Bridgeport News: Structure Fire

2024-04-06@5:21pm–#Bridgeport CT– #ctfire– Firefighters were called to a bedroom fire in the 200 block of Vine Street. Witnesses said that everyone made it out safely. The fire marshal was called to investigate the cause of the fire. Eight people were displaced and the Red Cross is attending to their immediate needs.

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Mount Growmore Development Takes Two Steps Forward: City Executes Professional Services Agreement to Bid Out and Contract for Sitework

Planning & Zoning Commission Approves Supportive Zoning Amendment

Bridgeport, CT – On March 25th, the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved a zoning map amendment that supports the mixed-use development of Mount Growmore; a community-led redevelopment in Bridgeport’s East End neighborhood. Conceived by the nonprofit development organization, The East End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (“NRZ”) Market & Café Inc., the Mount Growmore project will create a new hydroponic farm and community wellness campus, along with an educational center and training facility on the 2-acre former brownfield site.

In addition, on March 22nd, Mayor Ganim executed a Professional Services Agreement with AECOM Environmental by which the company will work with the East End NRZ Market and Café, Inc. and the City’s Office of Planning and Economic Development to develop the specific bid documents needed for the installation of the underground utility infrastructure and the final environmental capping.

Mayor Ganim stated, “This is a genuine public-private partnership dedicated to reclaiming the infamous Mt. Trashmore site to reimagine it and redevelop it as a clean community farm and civic center for training, jobs, education, and wellness. We’re doing our part to get the site ready. Once we get the utilities installed and the site raised up, the community will really be able to drive the development of the site to realize its vision. We’re excited about that prospect.”

Mr. Keith Williams, President of the East End NRZ Market & Café Inc., added, “With both the zoning approval and this pre-development commitment from the City, we are laying the groundwork for success. He credited the leadership of Debbie Sims, the Community Champion, for attracting significant resources to the effort, including support from the State government, the federal government, and the local government have all contributed. In fact, the project is being touted in several national forums as a model of community-led development. With ongoing support from partners at Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, the University of Connecticut, US Environmental Protection Agency, and from DEEP we expect not only to build out the Mt. Growmore campus, but to bring about real change along neighboring Johnson’s Creek, to clean it up and create good and healthy public access to water.”

The first phase of the development will focus on the hydroponic gardening facility. While that work is being bid out and constructed, the East End NRZ development team intends to engage the broader community in a planning charette to design the balance of the site as well as the Johnson’s Creek reclamation area. 

“Honest and true community engagement is essential,” noted Ms. Sims. “We’re going to keep reaching out.”

The City’s Office of Planning & Economic Development anticipates finalizing the sitework specifications for bidding in May, with sitework to begin in the summer.

Manhunt With Two Levels of Police Professionalism

2024-04-01@5:55pm–#Bridgeport CT–There was a manhunt at Gregory and Rennell Street for a suspect who struck a state police officer on the highway. Uncertain how the officer was injured but he followed the suspect from exit 27. State Police allowed people to walk in the area they were tracking….until they saw my camera.

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Bridgeport News: Press Conference On Friday’s Shooting

Mayor Joseph Ganim: Stood in front of the building where two men were gunned down and 2 other injured Saturday night and said “This building behind us was illegally operated as an after club after hours club, the social club call it what you want”.

Chief Porter emphasized “As the mayor stated, I think it’s important that we come out and identify and address locations like this. Sometimes these are pop-up where the we have these pop-up after hours in these places, illegal activity and if they breed violence, it’s really important that we come out and we reach out to the community. And ask for the community’s help. So let us know when places like these pop-up, there’s something that we know about, and we constantly are attacking and addressing, but then there’s opportunities and oftentimes. We’re like this one where they’ll just come, they’ll open up and we don’t know so I want to say to the public if they’re establishments like these in your neighborhoods that you’re aware of. Please let us know early so we can address and shutting down as early as possible you”.

Elizabeth Rivera-Rodriguez,  Director of Health and Social Services said “you know, what’s in your neighborhood? We don’t know what we don’t know and so we really rely on you to tell us. What are you seeing what are you hearing? What have you observed? You know, what’s in your neighborhood. We don’t know what we don’t know and so we really rely on you to tell us. What are you seeing what are you hearing?”

Mayor Ganim summarized: “Our chief, our health department, our city, our residents in our neighborhood need to work together collectively, if there’s ever a cry out to residents today to help us in the area of prevention. This is the time this is the place”.

Bridgeport News: 4 Shot- 2 Dead

On March 30, 2024, at approximately 11:15 p.m. Bridgeport Police responded to the intersection of Stratford Avenue and Logan Street on reports of multiple victims struck by gunfire.  Upon arriving in the area, officers located three parties outside 1542 Stratford Avenue suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  During that time, a fourth victim presented at an area hospital; also suffering from gunshot wounds.  The three victims at the scene were promptly transported to area hospitals via AMR ambulance.

Officer discovered and secured a crime scene that includes the property at 1542 Stratford Avenue and the surrounding city streets and sidewalks. 

The Detective Bureau Homicide Squad has responded and taken charge of the investigation.  The Police Department’s Forensic Identification Unit is currently processing the scene and collecting several items of evidence.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Homicide Detective Keith Hanson at 203-581-5243 or utilize the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS.  The preliminary investigation suggests this event is not related to other criminal cases at the Police Department’s Detective Bureau.   

Two of the four victims died early this morning at the hospital.  One has been identified as a 30-year-old Bridgeport man and the other is identified as a 32-year-old Bridgeport man.  Next of kin has been notified.  The Bridgeport Police Department’s thoughts and prayers go out to both victims friends and family.

The remaining two victims are listed in stable condition.  One has been identified as a 34-year-old Bridgeport woman and the other is identified as a 25-year-old Bridgeport man.

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