Work is going full swing on a project approved by Bridgeport City Council in August that will replace part of a city facility that has been in place for 65 years.

 

Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth said that work is progressing nicely on the full roof replacement at the Benedum Civic Center. The cost to replace the roof is $211,800 and the 10 percent contingency that was also approved in August means there is $232,980 to finish the work.

 

“The contractor is moving right along. For the most part they’ve had wonderful weather to work in,” he said. “It looks and the side facing the pool is pretty much finished.”

 

One benefit of the project, said Shuttleworth, is that the contractor doing the work is local. Not only is the contractor local, but the office of Underwood General Builders is just a few blocks away on Main Street.

 

“They’ve been wonderful to work with and we worked with them last year on the face of the Civic Center where we replaced all of the porches,” said Shuttleworth. “They did a phenomenal job.”

 

With the progress has come some inconvenience. Visitors to the Civic Center have likely seen, and will continue to see, the main parking lot closed.

 

“With all the tear off of all the tile type of roof it’s a precautionary move. That, along with all of their equipment, we’ve been shutting the parking lot down,” Shuttleworth said.

 

Parking is available at the city lot directly across the street. He also is advising individuals utilizing the Civic Center to be cautious as well as he said the inconvenience should be wrapping up, along with the work, this month.

 

“If the weather stays like it has, they could be done before Thanksgiving. If not, we’re still looking around the week of Thanksgiving,” said Shuttleworth.

 

Editor's Note: Photos show workers from Underwood General Builders at work on the Civic Center roof.