A rare demolition project will be taking place in Bridgeport, but it’s more to potentially set the stage for future business as opposed to removing a condemned structure.
During Monday’s Bridgeport Development Authority meeting, Community Development Director Andrea Kerr went over a façade improvement grant application involving E&C Properties and organizer Jason Underwood. The improvement involves the actual demolition of a structure at 422 E. Main Street.
If the last name in that area sounds familiar it should. Underwood not only has his business – Underwood General Builders – in the relatively new structure situated on East Main Street, it was his business that built the structure. The building is home also to the Law Office of Sarah Nealis Bohan and Peak Wealth Management.
The demolition will come at a cost of $16,000, according to Kerr. If completed, Underwood would receive $3,200.
So, what is coming?
That, right now, is an unknown. What is known is that the demolition, if the incentive grant application is approved by Bridgeport City Council at its May 9 meeting, could begin next week.
“I’m ready to go. Everything is done with environmental studies and all the processes needed, including having all the utilities unhooked,” said Underwood. “I’ll get the permit as soon as I can and could see us easily starting next week.”
Underwood will use his own company’s equipment to tear the structure down. Wolfe’s Excavating will be hauling the material away.
“I’ve got some different ideas, but I will build something and back up the new building to line up with my existing building and continue the parking to get the structures in line,” said Underwood.
As for the ideas, Underwood said he believes what will happen is that a two-story structure will be built with the basement all being at Street level on Williams Avenue that goes just off of Main Street on what will be a corner lot. He said a structure such as that would lend itself to a commercial use upstairs with potential apartments downstairs.
“I could see using the bottom for handicap accessible apartments,” he said. “The top would then go into a commercial setting because you want to take advantage of the zoning that is in place. At the same time, I’m not 100 percent of what will go there. I just know something will.”
Underwood said he will not build anything until a lease, or leases, are in place. He said it will not be a spec building.
While the building to be demolished is not condemned, Underwood said the exterior needed new porches, a new roof, gutters and more. The inside needed a new kitchen and a lot of work as well.
“I wasn’t going to put $50,000 or $60,000 into it and not be able to have it be ready for potential commercial uses,” he said. “Demolition makes the most sense.”
Also on Monday, long-time BDA President John Stogran accepted another term as the group’s president. The other officers will also remain in place with Drew Pomeroy again assuming the vice president’s post.
More from Monday’s Bridgeport Development Authority meeting in the days ahead.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Andrea Kerr talking over projects with the Development Authority, while the home to be demolished is shown after that. BDA President John Stogran and Vice President Drew Pomeroy are shown in the third and fourth photos, respectively, after assuming roles once again for 2022.
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