Working Groups (April): Resources and Partners

The fourth round of working group meetings were hosted from April 28th to 30th. These sessions included presentations and discussions on the core plan elements: People, Housing, and Neighborhood. Working groups build upon the feedback gathered from residents during the engagement process so far, ultimately shaping strategies, projects, and programs.

The goal of these sessions was to identify resources and partners for proposed projects that have been included in the Draft Plan completed in March. Within each of the plan's elements: People, Neighborhood, and Housing, and their respective projects, participants brainstormed on potential leads, partners, and resources available, and in some cases ranked proposed projects and strategies.

The Neighborhood Session was hybrid, hosted by Park City Communities in partnership with the City of Bridgeport and The Hollow NRZ (Neighborhood Revitalization Zone) at the Bridgeport City Hall and online on Zoom. Neighborhood Working Groups co-chair Sonia Montcrieffe welcomed participants; she also serves as the President of the Hollow NRZ. Projects analyzed correspond to key themes such as transportation, parks and open spaces, amenities and services, and sense of belonging and culture.

Both results from the virtual and in-person session reflect the prioritized projects below:

Enhancing the connectivity at Main St underpass
Improving crossing and streetscape at Washington Ave and Pequonnock St
Early Action Activity at The Hollow Plaza
Annual family festival at Lafayette/Nanny Goat Park
The Taste of The Hollow
Branding on Madison Ave and Main St

Other ideas included expanding on-demand transit service in Bridgeport to connect residents to key amenities and services, having a neighborhood health food hub, and creating an online neighborhood resource guide. Among key partners that meeting participants identified are Metro COG, Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, SquashBridge, and other community driven organizations and non-profits.

For the People element, the conversation revolved around education, and health and wellness. The themes corresponding to safety, jobs and income will be reviewed during the next session in June. Co-chair of the People Working Group, Alli Ganim from the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, welcomed participants to this session. Education projects presented included creating accessible and safe spaces for after-school programming such as on-site child care services, programs and activities with transportation options, connecting teenagers with post-grad resources, and having an on-site technology hub for residents. Participants also evaluated health and wellness projects such as establishing on-site programs focused on preventative care for the reported health conditions, peer-to-peer mental health support programs for youth, and establishing a local Farmer’s Market in The Hollow. Some of the partnerships identified include Housatonic College, the Board of Education, Kolbe Cathedral, Bridgeport Rotary, The Hollow NRZ, Bridgeport Transit Authority, Sacred Heart University, The Kennedy Center, Advanced Behavioral Health, Fridgeport, and various grant programs.

The Housing Element discussions focused on housing types, production, homeownership, and affordability. The main design improvements participants would like to see in the redevelopment of The Greene Homes are having open spaces that foster community interaction and different types of housing that can accommodate all kinds of families. There was also a focus on features such as porches, balconies, and vibrant colors. Highlights of the conversation included potential partnerships with community land trusts, banks, city departments, rental assistance programs, and local colleges, as well as sparked light on resources such as funds, homebuyers programs, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Some of the most mentioned were Habitat for Humanity, the City of Bridgeport, Building Neighborhoods Together, and the Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust. During this session, we also had the participation of Councilwoman Eneida Martinez, co-chair of the Housing Working Group, who invited residents to be part of future council meetings.

Working groups sessions have been an important part of the process of developing strategies and the upcoming implementation of projects while connecting different stakeholders and resources. The next steps include Community Meeting #5 at Nanny Goat/Lafayette Park on May 29th, 2025 and two additional Working Groups sessions in June and July leading towards the development of the Final Plan in September.

Presentations of these meetings can be accessed at the following links:

Working Group: Neighborhood

Monday, April 28th, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm

Working Group: People

Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, 10:30-12:00 pm

Working Group: Housing

Wednesday, May 30th, 2025, 2:30-4:00 pm