The Judicial Branch of the State of Connecticut has initiated a project that will result in a series of improvements to the sub-surface garage at Baldwin Plaza. The project, which begain this week, will result in the closure/excavation of the plaza. The State anticipates that renovations will continue until mid-September 2012. The project will result in the closure/excavation of the plaza. The State and contractor have committed to ensuring the plaza returns to its original condition.

The contractor is now building a fence around the plaza and will likely store project materials on the site. The contractor has assured the City will have controls in place to mitigate noise pollution and dust. Work will take place primarily during the course of the work day.

Monday, May 14^th marks the beginning of the annual What’s Cooking in Bridgeport Event. Restaurants from throughout Bridgeport are participating including almost twenty restaurants within downtown. What’s Cooking begins with Desserts First in the Arcade. What’s Cooking will serve as a great opportunity for downtown to show-off its many culinary delights.

To learn more about What’s Cooking you may visit the official website for the event at http://whatscookingbpt.com/dining/.

I look forward to seeing you downtown!!!

The DSSD is working with the Mayor’s Office to organize a district-wide cleanup on April 22, 2012. All volunteers will meet at McLevy Green to begin the cleanup. This cleanup will coincide with Earth Day Events in downtown . The DSSD is looking for volunteers to assist from 10AM – 1PM that day. Please contact me at moore@brbc.org or Tim Hammill of the Mayor’s Office at Timothy.Hammill@Bridgeportct.gov  for more information regarding the day’s events.

The Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) is excited to welcome the NCAA Men’s Division 1 Hockey Regional Final to Bridgeport this weekend. The DSSD and its partners – the City of Bridgeport, Webster Bank Arena, Fairfield University and Yale University – are hosting four of college hockey’s elite teams. These teams include the Union College Dutchmen, the Michigan State Spartans, UMass-Lowell River Hawks and Miami (OH) University RedHawks.

DSSD hopes you will bring your family and friends to enjoy the games beginning at 3:00PM on Friday afternoon (March 23rd). The Regional Final will occur at 6:30PM on Saturday afternoon (March 24th). 

The DSSD is hosting its first ever Downtown Hockey Party at 4PM prior to the Regional Final. The Downtown Hockey Party will take place underneath the Interstate-95 overpass at the southern tip of Main Street and the Plaza of the Webster Bank Arena. Please bring your family and friends to enjoy music, food, beverages and fun events for kids.

After the games, come to downtown to enjoy our many restaurant and entertainment offerings. Check them out by clicking on the Dining and Calendar links above.

I look forward to seeing you downtown this weekend.

Good morning -

Welcome to the President’s Blog of the Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District. Below you will find an update regarding current and planned projects for downtown Bridgeport.

DSSD has created a preliminary schedule of downtown events for 2012. DSSD will post these events to InfoBridgeport.com shortly.

DSSD is utilizing the City’s Qalert system in order to notify the City of conditions within downtown. DSSD welcomes your comments and observations and will assist you in utilizing the Qalert system.

DSSD is in the preliminary stages of forming a Merchants Association within downtown. During the first half of February, DSSD and staff from the Community Capital Fund will schedule outreach meetings with downtown business owners to identify participants and the mission of the merchants group. If you are interested in participating or learning more please contact me at moore@brbc.org.

The DSSD is working with the Greater Bridgeport Regional Council (GBRC) to identify and map public amenities within downtown. These amenities include signs, tree beds and trash receptacles. Once complete, this information will assist DSSD and the City to coordinate maintenance projects within downtown. DSSD and the GBRC will then work to incorporate this information into the City’s Geospatial Information System (GIS).

The City’s Public Facilities is conducting on-going maintenance including the repair of potholes along targeted streets within downtown including Main Street, John Street, Fairfield Avenue and State Street.

The City Public Facilities Department is nearing the completion of the a public park located on the grounds of City Hall Annex near the vicinity of State and Broad Streets. Work on the park will soon end for the winter. The formal opening of the park will take place in the Spring 2012.

The City will initiate construction on the first phase of the Police Memorial during the second half of January 2012. This first phase will conclude by March 2012 (weather permitting).

The City Public Facilities Department is now finalizing the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. The City will forward this document to the City’s Common Council by the close of January 2012 for final review and approval.

The City’s Public Facilities staff is finalizing the design of new way finding signage and banners in the vicinity of the Bridgeport Ferry Terminal. Public Facilities staff anticipates the installation of the signage by March 31, 2012.

Good afternoon and Happy New Year!

The Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District will produce a regular blog as part of InfoBridgeport.com in order to inform property owners, businesses, residents and stakeholders of projects and events that will impact daily life within downtown.

Wall Street has been closed in order to accommodate a gas line repair. Wall Street will reopen by Tuesday evening (January 3rd).

The City of Bridgeport’s Department of Public Facilities has completed the process to remove leaves from streets within downtown. Public Facilities staff may undertake additional leaf maintenance/removal into the first week of January.

City Public Facilities staff is coordinating additional tree planting within the downtown, specifically Public Facilities staff and SLM Northeast Horticultural Services will plant trees in the vicinity of the on/off ramps for Exits 2 and 3 from the Route 8/25 connector. Public Facilities staff has established a formal system by which property owners may request the City to plant a tree at their location through the Adopt-A-Tree Program. Property owners that wish to participate in the City’s Adopt-A-Tree Program may contact Mr. Steve Hladun at Steve.Hladun@bridgeportct.gov or visit http://www.bridgeportct.gov/ParksRecreation/Pages/AdoptATree.aspx to download the request form.

New park under construction in front of the City Hall Annex on Broad Street.

The City Public Facilities Department is nearing the completion of the a public open space located on the grounds of City Hall Annex near the vicinity of State and Broad Streets. Work on the open space will soon end for the winter. The formal opening of the public space will take place in the Spring 2012.

The City has now completed all paving for the current calendar year. The City has also completed the installation of new handicapped accessible ramps at intersections where paving has taken place.

The City will initiate construction on the first phase of the Police Memorial during the second half of January 2012. This first phase will conclude by March 2012 (weather permitting).

The City Public Facilities Department is now finalizing the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. The City will forward this document to the City’s Common Council by the close of January 2012 for final review and approval. More information can be found on the city of Bridgeport website here: http://www.slideshare.net/royerb1/sasaki-bridgeport-parks-master-plan-final-presentation