Speaking to the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim summarized his first 100 days in office and outlined his plan for what he referred to as the coming renaissance for the city ”” Bridgeport”™s “second chance.”
“In less than 100 days we’ve seen significant progress in closing the city’s budget deficit, and improving transparency and efficiency in city government,” Ganim said at the council”™s luncheon on March 3 at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn.
“During this time we have also received the largest single grant the city has ever received, and have joined in announcing the largest private investment in the history of our city,” he said. “But we have so much more work to do.”
Beginning the luncheon by addressing the $20 million deficit the city faces, Ganim said his administration has already saved $3.5 million this fiscal year and through refinancing of the city”™s debt, Bridgeport will reap $10 million in savings over the next five years.
Emphasizing accountability and transparency, Ganim touted the city”™s partnership with the state comptroller”™s office to create an online platform “Open Bridgeport” which will allow citizens to follow the city”™s finances “dollar for dollar.”
The partnership is in addition to Ganim”™s proposed plan to create an Office of Governmental Accountability to oversee and investigate issues of waste, inefficiency, and process within city government.
Ganim highlighted key areas from his recently proposed capital budget containing $178 million in investments over the next five years in buildings, infrastructure and other public improvements including:
- $4.5 million for the reconstruction of Water Street;
- $3 million for sidewalk repairs around the city, including a Sidewalk Renewal program aimed at helping homeowners;
- $17 million for the paving of roadways and bridge repairs;
- “millions of dollars” in streetscapes;
- plans to support the new $147 million Barnum Avenue train station.
Focusing on education, Ganim touted the inclusion of tens of millions of dollars for Bassick, Central, and Harding High Schools in the capital plan as well as the recent renewal of the city”™s long-strained relationship with the University of Bridgeport.
“Working with UB, we intend to prioritize an investment of $10 million to finally create a gateway to the South End,” he said. “This will add to a federal grant of $50 million that the city recently received for this area, which will help with economic development and job growth.  This is the largest single federal grant that Bridgeport has ever received.”
On top of the historic federal grant, Ganim drew attention to the recent private investment of $550 million by PSEG to build a new natural gas power station to replace Bridgeport”™s coal-fired Harbor Station plant ”” the last coal-fired power plant in the state.
Ganim said the plant was possibly the largest private investment in the city”™s history and would contribute in excess of $10 million in tax revenue for the city annually.
Ganim”™s speech was not without some surprises. He used the forum to announce the next phase of for the 2 million-square-foot Steelpointe revitalization project, which will include not only a movie theater and hotel, but also 250 units of waterfront housing to begin construction this year.
Ganim also announced the appointment of A.J. Perez as the city”™s new chief of police as part of an effort by Ganim to rebuild the city”™s police department.
The city recently swore in 29 new officers, the first of three police classes planned for this year for a total of 100 new officers.
Ganim said the police force is also adjusting the use of its resources, focusing on the safety of Bridgeport streets by stepping up traffic enforcement as well as increasing security at the city”™s housing projects.
“The road that lies ahead will not be without turns, impediments, and challenges,” he said. “Despite extraordinary challenges, my administration is looking towards a brighter future for the city that we all love.”
