Bridgeport approves Downtown SR173 Revitalization Plan

With the help of SCJ Alliance Consulting Services of Spokane Bridgeport’s seven-member Revitalization Committee comprised of Mayor Janet Conklin, Planning Commission Chairman Leslie Robb, City Planner Kurt Danison, Clerk/Treasurer Judy Brown, Councilman Mike Bjornstad, and planning commission members Dan Peterson, and Ryan Allstot have been working on the project for the past several years.

The plan incorporates many of the goals and policies of the Bridgeport Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2016 and targets that portion of State Route 173 that that passes through the city’s downtown corridor. Those goals include:

● Increase the number of visitors to the community.

● Pursue Downtown Revitalization efforts.

● Present a thriving active community by enhancing the aesthetic quality of the city.

The Action Plan included in the 89-page report lists recommendations to:

● Enhance public spaces.

● Partner with businesses.

● Build on the city’s culture and heritage.

● Activate people and places.

● Create a supportive policy framework.

The document in its entirety can be read under the Revitalization Plan tab at the website bridgeportwashington.net.

In other business Conklin gave her approval to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that provides the hatchery trout for the city’s annual Hooked On Kids Fishing Derby held during the summer on Free Fishing Weekend. WDFW contacted the mayor to inquire whether they should set aside the allotment of fish this year.

“I thought it was important to do something for the kids this year, so I went ahead and agreed to it,” Conklin said.

The mayor said she hopes that the outdoor event will allow social distancing and other COVID mandates – should they still be in effect - to be more easily observed while the kids are benefiting from the fresh air.

The city also approved a consultant agreement for the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for further work on the Foster Creek Avenue project.

While they were in the resolution-approving mood council members gave their O.K. for consulting engineers Gray & Osborne to complete an Environmental Report Contract on the city’s second water reservoir as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

An $11,200 grant from the Department of Ecology will cover the costs for Danison and the planning commission to update the city’s Shoreline Master Program that must be completed by the end of June. Danison said Douglas County will provide a copy of its updated program that the city can consult for its own uses.