Pair of Eyesores, including Long-Standing Business on Main Street, Gone or in Process of City Demolition
By Jeff Toquinto on July 09, 2024
One of Main Streets older business buildings is almost officially a thing of the past.
During Monday’s Bridgeport City Council meeting, an update of the demolition of the former Mike Kelley Appliance building was given to the city’s governing body. Work started on the demolition yesterday morning and when work ended in the afternoon only two walls and the outside canopy remained.
It was part of a brief discussion during Monday’s meeting. It came up during Interim City Manager and Police Chief Mark Rogers’ report.
Enviroclean, LLC is the contractor for the demolition. They had a winning bid of $28,293.35 and a 10 percent contingency of $2,829 (total of $31,122.35). The bid, however, included demolishing the Mike Kelley building on the corner of Virginia and West Main Street as well as a residential property on Water Street.
“Environclean has met every expectation that I had, and I believe everyone that has been part of that project has had,” said Rogers. “They’ve done a great job, and people need also see the finished project done down on Water Street.”
The Water Street property has already been demolished. The area has been cleared and seeded.
City officials have said they have no definite plans for either piece of property.
While that project is wrapping up, two other projects are now ready to get started following approval of contracts by Council. Together the projects – featuring three contracts – amount to more than $750,000.
Council approved two contracts involving the city’s first outdoor pickleball courts. The half a million-dollar project will be under the direction 
of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation. It will be located in a vacant grassy area previously used for youth soccer between Hinkle and Deegan Lakes. The agenda for the Council meeting described the area Deegan Lake Park.
of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation. It will be located in a vacant grassy area previously used for youth soccer between Hinkle and Deegan Lakes. The agenda for the Council meeting described the area Deegan Lake Park.
The main contract to construct the courts given the okay was for Petrucci Brothers, LLC. The contract to construct the courts is $340,225 with a 10 percent contingency of $34,022 for a total of $374,247.
The second contract involving the pickleball courts that received approval was for Musco Lighting to light the new courts. Musco’s bid was $135,000 with a 10 percent contingency of $13,500 for a total of $148,500.
When finished, there will be eight pickleball courts in place. Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth said earlier he is hopeful for a late summer, early fall opening of the courts.
The second project, and third contract, approved by Council was to redesign the intersection of Philadelphia Avenue and Worthington Drive that will likely get started this month.
The “Worthington Wall Replacement and Intersection Improvement Project” will be done by Parrotta Paving Company, Inc. There were the lowest responsible at $270,865.00 with a 10 percent contingency of $27,086.50 for a total appropriation of $297,951.50.
The project will see the existing retaining wall moved back and restored, as well as part of the property on the corner of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church also utilized to improve the intersection. Administrators for years at Simpson, as well as school board officials, have voiced concerns about the intersection. Substantial development heading out on Worthington Drive has added significant traffic to the intersection.
City Engineer Beth Fox said they anticipate a 45-day project timeline. She also said the bulk of the work potentially impacting traffic will be done prior to the start of school next month.
Council also approved an appointment and a reappointment to a pair of city boards. Frank Sutton was reappointed to the Bridgeport Development Authority for a term of three (3) years from June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2027, while Sidney Mai was appointed to the 
Bridgeport Library Board for a term of five (5) years from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029.
Bridgeport Library Board for a term of five (5) years from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029.
Prior to the official business, former Mayor and long-time member of the Bridgeport Utility Board Joe Timms was honored at the meeting for his past service to the city. More on that in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.
Three individuals spoke to Council during the meeting. Among them was resident Karen Bowman regarding use of fields for parents and others to practice sports with children, and Harrison County Assessor Rocky Romano. Romano was hoping to get the word out about assessment and tax satellite offices around Harrison County beginning Monday. The first one is at the Benedum Civic Center.
Council eventually went into executive session where a trio of items were discussed. Those items included advance construction planning, the city manager’s position, and discussion regarding updates on new and pending litigation.
Pastor Christina Hall of Centerbranch Church gave the invocation. There was no work session.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the demolition contractor hard at work Monday, while the bottom photo shows what's left of the main building that was demolished on Main Street. Second photo is of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth, while Interim City Manager and Police Chief Mark Rogers is shown in the third image.
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