[ytlh]

Originally Posted by Stylo

It baffles me that hasn't happened. Those factories right next to the highway would make such good apartments or office buildings. High visibility and could be a good location if it was cleaned up.

They are currently in the middle of a project to tear down the GE plant, which I assume is the largest abandoned factory complex in the city. I have heard rumors that some of the abandoned blocks on Main St. in downtown are also slated for redevelopment but I don't know when/how good that information is (certainly hope it is true!). The current downtown redevelopment has been making a lot of strides since I moved there three years ago, but not uniformly. The downtown newly renovated apartments (of which there are at least four buildings right downtown in the last five years) seem to have filled up well, but I think there have been more challenges in finding corporate tenants and condo buyers. Still a lot of "for lease" signs in the commercial space.

I guess it doesn't surprise me that this kind of change doesn't move super fast in a city with limited means and a lot of issues...

[Dennis Brown]

Bridgeport is pretty blighted and crime infested in a good portion of the city but on a crime level its closer to Mount Vernon N.Y. than it is to Camden N.J which is some next level madness.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by Dennis Brown

Bridgeport is pretty blighted and crime infested in a good portion of the city but on a crime level its closer to Mount Vernon N.Y. than it is to Camden N.J which is some next level madness.

Bridgeport crime is lot highher than Mount Vernon, NY but It less than Camden, NJ


Camden, NJ 1,846 violent per 100,000
Bridgeport,CT around 1,510 violent per 100,000
Mount Vernon, NY 683 violent per 100,000


Same Goes for Hartford and New Haven CT lot higher than Mount Vernon, NY

[Comp625]

Originally Posted by ytlh

They are currently in the middle of a project to tear down the GE plant, which I assume is the largest abandoned factory complex in the city. I have heard rumors that some of the abandoned blocks on Main St. in downtown are also slated for redevelopment but I don't know when/how good that information is (certainly hope it is true!). The current downtown redevelopment has been making a lot of strides since I moved there three years ago, but not uniformly. The downtown newly renovated apartments (of which there are at least four buildings right downtown in the last five years) seem to have filled up well, but I think there have been more challenges in finding corporate tenants and condo buyers. Still a lot of "for lease" signs in the commercial space.

I guess it doesn't surprise me that this kind of change doesn't move super fast in a city with limited means and a lot of issues...

Agreed. It'll take time to convince businesses and residents to move into Bridgeport. A nice building surrounded by blight is not going to attract new tenants (residential or business). But once you get a few well-known businesses in, the adage of "success builds upon success" will come true. Credibility would be built and Bridgeport's image would improve.

Kudos to those earlier who mentioned converting the abandoned factories into urban and chic apartments. Environmental issues aside, other cities have done this successfully. Remember, it takes many years for gentrification to really turn a neighborhood or city around.

- Brooklyn, NY (the DUMBO area and surrounding neighborhoods come to mind)
- Philadelphia, PA (Northern Liberties neighborhood comes to mind)
- Manchester, CT (it's not a "city" per se, but there are a ton of converted factories that are super popular)

There is definitely a "loft movement" of sorts in Bridgeport, as well as various revitalization projects.

Bijou Square (in downtown where the bar "Two Boots" is)
323 Fairfield at Bijou Square
The Lofts of Lafayette (near University of Bridgeport)
Bridgeport Buzz - a website about a collection of apartments and retail space

The potential is there. I think it's only a matter of time that Bridgeport becomes desirable -- especially considering its close proximity to lucrative jobs in lower Fairfield County and Manhattan.

[JayJay718]

I was just watching Abducted:A Carolina White Story it looked like somewhere down south in that movie

[Dmdpt]

on the topic of Bridgeport safety, I'm going to a show at the Harbor Yard Arena and staying at the Holiday in on Main st and Fairfield Ave. Is it safe to walk the few blocks to and from the Arena at night in this area?

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Dmdpt

on the topic of Bridgeport safety, I'm going to a show at the Harbor Yard Arena and staying at the Holiday in on Main st and Fairfield Ave. Is it safe to walk the few blocks to and from the Arena at night in this area?

Ehhh, it's kind of marginal late at night there. It's not highly trafficked and when you go under 95 it's kind of a shady area. Downtown is fine, but I'd be wary doing the walk you describe. Might be worth a few bucks to get a cab. Then again, if there's a ton of people leaving the concert in your same direction, you'll be fine. Is it a big show?

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by Dmdpt

on the topic of Bridgeport safety, I'm going to a show at the Harbor Yard Arena and staying at the Holiday in on Main st and Fairfield Ave. Is it safe to walk the few blocks to and from the Arena at night in this area?

In Morning/Evening hours it safe to walk but night time hours it get very sketchy Downtown Bridgeport is Dead after 7:00 PM. I advise to you by train station way on Water Street to Harbor yard

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by Dmdpt

on the topic of Bridgeport safety, I'm going to a show at the Harbor Yard Arena and staying at the Holiday in on Main st and Fairfield Ave. Is it safe to walk the few blocks to and from the Arena at night in this area?

I'm not really sure there's much to walk to in that area. I've been to the arena before for alumni baskeball games. My friends & would either go to Black Rock or downtown Fairfield if we were looking for a hangout afterwards. But I agree with what Stylo said and I wouldn't walk around there at night.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Dmdpt

on the topic of Bridgeport safety, I'm going to a show at the Harbor Yard Arena and staying at the Holiday in on Main st and Fairfield Ave. Is it safe to walk the few blocks to and from the Arena at night in this area?

I know the Holiday Inn had a shuttle. Check with the hotel on whether they still offer it.