1 GRID LAYOUT RIGHT South End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone

CITY OF BRIDGEPORT Strategic Plan

2014

Prepared for the South End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Committee by the City of Bridgeport, Office of Planning and Economic Development, Division of City Planning. 2

Seaside Park

Source: theseasides.com, 2014 3 Acknowledgments

The South End NRZ Planning Committee wishes to extend special appreciation and recognition to the following stakeholders for their participation and contributions in making this planning process a success. Mayor Bill Finch City Council Howard Austin, Sr. Eneida L. Martinez Jack O. Banta Lydia N. Martinez Susan T. Brannelly Mary A. McBride-Lee Alfredo Castillo Thomas C. McCarthy Richard DeJesus Richard M. Paoletto, Jr. Milta I. Feliciano Richard D. Salter, Sr. Robert E. Halstead Patricia Swain James Holloway Denese Taylor-Moye Michelle A. Lyons Enrique Torres Michael J. Marella, Jr. AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia South End NRZ Planning Committee Mack Allen Deidre Perry Colleen Arthur-Riddick Effie Riddick Greg Breland Ernestine Satawhite Eva Canales Hugh Spurgin Barnabus Duberry Liz Torres Donna Hilliard Dexter Upshaw, Jr. Carl McCluster J. C. White Frances Newby Marguerite Williams Carmen Nieves 4

Fayerweather Lighthouse

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014

City of Bridgeport Office of Planning & Economic Development

David M. Kooris, AICP, Director Ginne-Rae Clay, Deputy Director Project Staff

Parag Agrawal, AICP, Planning Director Curtis Denton, GIS Administrator Lynn Haig, Sr. City Planner Ben Henson, AICP, City Planner (Project Manager) Deborah Thomas-Sims, Neighborhood Revitalization Director Angie Staltaro, Neighborhood Coordinator Jon Urquidi, PE, City Engineer Marilyn Santacroce, Assistant Project Manager 5 6 Contents Maps

Executive Summary 8 Mobility & Connectivity 82 1 - South End NRZ Boundary 16 Goal & Objectives 83 2 - Key Assets 23 NRZ Process 10 Essential Roadway Repairs 85 3 - Challenges 40 Vehicular Street Network 85 4 - Opportunities 42 Community Profile 14 Transit Network 89 5 - Flood Hazard Areas, 2010 & 2013 50 Planning Area 15 Pedestrian Network 91 6 - Existing Land Use & Redevelopment 67 History 15 Bicycling Network 93 Opportunities Demographic Profile 15 7 - Neighborhood-wide Strategies 68 Business Profile 21 Cultural Resources 98 8 - Planning Districts 72 Neighborhood Character 22 Goal & Objectives 99 9 - Existing Land Use & Redevelopment 84 Seaside Park 99 Opportunities Community Engagement 36 Historic Districts 101 10 - Vehicular Street Network - Exist- 86 Challenges 39 Heritage Walking Tours 101 ing Conditions Opportunities 41 Community Events 102 11 - Vehicular Street Network - Key 88 Community Gardens 104 Recommendations Community Vision 44 12 - Transit Network - Existing Condi- 90 Strenghts, Weaknesses, Opportunities 45 Implementation Strategy 106 tions & Threats Measuring Performance 107 13 - Sidewalk Network - Existing 93 Vision Statement 47 Coastal Resilience & Sustainability 110 Conditions Goals & Objectives 47 Urban Village Character 113 14 - Pequonnock River Trail 95 Mobility & Connectivity 116 15 - Proposed PRT Connection 97 Coastal Resilience & Sustainability 48 Cultural Resources 119 16 - Historic Districts 103 Goal & Objectives 49 District-Wide Strategies 53 Appendices 122 Neihborhood-Level Strategies 54 Community Workshop Discussion 123 Site-Level Strategies 60 SWOT Analyses 125 Draft Feedback 126 Urban Village Character 64 Goal & Objectives 65 Neighborhood-Wide Strategies 65 Planning District Strategies 71 7

