Council holds public hearing on Golden Hill Street land-development agreement amid resident objections

The Bridgeport City Council opened a public hearing on May 18 for a proposed resolution authorizing execution of a land-development agreement (LDA) with the Douglas Allen Group for 157 and 171 Golden Hill Street.

Resident Maria Pereira testified in opposition, raising several specific concerns: she said the developer’s LLC was formed in December 2023 and had not filed required 2025 and 2026 annual reports, questioned the accuracy and direction of recent property valuations (asserting large percent declines or implausible increases over decades), and expressed worry that taxpayers would lose value if the city sold two parcels for $250,000 to support an eight-story complex proposed to contain roughly 74 one-bedroom units with a 20% affordable set-aside tied to Fairfield County AMI rather than a Bridgeport index.

Councilman George Cruz (131st District) and Councilwoman Denise Taylor Moy defended the proposal in remarks from their seats. Cruz said the parcel has been vacant for years, that the developer is a local-born businessman and that the project had been discussed with district council members and city planning staff; he asked opponents to take concerns to committee rather than urge denial during the public hearing. Denise Taylor Moy said the parcel had been put out to bid and she and colleagues had met multiple times with the proposer and city planning staff; she described the development as one element of the city’s broader need for housing and tax base improvements.

The mayor closed the public hearing after multiple speakers presented for and against the LDA. No formal vote on the LDA was recorded that night; the matter was left for committee consideration and further staff review. Council members and the planning office are expected to review the developer’s filings, the proposed renderings and any requested financial or compliance materials before the council takes final action.