construction, and the name sounded familiar.
Going back to Dec. 6, 2021, Lane Pipeline went before the Bridgeport Planning Commission seeking a rezoning for the land being graded – 25.84 acres to be exact. The request would rezone the property from Agricultural Zoning (A1) to Industrial Zoning (I1).
Initially, the plan was for Lane Pipeline to build a warehouse facility and a corporate headquarters on property abutting Meadowbrook Mall on Barnetts Run Road. As the process moved forward, Planning Commission members determined that a Business-2 zone, which allows for large-scale commercial business, would suffice.
The Commission forwarded a recommendation to approve the rezoning to Council. On Jan. 10, 2021, it was approved.
For nearly four years, nothing happened. Then, the earth-moving began in recent months and so did the inquiries. Although I assumed the grading was being done to set the stage or a new Lane Pipeline warehouse and corporate headquarters, I figured with so much time elapsed it would be best to check.
As it turned out, it was the right thing to do. After a few unsuccessful attempts, Lane Pipeline’s Christie Rogers’ kindness and promise to 
get me information from ownership came through.
get me information from ownership came through.
Here is what Lynn Lane, one of the owners and the chief financial officer, said about the property.
“Lane Pipeline Construction recently acquired a prime raw property, aimed at developing the property into a space designed to attract businesses looking to build, relocate or establish themselves in the Harrison County, Bridgeport area,” said Lane. “While development is still in the early stages, the vision for the site is clear: to transform it into a prime location for businesses seeking a growing and vibrant community.
“The goal is to create a space that will support local or relocating businesses, driving future growth and job creation,” she continued. “The property will be listed for sale soon, offering a unique opportunity for businesses to secure a location in this growing community.”
It is not the sexy answer some folks may have been looking for. Nor does the answer contain the definitive future plans on what will be there. However, it is an answer to the initial question.
The next question is obvious: what will end up on the property? It is anyone’s guess, but future development within the city limits is almost always good news.
Editor's Note: Photos show some of the earth being moved over the last several months.
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