and ethnically diverse. Household incomes and Coastal Resilience & Sustainability, Urban Executive Summary educational attainment levels are lower than Village Character, Mobility & Connectivity, and those in the surrounding area. The housing stock Cultural Resources—which contain broad goals, is aging, affordable, and diverse in size and type. specific objectives and key recommendations for Two-thirds of the housing is renter-occupied. addressing these challenges and take advantage of the many opportunities present in the South Thanks in large part to Seaside Park, nearly 40% End. In June, 2007, the City of Bridgeport and the of the land use in the South End is recreational. South End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Other land uses include industrial (19%), (NRZ) Planning Committee began working residential (17%), institutional (11%), commercial Coastal Resilience & together to create a comprehensive NRZ (7%) and vacant (7%). The lack of commercial uses designation and strategic plan for the South End. is a priority concern for the South End. Sustainability This effort was completed in 2008; however, the Two-thirds of the South End is within the FEMA Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Through a series of workshops, the community flood hazard area. The South End experiences required substantial updates in order to merit identified many challenges and opportunities in regular flooding as a result of stormwater approval. The City of Bridgeport and South End the South End. The Vision Statement represents runoff, and is vulnerable to storm activity, as NRZ Planning Committee initiated the update a general summary of how this Plan aims to foster evidenced by the effects of Hurricanes Sandy process in March, 2014 and completed it in and guide the revitalization of the South End: December, 2014. and Irene. The City of Bridgeport is a property tax dependent municipality of less than 17 Capitalize on the neighborhood’s gorgeous sq. mi. of which nearly half is tax-exempt. The The South End NRZ is a peninsula landform coastal setting and regionally significant Plan presents the following conservation and on Long Island Sound of approximately 675 institutions, entertainment and public development strategies to mitigate the increasing acres of land immediately south of Downtown spaces to attract development that ardently risks associated with natural hazards without Bridgeport. The South End’s most recognizable preserves the historic and diverse character inhibiting necessary economic development: asset is Seaside Park. Designed by Frederick Law of the existing neighborhood and improves Olmsted and developed by P.T. Barnum between overall neighborhood quality through DISTRICT-WIDE STRATEGIES 1865 and 1920, Seaside Park is an iconic product neighborhood-scale context-sensitive • Multifunctional Elevated Berm of Bridgeport’s heritage and contains numerous redevelopment and infill development • Living Shoreline landmark statues and memorials. The University that increases the population in support of • Seaside as Buffer Zone of Bridgeport, Sikorsky Aircraft and PSE&G neighborhood retail and amenities along • Stormwater Infrastructure energy generation facilities are also in the South with local employment opportunities in End. concert with safe and inviting community NEIGHBORHOOD-LEVEL STRATEGIES open spaces all-the-while investing in public • Green Street Design The 2010 Census reports a population of 7,321 and private infrastructure that mitigates • Tree Planting Program South End residents. Excluding the 258 acres the climate risks that befall this coastal • Emergency preparedness education and of land used by Seaside Park, the South End has community. a population density of 17.6 persons/acre. This outreach • Elevated Singer St. & CSO Park population is characterized as young and racially The Plan is organized into four sections— 8

