Wow, how time flies!

We are very lucky to have a little more time to tackle this endeavor, as these past few months have gone by in a blur. First there was a great conversation with the CT economic development office, and then an incredible public debut of the Manresa Wilds design plan (check it out if you haven't heard of it, it's quite inspiring). 

TL;DR: 

• Tomorrow is the first NRZ meeting that Bridgeport Station Development will call into (Chad & David) since the huge success at the February meeting
  
  • Join in person at Bauer Hall at University of Bridgeport at 6PM (82 Marina Park Circle, go through the "back" door away from the street)
  • Or join online with Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87987391733
• At this stage, we really need public pressure to funnel directly into decision makers' offices. That means make calls and send emails! See a list of suggested people to call below. 

Note: the NRZ conversation tomorrow will be centered on Resilient Bridgeport, the project for flood and storm resiliency in the South End. This will have implications on when and how the smokestack could be demolished. We can bring up questions about the smokestack, but should allow the meeting to generally stay on-topic.

Continued public engagement is extremely important. Attendance matters, but direct outreach to elected officials and decision makers matters even more. Respectful emails and phone calls help demonstrate that this issue has real community interest behind it and that people care deeply about the future identity of Bridgeport’s waterfront.

If you contact officials, it is most helpful to briefly explain:
• whether you support preservation or demolition,
• why the waterfront and smokestack matter to you,
• and why community involvement in the planning process is important.

State & Local Officials:

* State Rep. Christopher Rosario
    * Deputy Speaker of the House & Chair of the Bridgeport Legislative Delegation
    * (860) 240-8585
* State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston
    * Vice Chair of the Housing Committee
    * Represents Bridgeport/Stratford
    * (860) 240-0591
* Aidee Nieves
    * President, Bridgeport City Council
    * (203) 368-8569
* Eneida Martinez
    * Bridgeport City Council Member
    * (475) 422-2886
* State Rep. Antonio Felipe
    * Represents portions of the South End & Downtown
    * (860) 240-8585
* State Rep. Marcus Brown
    * Represents the 127th District
    * (860) 240-8585
* State Rep. Steve Stafstrom
    * Represents the 129th District
    * (860) 240-8585
* State Rep. Fred Gee
    * Represents the 126th District
    * (860) 240-8585

As always, thank you to everyone who has attended meetings, spoken with neighbors, shared memories, researched possibilities, or simply taken the time to care about the future of this site. Regardless of where people stand on preservation versus demolition, it is clear that the smokestack and waterfront carry deep meaning for many residents across Bridgeport and beyond.

We hope to see you tomorrow evening.

Best,

Harrison Gordon

P.S. Another inspiring precedent: San Francisco’s Potrero Power Station redevelopment. It is a great example of how former industrial infrastructure can become an anchor for housing, public space, waterfront access, and placemaking rather than simply being erased. See more beautiful renderings here.