It’s roughly three decades old, but Bridgeport’s Meadowbrook Mall keeps re-inventing itself. And this evening, Bridgeport City Manager Kim Haws revealed there are likely some major changes in store for the long-standing retail outlet.
“There’s going to be a decision about mall expansion,” Haws said during a work session prior to tonight’s Bridgeport City Council meeting. “They’re looking at property behind Dick’s (Sporting Goods). We’ll have a little bit better of an idea after a meeting next week.”
Haws said city officials were going to be meeting with the Cafaro Corporation in the days ahead. The Cafaro Corporation is the company that owns the Meadowbrook Mall.
The property in question was also targeted for a rezoning in June. The property is owned by Folio Family, LLC, with Joseph A. Folio as the managing partner. Eventually, that rezoning didn’t take place, but the property is currently zoned Business 2, which is large scale commercial business and would likely meet zoning needs of most mall-related businesses.
Along with the possibility of expansion, Haws also said that the Cafaro Corporation is looking at doing a major upgrade to the existing mall structure. He said roughly “seven or eight years ago” that the Cafaro Corporation put up to $2 million in improvements to the mall.
“The mall is about to get a significant facelift once again,” said Haws.
Here are additional notes from this evening’s City Council meeting:
NOTE: Bridgeport accepted a donation of roughly18.5 acres from the Meadowbrook Industrial Park, LLC that was appraised at $1.4 million. The donation is contingent on the city received a certified plat.
Although most of the land is in a flood plain, and several acres are wetlands, the city believes it will be a huge benefit to other projects in the city. Federal guidelines would allow the city to use this acreage to create additional wetlands to replace wetlands already existing in the city. City Attorney Dean Ramsey called it a “valuable asset.” However, there has been no decision made on the future use of the land.
“It could be used for salt storage bins, but at the very least it could be used as a tradeoff,” Haws said, referring to trading wetlands already in the city for new wetlands on the site to be acquired. The tradeoff, Mayor Jim Christie said, requires 1.5 acres of new wetlands created for every 1 acre of wetlands replaced.
NOTE: While Council appears to be acquiring new property, it appears city officials are having pretty good success of ridding existing property of deer. City Recorder Mario Blount gave a presentation on the city’s urban deer hunt program and described it as a huge success for 2012.
Blount said the program produced deer kills of 29 in 2009, 40 deer in both 2010 and 2011, but jumped up to 107 this year. He added the hunt came with 111 registered hunters and 30 urban deer tracts, which was also up significantly.
“Last year, (Police Chief John Walker and Deputy Chief Randy Hartley) sat down and discussed it. Something had to change if we were only getting 20 to 40 deer … Now, we’re making a big difference,” said Blount.
NOTE: Work will soon progress on upgrades to the bridge on Virginia Avenue near Main Street Station and the Benedum Civic Center tennis courts parking lot. A new pedestrian bridge, lights and other upgrades should be in place by May.
NOTE: A detailed report from Bridgeport City Council member John Wilson was given regarding the Bridgeport Emergency Service Council. Wilson is Council’s representative on that board and discussed the 2012 annual report.
The informative report covered all of the activities of the most recently completed calendar year, including multiple incidents both locally and afar that had an impact on Bridgeport. Wilson also discussed numerous ongoing and pending projects the Council is currently undertaking.
“In emergency services, we don’t get any re dos,” said Wilson.
NOTE: Council reappointed Dustin Vincent to the Zoning Appeals Board. The term is for three years. Council also appointed four new members to the aforementioned Emergency Services Council. The new members include Ken Winkie, Kerry Hess, Amy Romano, and L.J. “Lowell” Maxey.
NOTE: It was learned from Christie that Council member Darrell Bowen recently fell and broke a shoulder blade and ribs during a recent ice storm. He said that Bowen also recently came down with pneumonia and was asking for the community to keep Bowen in their prayers.
NOTE: An ordinance that prohibits tobacco products at all parks and recreational facility within by municipal limits was approved by a 5-1 vote. Council member Melissa Matheny voted against it.
Those violating the ordinance could be issued a citation and summonsed to Municipal Court, Walker said. Those on hand hope that once the public becomes aware of the new ordinance that violations will be negligible.
NOTE: Wilson asked that Council send a letter recognizing Paul and Ellenor Whiteman for celebrating their 83rdwedding anniversary – that’s correct. The couple resides at Bridgeport’s Meadowview Manor.
NOTE: Haws updated Council on the status of the newly formed Drug Task Force. He said the transition is going smoothly.
Click HERE for a story from tonight's meeting on the latest on a baseball stadium at Charles Pointe.
Editor's Note: Pictured top is the back, private road entrance behind Dick's Sporting Goods that may be the site of future mall expansion. Middle photo shows Bridgeport City Attorney Dean Ramsey during this evening's work session, while the bottom photo is off Council member John Wilson who gave the Emergency Services Department's 2012 Annual Report overview.
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