Bridgeport eyes federal funding for streets and sidewalks amid Berryman Park renovation delays

BRIDGEPORT – The Berryman Park renovation and a federal funding opportunity for street and sidewalk projects were among the principal topics on the Revitalization Committee meeting agenda last Thursday, April 4.

The state has issued new guidelines in some of its documents this year including those of the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), the funding agency for the renovation of Berryman Park. Owing to this new development the city attorney wants to make sure the wording in the city’s insurance policy is line with that of the new state paperwork.

“Usually, it’s been boilerplate at this point,” said clerk/treasurer Judy Brown.

The temporary document kink may delay work on the park in the meantime. Request for contractor bids remains to be done and once the low bidder is selected the city council will need to approve the contract.

Superintendent of Public Works Stuart Dezellem said site work for the park bathroom can be prioritized but a scheduled May 20 delivery of the precast bathroom by CXT of Spokane will be pushed back because the cite will not be ready.

“Everything else has been delivered,” said Dezellem of the remaining park equipment that arrived in a 53-foot dry van, He added that the turf producer also sent him an email requesting a delivery date for that component.

Street funds possible

Dezellem attended the Douglas County Transportation Council meeting of small city mayors on behalf of Bridgeport Mayor Sergio Orozco. Dezellem mentioned that it has been a long time since Bridgeport has received any federal funding for Foster Creek Avenue phase three.

Dezellem was advised that the next the next biennial call for project funding is February 2025

“What made the whole conversation interesting is there are guidelines that require them to spend that money urban or rural,” said Dezellem. “An analysis of their spending shows they have been heavy urban.”

That means cities like Wenatchee and East Wenatchee have been getting all the money, said Dezellem. The board will be advised that to avoid a possible audit it needs to shift to more rural funding.

“That means we’ve got a good shot at getting funding,” Dezellem said.

To qualify the city needs to determine the extent of the project it wants to do and to arrive at a dollar figure to do it. The request can be for planning or construction dollars and for sidewalks as well as streets.

Committee Chair Leslie Robb asked how the city can arrive at the dollar amount.

Dezellem said that city engineer Gray & Osborne who completes and submits the city’s Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) applications is familiar enough with the city’s needs to provide the requested dollar estimates.

“It doesn’t have to be as bid-ready number,” said Dezellem. “Just an idea of what we want.”

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or, michael@ward.media