City Council Makes Initial Vote to Acquire Two Pieces of Property in Municipal Limits; Second Vote in June
By Jeff Toquinto on May 28, 2026
Barring a change in thought by the majority of City Council, Bridgeport will be acquiring two pieces of property in June.
Wednesday evening, Council voted on the first reading of ordinances that will make the purchases official. The second reading on both will come at the June 8 meeting of Council.
The first parcel Council agreed to purchase is property owned by Freda Wilson and located on Main Street. The property is situated in the heart of the downtown area that includes the trailer park, which their sign states has been in business since 1947 (78 years) and Ann’s/Council%202026/Council%205-27-26%20Matheny.jpg)
Sounds Familiar, a long-time bar that sits next to Winnie’s, which has been closed.
Sounds Familiar, a long-time bar that sits next to Winnie’s, which has been closed.
The price on that property is $750,000. Council will use one-time business and occupation tax dollars to make the purchase. Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth said the property would be paid for outright and would not impact any existing city services after being questioned on both matters by Mayor Robert Matheny.
Council also signed off on acquiring a three-acre lot that abuts Compton Park. This parcel was looked at by the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation several years ago, but Shuttleworth said the price being asked at that time was “inappropriate.”
This time around, the property came with a $145,000 price tag. It will be paid for by P&R’s 3 percent cut of the city’s hotel-motel tax. Like /Council%202026/Council%2012-1-25%20Trailer%20Park%20Ann's%20Sign.jpg)
the first approval, the property would be paid outright and would not impact any existing city services.
the first approval, the property would be paid outright and would not impact any existing city services.
The downtown property would be utilized for any number of uses. It could provide additional parking, a mini-performance venue, a park area, green space, and more as decisions have yet to be made. The Compton Park property would primarily be utilized for picnic areas, nature-related activities, and trails. Other ideas would also be explored for the property.
Council voted 7-0 to move the Main Street purchase to a second reading, but Chris Kinney voiced his concerns with the purchase as the city is debating on whether to delay an increase in the emergency services fee charged to hotels and motels in the city.
Kinney, in the 6-1 vote on the Compton Park property, was the dissenting vote. He called it “an extreme luxury,” while Council member Don/Council%202026/Council%205-27-26%20Kinney.jpg)
Burton called it a “win-win” acquisition.
Burton called it a “win-win” acquisition.
As for the emergency services fee ordinance Kinney pointed to above, no action was taken on an agenda item to amend it. Representatives from the city’s Best Western, Marriott brands on Platinum Drive, and the Holiday Inn Express all spoke in favor of delaying future increases to the fee for one year.
The ordinance for the fee went into place on July 1, 2025. The fee was applied to hotels, motels, and any lodging facility to cover costs needed for the emergency personnel, the previous Council said. The fee for those staying at area hotels and motels was multi-phased with the first phase of it running to June 30, 2026, which is a charge of $3 per /Council%202026/Council%205-27-26%20Connie%20Johnson.jpg)
night with all fees going to the fire department. If not acted on, it increases to $4.50 (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027) and reaches $6 during the period of July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028.
night with all fees going to the fire department. If not acted on, it increases to $4.50 (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027) and reaches $6 during the period of July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028.
Kinney, who has been opposed to the increase as well as the fee in its entirety, questioned the report on hotel numbers that he said did not match what the representatives of local hotels were saying. While the discussion on the fee was long and detailed, Council member Clayton Rice suggested a work session to discuss the numbers to get a better handle on the matter.
Council will hold a special meeting next week to discuss the matter. A date was not set for that meeting, but hotel officials will be invited to attend.
Kinney said he believes that hotels and motels already pay their share of fire fees through what the businesses are charged and the business and occupation taxes they produce. He asked the city manager to provide a number on the amount of B&O taxes the hotel /Council%202026/Council%205-27-26%20Rice.jpg)
industry in the city produces.
industry in the city produces.
“I don’t think we’re being a very good host,” Kinney said.
Council member Jason Campbell, who was on the previous Council that voted for it, said the thought was that other municipalities would add the fee as well. He noted that increases by surrounding areas have not taken place. Representatives said that still could happen and a year delay could level the playing field when it comes to providing lodging to visitors.
The only item on the agenda that involved actual money being approved was a budget revision for The Bridge. With new fields in place, General Manager Droo Callahan said initially the hope was to put in two part-time workers to help with the management of the new outdoor additions at the facility. However, the revision would instead hire one full-time person, which he and Shuttleworth said should provide stability for a facility that sees high turnover among part-time employees.
Callahan said the revision would be $33,000, which would go toward benefits and other areas that part-time workers would not receive. Council unanimously approved the revision.
Prior to that discussion, Council made a presentation involving Bridgeport High School. BHS Coach Dave Marshall was honored for /Council%202026/Council%205-27-26%20Callahan.jpg)
recently being named the National Federation of High Schools National Coach of the Year. Marshall earned the honor after leading the Indians to the school’s third boys basketball title during the 2024-25 season.
recently being named the National Federation of High Schools National Coach of the Year. Marshall earned the honor after leading the Indians to the school’s third boys basketball title during the 2024-25 season.
BHS swimmer Emma Ahmad was on the agenda to be honored but was not in attendance. Ahmad was a member of the BHS swim team this year and earned a state championship in helping the small squad finish near the top of the Class AAA leaderboard at the state meet in Morgantown.
Council also approved a pair of reappointments to city boards during the business portion of the meeting. The first involved reappointing Jason Myers to the Bridgeport Utility Board for a term of five years to expire on June 30, 2031. The second involved the reappointment of Council member Don Burton to the Bridgeport Development Authority for a term of three years to expire on June 30, 2031.
Council, at the request of Matheny, also observed a moment of silence for former Bridgeport Fire Captain Randy Scott, who passed away Monday. They also heard public comments of concern by resident John Lacaria of Jennifer Lane on E-bikes, as well as heard from Council member Jaclyn Rominger about this weekend’s Associated Businesses of Bridgeport Summer Kickoff event.
The invocation and Pledge of Allegiance was done by Tim Curry, Bridgeport Emergency Services Director.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bridgeport Mayor Robert Matheny, while the sign leading to the Main Street property that could be officially purchased in June is shown in the second photo. In the third image, Council member Chris Kinney makes a point and the fourth image shows Connie Johnson of the Best Western addressing Council. Council member Clayton Rice is shown in the fifth image, while the bottom photo shows General Manager of The Bridge Droo Callahan.
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