More than four years after it was first discussed, the Bridgeport is on the cusp of doing a major demolition project that could provide needed city storage space, additional parking and what should be a better looking view to visitors coming into the city

 

On Monday, a mandatory pre-bid conference was held for contractors interested in handling the demolition of building situated along State Route 131 on property acquired by the city that sits across the roadway from the entrance to the Bridgeport Recreation Complex.

 

Five contractors showed up to the meeting, a city official confirmed. What that means is that it’s likely one of those five will submit a bid to City Manager Kim Haws by 2 p.m. June 4 and work to demolish several structures and do asbestos abatement on many of them located at the site.

 

The property in question was previously owned by the North Central West Virginia Airport, who has been a partner in this process when Haws first approached the Benedum Airport Authority, the airport’s governing body, about the matter in 2014.

 

It appeared to be ready to roll. In August of 2017 an ordinance was adopted to allow the city to purchase 5.5 acres from the Authority. After that, the only matter needing approval was from the FAA due to them having funds involved in the land being sold. The FAA process drug into February of this year where the final cost of acquiring roughly 5.5 acres and the accompanying structures was $264,000.

 

“Even after we acquired the property there were quite a few hurdles to clear. Once we cleared those hurdles the property is ours to do as we please,” said Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang. “The first step we need to take is to demolish the structures that we need to demolish on the property.”:

 

Lang said once that’s done, engineering will take a look and develop a site plan. He said that, surprisingly, most of the property doesn’t sit in the flood plain. The land that does, he said, will be dealt with according to all flood plain regulations.

 

“I can’t tell you exactly what’s going to end up there, but I can tell you what will happen in that area, which is directly across the street from the Recreation Complex. It’s going to look a whole lot better and much more inviting for our residents and visitors,” Lang said.

 

Lang said one of the immediate needs he believes the property will be used for is storage bins. In particular, the bins will house the existing salt used to treat roadways and to have space for excess salt in the event o fa bad winter.

 

“Ideally, you want to get the storage bins out from behind city hall and get the salt in an area where, when it gets a bit corroded and you have to use equipment to loosen it, it becomes and easier task to load,” said Lang. “This will also allow us to buy the product ahead of time and save money in the process.”

 

Lang also said it is very likely consideration will be given for overflow parking. The overflow parking would be needed for the few events each year that fill the lot, such as major cross country events and a few baseball events. It could also be used by the North Central West Virginia Airport is growth continues at a pace they hope to see it continue.

 

“I would hope the demolition could be done by late July, August or by the end of summer to allow for engineering to get us pointed in the right direction starting in the fall,” said Lang. “If all goes well then you could see some work begin by spring of next year.”

 

The process of getting to this point began almost exactly four years to the day. Haws addressed the Authority about the property on May 21, 2014.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Mayor Andy Lang at a recent Bridgeport Development Authority meeting, while NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock stands next to a silo several years ago at the site that is now owned by the city. The silo is one of the structures that will be coming down.