SITE-LEVEL STRATEGIES and Regional Recreation & Entertainment. Key • Floodplain Development Standards recommendations for each focus on development Cultural Resources • Green roofs standards, historic preservation, urban • Rain barrels beautification and planning for future land uses. The South End is rich with natural, cultural and • Retrofit Program historic assets. It is imperative to preserve, enhance and celebrate the cultural resources Mobility & of the South End and foster community pride Urban Village and interaction. The Plan presents strategies Connectivity for each of the following areas: Seaside Park, Character Historic Preservation, Heritage Walking Tours, The South End is surrounded by water on three Community Events and Community Gardening. The South End contains a fascinating mix of sides and separated from Downtown by the I-95 nearly every type of land use, myriad housing and railroad overpass structures, limiting access types, a compelling heritage and natural to and from the area. The Plan goal is to study the Implementation landscape and a demographically diverse feasibility of improvements to the transportation residential population in a relatively dense network to enhance mobility within, to/from Strategy environment—all necessary building blocks of and through the South End NRZ for all citizens a vibrant urban village neighborhood. The Plan and transportation modes; better connect the The South End has experienced a renewed proposes neighborhood-wide and planning NRZ and its assets with Downtown and West interest from Developers in the past five years district-level strategies to achieve the goal of: End/West side; increase safety; and facilitate and a number of significant redevelopment ensuring the preservation and enhancement redevelopment and infill development at an urban projects are currently in the pipeline or under of historic structures and districts; allowing village scale. consideration. It is clear the South End is on the increased densities at appropriate levels and cusp of a revitalization and resulting population locations; properly guiding development in flood To meet this goal, the Plan presents strategies growth. The Implementation Strategy organizes hazard areas; enabling neighborhood-scale mixed for each of the following: Essential Roadway the Plan’s more than fifty key recommendations uses; and encouraging a high standard of land Improvements, Vehicular Network, Transit into sets of actionable projects and outlines a development, construction and beautification Network, Pedestrian Network and Bicycling set of performance measures to help the NRZ focused on maintaining and enhancing the South Network. Key recommendations range from measure and evaluate progress being made End NRZ’s walkable, bikeable, and liveable urban filling potholes and repairing sidewalks to altering toward accomplishing Plan goals and objectives village characteristics. street directional flow, constructing new streets, and establish a process for amending the Plan abandoning others, connecting the Pequonnock over time. Neighborhood-wide Strategies focus on Land Use River Trail to Seaside Park and improving signage & Redevelopment; Housing; Civic Engagement; and wayfinding throughout the neighborhood. and Gateways and Urban Beautification. The six planning districts, identified based on common land use characteristics, are Neighborhood Residential, Neighborhood Center, Urban Corridor, Institutional Campus, Eco-Industrial 9

NRZ Process 10

selected Philips Preiss Shapiro Associates, Inc. need for a higher degree of social interaction with NRZ Process (PPSA) to produce the South End Neighborhood area institutions to improve the quality of life in Revitalization Zone Strategic Plan (the Plan) the South End. document. City Staff received additional support to facilitate community outreach and The final objective of the workshop process engagement. was to get feedback on the various stakeholder recommendations generated around the NRZ The Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) The South End NRZ planning committee first met Plan and Implementation Plan topics. Topics such process was established by the Connecticut on April 24, 2007. The process of establishing as land use, capacity, sustainable growth and General Assembly in 1995 via Public Act Number an NRZ development plan was outlined and numerous neighborhood linkages were discussed 95-340. The legislation outlined a process stakeholders were urged to come forward and to set the final groundwork in formulating the that encouraged community stakeholders to participate in the process. The implementation- Plan. The 2008-2010 planning methodology collaborate with all levels of government to oriented planning process discussions raised included: improve neighborhoods that were affected by questions about the purpose of an NRZ; about adverse or blighted conditions. The legislation appropriate goals and objectives for the South • Stakeholder surveys; requires the neighborhood stakeholders to End Neighborhood. And though issues and • Community and business leader focus groups work together to determine its priorities and opportunities discussed often appeared to be • Stakeholder design workshop; create a plan to revitalize the area. Once the predetermined or even unclear, the stakeholder’s • Demographic data gathering and analyses plan is developed, submitted, and approved, collaborative efforts generated new ideas and • Land use and zoning analyses via field work the neighborhood can be designated as a solutions, to overcome chronic neighborhood and mapping Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, the primary problems. The process established the platform • Review of comparable retail areas benefit of which is the ability to legally bypass from which the neighborhood began to formulate • Analysis of housing and retail markets often onerous regulations and rules that might policy and identify programmatic priorities • Review of best practices. otherwise impede implementation processes. consistent with the newly established goals. Over the course of the next six months, meetings were On April 01, 2008, the South End Neighborhood In 2003, the City of Bridgeport began the process held in which issues were identified and outlined Revitalization Zone, Inc (the South End NRZ) of creating Neighborhood Revitalization Zone by the group. Of universal concern were the proposed and made effective its official By-Laws development plans. This effort was initiated to issues of safety, physical development and the thereby creating the City of Bridgeport’s fifth address blighted and vacant properties and other threats to economic development. The South End NRZ planning process began in On April 01, 2008, the South End 2007 and received support from the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) and City of Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, Inc. Bridgeport Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) matching funds. AMS Consulting, Inc. proposed and made effective its official By- was hired to conduct comprehensive surveying and analysis to identify issues affecting the Laws. South End. The South End Selection Committee 11 neighborhood redevelopment plan created under the guidelines of Public Act 94-240 and Public Act 99-35 of the Connecticut Public Statutes.

