Perhaps Bridgeport's Most Iconic Structure is in Midst of Six-Figure Plus Upgrade as Key Phase Nears End
By Jeff Toquinto on May 07, 2025
A project to improve one of the City of Bridgeport’s most iconic structures is moving ahead and a key part of it could be done by the end of this week.
Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth said Tuesday that a six-figure-plus project to replace the windows and doors at the Benedum Civic Center is moving ahead nicely. It is a project that received Council approval March 11.
“I would say, at this point, the windows are 75 percent installed, and we have several doors that we’ll be replacing too,” said Shuttleworth. “The windows should be done by the end of this week, but the doors we are replacing are going to take a while longer.”
The reason has nothing to do with the contractor taking their time. Rather, Shuttleworth said due to the doors being replaced needing to be produced to meet specific dimensions from the manufacturer that it will take a bit longer.
“Due to them needing to be custom fit doors as opposed to a standard storefront door, there’s a long lead time to get them from the manufacturer,” said Shuttleworth. “Once they’re installed, you’ll have a nice look to the building with the all the windows and the doors that we’re replacing.”
The windows, all 50-plus of them, it is safe to assume were ready to be replaced. Shuttleworth, as well as a contractor, said they are original to the building. The main upgrade done since were the addition of a storm window component over them.
They were installed in 1955 or 1956 … They’re flat glass and they have these little attachment points on both sides and one of the contractors asked if I knew what they were for,” he said. “I found out that was what the old window washers would attach their harness to and hang from the side of the buildings to clean the windows here Those attachments are on every window.”
City Construction Company of Clarksburg is overseeing the project. It has a cost of $116,395 (plus a 10 percent contingency if needed for a total dollar amount available of $128,034.50).
“The new windows are going to be way more energy efficient, with a nice vinyl look, and insulated,” said Shuttleworth. “There almost has to be utility cost improvements we’re anticipating as a result.”
To help with office staff, the office windows that face the front of the building that features Main Street traffic and the occasional train going by, sound proofing is part of the replacement windows there. Shuttleworth said there are six windows that will have that added feature.
Editor's Note: A worker with City Construction is shown elevated to remove and replace windows at the Benedum Civic Center. This is in an area behind the building.
