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Bridgeport council authorizes application for federal CDBG funds to acquire and demolish 134 West Front Street
Summary
Borough council voted to apply for a Montgomery County‑administered Community Development Block Grant disaster‑relief award to acquire and demolish the building at 134 West Front Street. Staff said acquisition and demolition are packaged together under the grant; public concerns about demolition and insurance were raised.
The Bridgeport Borough Council on June 9 authorized staff to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster‑relief funds to acquire and demolish the property at 134 West Front Street.
Staff said the grant money is federal funding administered at the county level and that the funding stream couples acquisition and demolition in the same award. Mr. Truman described the program and the borough’s strategy to use available county-administered funds to remove hazardous or at‑risk structures and to create public space and parking where appropriate. The motion to apply carried after council discussion.
Why it matters: Borough officials said using county‑administered disaster‑relief funding allows Bridgeport to address properties damaged by past flooding and other hazards without direct general‑fund outlays for acquisition. The staff presentation listed the project among other grant‑funded activities in a multi‑year capital plan.
During public comment, Margaret Kelly asked why demolition must be part of the acquisition grant and whether property insurance should cover demolition costs. Mr. Truman responded that the county’s program as described couples acquisition and demolition and that the county received an allocation of flood‑related funds for municipalities to acquire and demolish properties in impacted areas; he noted an approximate county allocation figure and said he would verify exact amounts. He also explained that if the borough does not use its allocated portion, neighboring municipalities may claim it under the county program.
No formal dollar figure for the borough’s application award was announced at the meeting, and council did not provide a detailed vote tally in the record; the motion carried as recorded by the presiding officer. The staff presentation and public discussion indicated the borough intends to pursue available grant funds and will return with further paperwork or resolutions as required.
The borough’s next regular meeting is scheduled to consider formal adoption actions on work‑session items as needed.