The Plan was completed in 2010 and subsequently approved by the South End Planning Committee and adopted by the Bridgeport City Council; however, the approved Plan was not formally submitted to the Connecticut Office of Policy & Management (CT OPM) for certification. In order to receive certification, CT OPM asked that the Plan be updated to reflect changes which have occurred since the 2010 Plan was completed. City Staff worked directly with the South End Planning Committee to update the Plan. The Plan and this update strive to match, compliment and expand upon the goals and objectives outlined in the following related land use planning documents:

• Bridgeport 2020: A Vision for the Future The City of Bridgeport Master Plan of Conservation and Development, 2008 • BGreen 2020: A Sustainability Plan for Bridgeport, Connecticut, 2010 • Parks Master Plan, 2011 • Rebuild By Design Resilient Bridgeport, 2014 • GBRC Complete Streets Policy & Action Plan, 2011City of Bridgeport Public Health Emergency Response Plan,2010 • Emergency Preparedness Plan, 2012 12 13

Community Profile 14 Community Profile History Demographic Profile The South End was once inhabited by the Paugasette Indians. Bridgeport was subsequently Bridgeport is a City of 144,229 residents (Census, settled by Europeans in 1629, chartered in 1821 2010). The South End is home to 7,321 of those Planning Area and incorporated in 1826 . Early development in residents. This figure is projected to increase to Bridgeport was heavily influenced by agriculture, 7,708 by 2017. Although most likely not counted The South End neighborhood is one of aquaculture and water-related industries. In in the Censes, the University of Bridgeport (UB) Bridgeport’s 13 residential neighborhoods, as the 1840’s, the Naugatuck and New Haven enrolls 4,842 students (University of Bridgeport, defined in the 2010 Mater Plan of Conservation & Railroads began operations. The Port Jefferson 2014) many of whom call the school’s dormitories Development. The South End NRZ is one of eight Steamboat Company was founded in 1883 “home” for most of the year. designated Neighborhood Revitalization Zones. and established Bridgeport as a regional trade The neigborhood and NRZ boundaries do not center. Still running today, the ferry transports The South End’s 2010 female/male population precisely align. approximately 1 million customers to and from split was 3,757 (51.3%) females and 3,564 Long Island yearly. P.T. Barnum, the prodigious (48.7%) males. The UB split is 62% female and The South End NRZ consists of 675 acres of showman, businessman and early Mayor of 38% male. UB prides itself on being the tenth land located south of Downtown and southeast Bridgeport, was an original stockholder in the most racially diverse university in the country. of West End/West Side. It is surrounded by the company and was instrumental in developing the Even without counting UB students, Bridgeport Cedar Creek, Burr Creek, Black Rock Harbor, South End, including Seaside Park and Seaside and the South End are much younger and more Long Island Sound, Bridgeport Harbor and Beach. A number of structures attributed to him diverse than Fairfield County and Connecticut. Pequonnock River bodies of water. State Routes 8 still remain. Despite its past, only a few industrial & 25 terminate into I-95 which runs east through buildings remain in the South End today. The South End’s 2010 median age was 26.8 years, the NRZ, as do the railroad tracks which facilitate much lower than Bridgeport (33.1), Fairfield MTA MetroNorth and Amtrak Northeast Though the South End retains a moderately County (40.0) and Connecticut (40.6). The South Regional commuter rail services. healthy mix of uses and economic activity, the End’s racial makeup is 34.2% Black, 29.7% White, shift away from manufacturing and subsequent 13% Asian, 18.4% Other and 4.7% 2 or More The NRZ boundary runs from the intersection loss of jobs forced many to seek employment Races, with 36.6% being of Hispanic origin. of State St. and Norman St. east to Myrtle Ave.; elsewhere, resulting in significant unemployment. south to Prospect St.; east along Frontage Public housing units have been developed and A good 42.2% of the South End NRZ population St./I-95 to the Pequonnock River; south along subsequently demolished. The Marina Park has graduated high school and attended at least the Bridgeport Harbor shoreline to Seaside Park; development is still standing, but slated for some college, and 26.3% has received some sort west along the Long Island Sound shoreline to redevelopment. As is true with other post- of degree. These numbers are lower than the Black Rock Harbor; northeast along the shoreline industrialized urban centers, the South End other geographies despite the presence of UB. to and then along the centerline of the Burr has begun recovery with new businesses in the Creek and Cedar Creek; northeast from where service industries and small light manufacturing the Cedar Creek centerline meets land to the shops. Efforts have been made to attract mixed- intersection of Railroad Ave. and Norman St.; and use development. north back to State St. 15 Map 1 - South End NRZ Boundary

