In Bridgeport, many surprises await

Bridgeport is a diamond in the rough.

Rather than being the redheaded stepchild of old days, investors are beginning to stand up and notice the Park City as a viable profit-making opportunity.

“I”™m not from here,” said Rich DeParle owner of DeParle Motors in Black Rock.

“But I know one thing ”“ the rents are low and the population is here. To me that sounds like a good opportunity.”

I find it quite easy to write about Bridgeport”™s problems, particularly on the political and economic development fronts. However, I am a Bridgeport cheerleader as difficult as that can be sometimes.

There is plenty to do here, believe it or not, and Bridgeport denizens would like nothing better than to share some of the city”™s hidden gems with our friends from throughout Fairfield County.

There is a vibrant arts scene in Bridgeport, featuring a pair of downtown theaters, the Playhouse on the Green and the Downtown Cabaret Theater. There are also numerous galleries, including City Lights Gallery on Markle Court and a newly opened facility at 505 Knowlton Ave. on the east side. The latter is operated by Eileen Walsh, former proprietor of the Black Rock Gallery.

Speaking of Black Rock, that coastal neighborhood is the hub of music activity in the Park City. On any given night, music fans can hear superb local music in such venues as the Acoustic Caf̩, The Neutral Ground and MattyӪs Corner.

The Discovery Museum on upper Park Avenue and downtown”™s Barnum Museum are great spots for family fun. The Discovery Museum is dedicated to science and boasts its own in-house planetarium. Its current exhibit is dedicated to the guitar and has a remarkable display as well as live music. The Barnum features all things P.T. with numerous intriguing displays and a variety of programs.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Kathleen Maher, the museum never stopped programming despite getting whacked during last summer”™s tornado.

Bridgeport is home to Connecticut”™s only zoo, Beardsley Zoo, which is on the upper east side section of the city. This is truly a gem and a showcase for the entire state.

Beardsley Zoo is inside Beardsley Park, which is one of the reasons Park City got its moniker. The beautiful park features acres of green lands and ball fields, and is a great place for a family picnic. Another seminal Bridgeport park is Seaside Park, which was commissioned by P.T. Barnum and designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also lists Central Park and the Emerald Necklace in Boston on his resume. Seaside Park lives up to its name, featuring a beautiful beach that is presided over by an imposing statue of Barnum.

Speaking of Seaside Park, “Gathering of the Vibes,” the Northeast”™s premier summer music festival will be held there from July 21-24.

Of course concerts and other special events are always on tap at The Arena at Harbor Yard. Among some of the shows taking place at the arena recently are Bob Dylan, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Cher.

The arena is also home to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the city”™s entry in the American Hockey League and the top affiliate of the New York Islanders. Next door is The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, home of the Bridgeport Bluefish, a team managed by Fairfield resident and former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Willie Upshaw. The stadium features a beautiful new statue of orator James O”™Rourke, the lone Bridgeport native to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown.

So there are plenty of fun things to do in Bridgeport, despite its troubles. And I didn”™t even get into the many wonderful and varied restaurants that call the Park City home.

Hey, if you don”™t believe me, just take a look at surpriseitsbridgeport.com, a website dedicated to all that”™s happening here. The site is a partnership between the city and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council and is the brainchild of two BRBC member companies, Turbine Boost Inc. of Southport and Bob Abbate Marketing of Bridgeport.

Check out the website. Or better yet, check out Bridgeport.

Rob Sullivan is the publisher and executive editor of the Bridgeport Banner daily website ”“ www.bridgeportbanner.typepad.com ”“ and monthly print edition. He is a special correspondent for the Fairfield County Business Journal covering news and issues in Bridgeport and surrounding communities on the Sound.