Bridgeport Revitalization Committee pushes forward with park, street, tree sculpture projects

BRIDGEPORT – The Revitalization Committee is dealing with details that attend any major renovation like the Berryman Park upgrade. For instance, a staging area other than the park lawn for contractor equipment to avoid damage to the area that would later need restoration at city expense. Clerk/treasurer Judy Brown told the committee that the public pool parking area will serve that purpose.

Paving materials are under consideration for the access trails. 

“We don’t know if it’s going to be asphalt or concrete,” said Brown. “We will need a bid for asphalt and a bid for concrete.” 

The basketball court resurface will be an overlay of what is already there.

Content details for the new park sign 

Tree Sculpture parking lot

The city is facing a June deadline to spend the grant funds for the tree sculpture parking lot and sidewalk but is still awaiting the design plan. City planner Kurt Danison said that if needed an extension can be arranged to complete that work. Committee member Mike Bjornstad recommended that all efforts be made to meet the funding deadline and only request the extension if necessary. Bjornstad will follow up with Superintendent of Public Works Stuart Dezellem for his latest progress report on the parking lot design element.

Downtown sidewalk renovation

Danison mentioned a new Department of Transportation (DOT) bike/pedestrian program that offers technical assistance for cities working to improve their bike/pedestrian access options.

“It’s all about equity,” said Danison. “There’s a bunch of money in this new program.”

Danison advised the committee to pursue multiple street funding sources including grants through Rural Development and the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB).

Committee Chair Leslie Robb said she found an online site called the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) that offers design schematics for various sidewalk zones. One in particular that Robb cited features four zones:

1. Frontage Zone – Closest to the building that serves as an extension of the nosiness.
2. Pedestrian Through Zone – A space allowing people to walk abreast, push strollers, etc.
3. Street Furniture Curb Zone – For lights, benches, bike racks, tree pits, etc.
4. Enhancement/Buffer Zone – Immediately next to the street for bike lanes, stormwater management, curb extensions, etc.

“I thought it was an interesting way of visualizing the sidewalk,” said Robb. “How wide do you need? If you start thinking of breaking into different zones to a total width of 12 feet, that’s really not that wide.”

Robb also speculated about what type of street/sidewalk/island design would enhance a town square feel.

The committee revisited its Community Revitalization Plan compiled by SCJ Alliance and adopted by the city in January 2021 to discuss sidewalk width ideas in relation to maintenance, delivery, and access functions.

“In my mind the priority for sidewalks would be connecting with the RV parks,” said Bjornstad. “I know I see a lot of people walking right by my house walking in the street. A sidewalk would be so much nicer.”

The Revitalization Committee will next meet at 4 p.m., May 2.

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