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 16

Population Population Growth The South End and Bridgeport income levels significantly lag behind those of Fairfield County 180,000 South End Bridgeport Population % Change and Connecticut. The 2012 per capita income in 160,000 8,000 4.5% the South End is $16,535, 53% less than that of 140,000 7,900 4.0% the State ($35, 247) and 60% less than that of 7,800 3.5% surrounding Fairfield County ($41,516). 120,000 7,700 3.0% 100,000 7,600 While the median household income figures for 2.5% Bridgeport, Fairfield County and Connecticut are 80,000 7,500 2.0% roughly double their respective per capita figures, 7,400 60,000 1.5% this relationship does not exist in the South End 7,300 where the median household figure is only 23% 40,000 7,200 1.0% higher than the per capita. This indicates that 20,000 7,100 0.5% there are fewer earners in South End households. 0 7,210 7,321 7,412 7,708 7,000 0.0% 2000 2010 2012 2017 These income levels do translate into high 2000 2010 2012 2017 household poverty status levels in the South End. Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 Nearly 40% of South End households were at or below the poverty level during the 2005-2009 Age Race American Community Survey (ACS), more than four times the statewide rate of 8.9%. 0-4 yrs 5-14 yrs 15-24 yrs 25-64 yrs 65+ yrs White Black Asian Other 2 or More Races

There are 2,410 households in the South End 100% 100% 4.7% 4.3% 2.6% 2.6% 7.2% 10.1% 7.2% 5.9% and the average household size is 2.6 persons. 13.5% 14.2% 3.8% 18.4% 18.1% 4.6% 10.1% The percentage breakdowns of household size 10.8% 75% 3.4% are stable across the four geographies with 75% 13.0% 47.0% approximately 56% 1-2 person, 31% 3-4 person, 52.5% 53.9% 53.9% 10% 5-6 person and 3% 7 or more person 34.6% 50% 50% households. 34.2% 74.8% 77.6% 27.5% 16.6% The 2010 homeownership rates in the South 25% 12.3% 13.4% 25% 39.6% End (24.5%) and Bridgeport (38.3%) pale in 29.7% 11.8% 13.4% 14.2% 12.9% comparison to those of Fairfield County (63.7%) 6.4% 7.4% 6.2% 5.7% 0% and Connecticut (62.2%). Conversely, the rate of 0% rental occupancy in the South End (62.2%) is more than double the county (29.2%) and state (30%) rates, and the vacancy rate is high at 13.2%.

Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 17

Hispanic Origin Educational Attainment (Age > 25)

The robust rental market in South End NRZ Hispanic Origin 100% Master's/Professional/ 6.6% is likely a result of a few factors, including the 11.7% Doctorate Degree 18.8% 15.1% presence of the University of Bridgeport, existing 50.0% 90% 12.3% Bachelor's Degree multi-family housing units and a combination 80% 7.4% 22.5% 19.9% of large historic homes and high property taxes 40.0% 70% Associate's Degree 13.7% 24.7% 38.2% 5.4% which work to incentivize rental conversions. 36.6% 60% 7.3% Some College, No The South End has a very diverse housing stock 30.0% 6.2% 50% 21.7% 17.1% Degree 28.5% comprised of 683 (27%) 1-2 unit structures; 840 14.6% 40% High School or GED (33.1%) 3-4 unit structures; 691 (27.2%) 5-19 unit 20.0% 30% structures and 317 (12.5%) structures with 20 or 23.9% Less than High School or 16.9% 28.8% 23.9% GED more units. This makeup is very different than the 13.4% 20% 10.0% 31.5% statewide housing unit stock that is comprised of 10% 16.1% 11.8% 11.8% primarily (59.3%) single-family, detached units and 0.0% 0% no more than 10% of any other type.

