Jim Helps to Secure $11 Million Grant for Bridgeport

Connecticut Post, Sunday, October 17, 2010

BRIDGEPORT -- The city struck gold on Friday, winning two multimillion-dollar grants from the federal government that could pump life into long-neglected transit and commerce hubs.

The city grabbed an $11 million TIGER grant, reportedly one of the largest federal grants ever to Bridgeport, which will fund infrastructure improvements around Steel Point, preparing the harbor-side expanse for development.

And the city took part of a $3.5 million Sustainable Communities grant, which will benefit the New York City to New Haven corridor and will pay for a feasibility study into a possible new train station on the East Side.

"Our friends in Washington really brought home the bacon," said Mayor Bill Finch, flanked by retiring U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro in the Intermodal Transportation Center on Water Street.

The afternoon news conference was originally planned to announce the winning of the Sustainable Communities grant, which city officials learned of on Thursday night. But on Friday morning, word arrived that Bridgeport also won the TIGER grant. Earlier this week, a city health care outfit, Southwest Community Health Center, received a $5.37 million federal grant.

"This is as good as it gets," said Himes. "Sometimes it feels like progress is slow. But today we're getting a turbo charge."

The TIGER grant, which stands for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, will be matched by an $18 million contribution by Steelpointe Harbor developer Bridgeport Landing LLC.

Michael Stone, that firm's director, said the infrastructure work should get under way by early spring. He said the bulk of the work will entail realigning roads, updating or installing sewer systems and adding sidewalks and bike paths to the area. The project should employ about 500 construction workers, electricians and other laborers, he said.

If the project goes according to plan, Stone added, the first retail stores could open there by late 2012 or early 2013. The current plan for Steelpointe Harbor, as the project is called, includes a mix of housing, stores, hotels, marina slips, offices, restaurants and other features. If built out to its full design, the complex would encompass about 3 million square feet of space.

Word of the grants comes a week after the federal government shut the door on aid to Bridgeport and some neighboring towns for several million dollars in damages suffered in the June 24 tornado. Finch and state officials complained bitterly at the time that the criteria for determining whether a community qualifies for aid shortchanges distressed cities like Bridgeport.

Friday's announcement also has political dimensions. Republicans challenging many House incumbents have questioned the economic effectiveness of grants and earmarks and the wisdom of awarding them at a time of rising federal budget deficits. Republican state Sen. Dan Debicella, who is opposing Himes, has been one of those critics.

For Himes, attracting strong voter support in Bridgeport is critical to his chances of holding his first-term seat.

The $3.5 million Sustainable Communities grant will be shared by New York City, New Rochelle, Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and New Haven. A good deal of that money will be used for regional projects, such as studying the forces that impede affordable housing here, Finch said. But some of the money will come directly to Bridgeport, and this will go toward a feasibility study for a future East Side rail station. Once that is complete, the city can draw up more concrete plans and apply for federal and state funds, he said.

Bridgeport had applied for $20 million from TIGER. But Finch and other city officials seemed surprised to have received anything at all. While the program will dole out $600 million to communities across the country, Dodd said, American towns and cities combined in asking for roughly $2 billion. "So for those city officials involved in grant applications, thank you," Dodd added.

Before the press conference began, the waiting area inside the bus and train terminal grew increasingly crammed. Several residents waiting for buses appeared surprised.

"What's going on?" asked Vanessa Torres, 19, as she inched from the swelling crowd and unplugged an earphone. Informed of the grants, she seemed impressed. "Wow," she said. "This is something special. They're doing something really nice for the city."

Meanwhile, Cheryl Hickenbotham delayed her bus trip to the Milford mall to watch the press conference. "There's been talk about a resurgence of Bridgeport for decades, and nothing's happened," she said. "I'm just wondering, why?"

Then she quieted as Finch approached the microphone.