[mac70]

What are your thoughts about the project? Is it still viable or will it bring Bridgeport to bankruptcy? Should the land be allocated for a different use? There was an article in the connpost recently that recommended the land be used for a new import/export shipping terminal instead of the original mall, condos, office space, restaurants.

[JayCT]

It is a shame that it has taken so long for Steel Point to happen and given the current economy, it looks like it will take a lot longer. I am not sure I agree that this property should become a terminal though. Being located on the water, within walking distance of downtown and the train station and having firect access to I-95 makes it ripe for dense redevelopment. A terminal at the location will not take advantage of these amenities and restrict the public;s access to the waterfront. JMHO, Jay

[Beeker2211]

As of about a month ago, the other stakeholder of the project RCI Marine scaled down the design and essentially eliminated the residences plans. So now Bridgeport has 50+ acres of waterfront with the blocks surrounded by a fence but who knows when ground will break, I haven't seen the new designs yet but I've been following the project for a while. Bridgeport certainly needs something here, and hopefully it'll be a good mix of economic staples and housing otions.

PS Jay, when you talk about a terminal are you refering to a train stop or more heavy loading docks?

~Paz

[seymourct]

Hopefully some of CT's shoreline can some day be revitalized! Maybe CT can take back some of the marine shipping business that currently all goes to NYC and NJ, there must be a way to use our waterways and still not ruin the sound too much. Stevedore (longshoreman) is a good honest work, there would be customs jobs too, inspectors, etc. There is nothing more depressing than seeing yet another EMPTY shopping plaza, and EMPTY apartments. With a lot of the retailers shuttering their doors recently, who can afford to go in??? Never mind who can afford to go shopping or buy a luxury apartment???? Even the millionaires have lost their money to the Ponzi schemes.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Beeker2211

PS Jay, when you talk about a terminal are you refering to a train stop or more heavy loading docks?

~Paz

Neither, the OP mentioned building a shipping terminal on the site. I was referring to that. Jay

[jjbradleynyc]

I think Bridgeport should try its best to build the original planned development. Housing downtown brings more people, more dollars, bustling activity, and eventually growth (increased property values) and safety. That land just sitting there vacant is an eyesore and attracts crime. It also brings down property values tremendously. I don't think a "mall" is viable for that location at all. Especially considering the fact Bridgeport is such a poor city and if a "mall-type" were built, it should be discount stores like Marshall's, Wal Mart, etc.
I strongly favor a design with lower-rise apartment buildings and stores--a maximum of 6 stories. That doesn't loom as large as a massive, out-of-scale 30 story building, and allows for more human interaction on the street level. Also, the stores should be built at the base of these shorter buildings, allowing for a more "downtown" feeling--not a suburban mall. Ugh.
Anyway, it is nothing but good for Bridgeport. It's a shame, I'd like to see the success of Stamford's Harbor complex come to Bridgeport's Steele Point.

[Beeker2211]

Whoops, my bad, thanks Jay. Either way I agree with you, another small cdb would be extremely attractive. But I'm not so sure it should just be a suburban mall on the other hand. I really hope they can work out a way to open another good university or two there (or at least set the infrastructure for it) combined with both commercial, mixed retail, sanely mixed housing, and why not even clean industrial. And while the thought of increased shipping is indeed worthwhile, the port is already having issues booking boats with the Banana people bailing last year and already working nowhere to capacity to my understanding.

~Paz

[brasscitybluenwhite]

I wish the best for Bridgeport and its ambitions. Maybe some of that development will come up my way some day.

[Aeroboi8907]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

I think Bridgeport should try its best to build the original planned development. Housing downtown brings more people, more dollars, bustling activity, and eventually growth (increased property values) and safety. That land just sitting there vacant is an eyesore and attracts crime. It also brings down property values tremendously. I don't think a "mall" is viable for that location at all. Especially considering the fact Bridgeport is such a poor city and if a "mall-type" were built, it should be discount stores like Marshall's, Wal Mart, etc.
I strongly favor a design with lower-rise apartment buildings and stores--a maximum of 6 stories. That doesn't loom as large as a massive, out-of-scale 30 story building, and allows for more human interaction on the street level. Also, the stores should be built at the base of these shorter buildings, allowing for a more "downtown" feeling--not a suburban mall. Ugh.
Anyway, it is nothing but good for Bridgeport. It's a shame, I'd like to see the success of Stamford's Harbor complex come to Bridgeport's Steele Point.

ugh. I think it is sad that you would portray Bridgeport in such a negative light. It boggles my mind as to how people that don't live in BRIDGEPORT have so much to say about not only the people that live here, but would also like a say as to how we develop OUR open space. First off, not everyone in Bridgeport is poor and the "Shopping Center" that would be built is to bring money into Bridgeport from other places, such as Fairfield, Trumbull, Shelton and Stratford. The purpose of developing any area is to attractive NEW money. Therefore, it is not only about what people in Bridgeport can afford, but what they will like to buy. The major opposers to the "shopping complex" would be those in Trumbull, where the Westfield mall is located. They will most certainly lose business.

I am quite young and can remember when Steele Point was a neighborhood. It was where my great grandparents lived before the city decided to steal the entire neighborhood by eminate domain. Therefore this is a touchy subject and would appreciate if people would not make judgements on the basis of a few news stories. Thank you.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Aeroboi8907

It boggles my mind as to how people that don't live in BRIDGEPORT would like a say as to how we develop OUR open space.

It's not so much that people want a say in it, rather we just want something truly meaningful to become of it. You do realize that the funding for this didn't come from Bridgeport's "wallet", right? State taxpayers are understandably leery of money being dispersed for this project in light of past political shenanigans in the city(i.e.: Ganim and Newton).

Originally Posted by Aeroboi8907

First off, not everyone in Bridgeport is poor and the "Shopping Center" that would be built is to bring money into Bridgeport from other places, such as Fairfield, Trumbull, Shelton and Stratford. The major opposers to the "shopping complex" would be those in Trumbull, where the Westfield mall is located. They will most certainly lose business.

I actually think that the reverse would occur. I think Westfield Trumbull would see an increase in business, because those suburbanites would be under the impression that the "undesirables" would hang out at Steel Pointe, rather than Westfield. I'm basing this judgement on past history of what Westfield Trumbull was like when the Crossroads/Hi-Ho Mall was operating.

I do wish the city well, whichever path they eventually take with this parcel.