Connecticut was chartered in 1639, the same year the settlements of Fairfield and Stratford (Bridgeport was later founded in 1821 with Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 portions of each) were founded, thus it makes sense that the area and state’s housing stock is older than that found elsewhere in the country. Income

Per Capita Median Household

$90,000 $80,342 $80,000 $70,000 $65,549 UB Prides itself on being the tenth most $60,000 racially diverse university in the country. $50,000 $41,516 $40,000 $36,506 $35,247

$30,000 $21,407 $19,092 $20,000 $16,535 $10,000 Bridgeport and the South End are much $0 younger and more diverse than Fairfield County and Connecticut

Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 18

Households Household Occupancy Status The median years built for structures in the South End, Bridgeport, Fairfield County and Connecticut 1 - 2 Persons 3- 4 Persons Owner Occupied Renter Occupied Vacant are 1940, 1949, 1961 and 1962, respectively. An 5 - 6 Persons > 7 Persons 100% 7.1% 7.9% incredible 66.2% (1,679) of the units in the South 13.2% 10.1% 100% 2.5% 3.0% 1.6% 1.2% End were built before 1940, nearly double the 8.3% 10.5% 11.7% 10.3% rate of Bridgeport and more than three times that 75% 29.2% 30.0% of the county and state! 75% 30.9% 51.6% 30.4% 31.0% 33.2% 62.2% 50% All four geographies experienced a slight post- 50% WWII building boom in the 1950-1959 period, 63.7% 62.2% but new residential construction in Bridgeport 56.7% 54.4% 54.9% 59.6% 25% and the South End has been almost nil since 1990. 25% 38.3% 24.5% Only 34 units (1.4%) have been built in the South End since 1990. This isn’t surprising considering 0% 0% the South End is built-out with only and handful of vacant properties available for constructing infill single-family homes and the larger industrial buildings requiring significant investment to convert to multi-unit housing. Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 Surrounded by very expensive Fairfield County real estate (nearly $400K median home value), Bridgeport ($178K) approaches the statewide Housing Units by Units in Structure Housing Units by Year Structure Built median home value of $238K. Homes in the South End NRZ much more affordable at $124K. A 1 Unit, Detached 1 Unit, Attached 1939 or earlier 1940 - 1969 similar pattern plays out in the contract rent rates. 2 Units 3 - 4 Units 1970 - 1999 2000 or later

5 - 19 Units > 20 Units 100% 0.4% 1.9% 8.3% 5.2% 5.4% 100% 21.3% 9.3% 8.5% 31.7% 12.5% 14.9% 28.4% 34.2% 8.4% 9.1% 75% 14.0% 8.8% 8.9% 75% 27.2% 8.6% 8.1% 49.2% 23.3% 6.2% 5.2% 50% 50% 54.0% 50.2% 33.1% 16.4% 66.2% 5.1% 58.4% 59.3% 25% 25% 11.1% 37.9% 9.8% 26.1% 22.7% 23.9% 0% 6.1% 0%

Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 19

Median Home Value

$393,288 $400,000 7,321 $300,000 South End NRZ population, projected to increase $238,353 to 7,708 by 2017.

$200,000 $178,189

$123,829 $100,000 $16,535 $0 2012 South End NRZ per capita income, 53% less than CT and 60% less than Fairfield County.

Source: US Census, 2010, City of Bridgeport, 2014 2.6 Average household size in the South End. 66.2% Percentage of structures in the South End built before 1940. $124K Median home value in the South End, 69% lower than those in Fairfield County. 20

Business Profile End has a considerably higher share of jobs in Developers have begun to apply adaptive reuse Manufacturing (25.9%) and Educational Services strategies to rehabilitate empty factory space (23.3%) than its peer locations, and a considerably into condominiums. Once fully developed and Historically, the South End neighborhood’s lower share of jobs in Retail Trade (3.0%); Finance occupied, the community will be a much improved economic base was driven through & Insurance (0.9%) and Professional, Scientific & position to support new and existing mixed use manufacturing, but over the last 50 years the Technology Services (2.5%). These figures support services along designated mixed-use zones. neighborhood has suffered substantial losses anecdotal observations that the NRZ is lacking in Additional development opportunities are yet of both manufacturing companies and skilled retail and office activity. realized on several sites throughout the NRZ. factory employees. The South End cannot support large industrial complexes and must shift to mixed-use corridors that offer opportunities Businesses & Employees, No. and% for services, retail shops and light industrial operations with residential units above street South End BPT FC CT level. Businesses Employees

