Bridgeport council authorizes Front Street pocket park grant application, awards paving contract and approves demolition and FEMA payments

Bridgeport Borough Council on March 11 authorized an application to the Montco 2040 grant program for the Front Street Pocket Park project, approved a notice of award for a 2025 street‑paving contract, and signed off on a series of demolition and FEMA payments.

The council voted to authorize an application to the Montco 2040 program seeking up to $200,000 to build a 10,500‑square‑foot pocket park at the corner of Front and Depot streets on the parcels formerly numbered 1 through 9 Front Street. "This is the same project that we have already applied for funding for...we received $200,000 from [the 2024] block grant funding," said Mr. Truman, a borough staff member, describing prior Community Development Block Grant funding and the new Montco application.

The vote to authorize the application passed after a motion and second; the council did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript beyond the ayes and the chair saying "the motion carries." Councilmember Hiles moved the authorization and Councilmember Gundrum seconded.

In a separate item, the council accepted the notice of award for the 2025 street paving project using 2022 CDBG funds, naming Innovative Construction Services as the contractor for $299,645.94, pending satisfactory review of bonds, insurance and grant conformance to the borough engineer's satisfaction. "This project... consists of Borough Line Road, Baker Alley, Chestnut Alley, Birch Alley, Elmer Ash Alley, a segment of Fifth Street and a couple other spots throughout town," Mr. Truman said. The motion to accept the notice of award passed.

The council also approved a curb cut request at 40 Third West Sixth Street, approving the recommendation made by borough staff (Steve Wanzik was cited in the record as making the recommendation). Councilmember Hiles moved for approval; the motion passed.

On demolition payments, the council authorized payment of a borough‑funded estimate for demolition at 137 West Third Street. The council then approved a FEMA payment (FEMA HMGP) to TD Construction for $18,987.50 as an estimate number 4 for a demolition project. Borough staff explained that the FEMA payment will be the final payment minus a total retainage of $5,000 to ensure grass establishment on the cleared lots when the growing season begins.

All of the above motions were moved, seconded and carried by voice votes recorded on the March 11 meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Approve authorization to apply to Montco 2040 grant program for Front Street Pocket Park (max award noted as $200,000). Mover: Mr. Hiles; second: Ms. Gundrum. Outcome: approved. - Accept notice of award for 2025 street paving project (2022 CDBG) to Innovative Construction Services, $299,645.94, pending bonds/insurance/engineer review. Mover: Ms. Shank; second: Ms. Nolan. Outcome: approved. - Approve curb cut request, 40 Third West Sixth Street. Mover: Mr. Hiles; second: Ms. Hyde. Outcome: approved. - Authorize payment of borough‑funded demolition estimate, 137 West Third Street. Mover: Mr. Hiles; second: Mr. Schenck. Outcome: approved. - Authorize payment (FEMA HMGP) to TD Construction, estimate number 4, $18,987.50 (final payment minus $5,000 retainage). Mover: Mr. Heil; second: Mr. Schenk. Outcome: approved.

Why it matters: The pocket park application continues a multi‑year effort that already has CDBG support, the paving contract addresses backlogged streets, and the demolition and FEMA payments conclude part of post‑hazard cleanup.

The council moved through several routine items without extended debate; staff provided project lists and funding details for each item, and motions passed by voice vote with the chair announcing each motion carried.