Number % Number % Top Five Employers, by No. of Employees Construction 21 9.4% 122 4.2% 6.8% 6.8% 6.8%

• Unversity of Bridgeport 875 Manufacturing 8 3.5% 746 25.9% 10.8% 10.8% 10.8% • Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 638 Wholesale Trade 8 3.6% 23 0.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% • Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. 186 • Santa Fuel, Inc. 115 Retail Trade 24 10.7% 85 3.0% 8.9% 8.9% 8.9%

• Bridgeport Board of Education 50 Transportation & Warehousing 6 2.6% 46 1.6% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%

Information 7 3.1% 28 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% Across all industries, there are 227 businesses employing 2,833 Employees in the South End Finance & Insurance 2 0.9% 25 0.9% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3%

NRZ. In terms of the number of businesses, Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 9 3.9% 34 1.2% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% the five primary sectors are: Administrative & 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% Support & Waste Management & Remediation Professional, Scientific & Technology Services 24 10.4% 73 2.5% Services; Professional, Scientific & Technology Admin & Support & Waste Manage & Remediation 27 11.9% 140 4.9% 7.3% 7.3% 7.3% Services; Retail Trade; Construction; and Other Educational Services 15 6.7% 672 23.3% 9.3% 9.3% 9.3% Services; however, in terms of jobs or Employees, the primary sectors are Manufacturing, Health Care & Social Assistance 13 5.8% 306 10.6% 9.4% 9.4% 9.4%

Educational Services; Health Care & Social Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 9 3.9% 55 1.9% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% Assistance; Public Administration; and Other Accomodation & Food Services 14 6.2% 74 2.6% 3.3% 3.3% 3.3% Services. Public Administration 5 2.3% 255 8.8% 17.9% 17.9% 17.9%

Comparing percentage of Employees across Other Services 31 13.7% 191 6.6% 6.8% 6.8% 6.8% industry sectors amongst geographies, the South Source: Dunn & Bradstreet, 2012 21

Neighborhood Character The South End NRZ is also characterized by its paradoxical proximity to Downtown and a Land Use, Acres feeling of being “cut off” from Downtown by I-95 The South End NRZ is often characterized by and the MetroNorth/Amtrak railroad tracks. its proximity to Long Island Sound and access Recreational 258.19 This is a well-known high-priority issue and to its waters via Seaside Park & Beach, but the will be address throughout the Plan. Like most neighborhood is one of Bridgeport’s most diverse Industrial 130.35 Bridgeport neighborhoods, the South End NRZ is in terms of population, land use and building Residential 112.82 very walkable and bikeable with sidewalks along types. Institutional 73.31 all block faces. The street network attempts to follow a grid pattern. It is however broken up There are five residential historic districts: Commercial 47.45 by multiple large uses such as the University Division Street, Seaside Village, Marina Park, Vacant 44.92 of Bridgeport, power plants, Sikorsky, Seaside Barnum-Palliser and Cottage Development. The Other 8.33 and Marina Villages, the ballpark and arena, and University of Bridgeport occupies a large swath Seaside Park and Beach. A profusion of one-way of land (nearly 20 blocks) in the heart of the Total 675.38 streets also contributes to a somewhat confusing neighborhood. The campus includes classroom, Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 traffic pattern. There are; however, a number of library, student center, dormitory, and office distinctly “main” north-south streets such as Park buildings, athletic fields and plazas and open Ave., Iranistan Ave., Broad St. and Main St. which spaces. Large industrial uses such as the power define and serve the South End NRZ. generation plants and Sikorsky aircraft line the Land Use, % eastern and western waterfronts.

A number of abandoned industrial buildings, 1.2% vacant lots and blighted properties also contributes to the character of the South End 6.7% Recreational NRZ. Quite a few religious institutions, schools 7.0% and charitable organizations are located in the Industrial 38.2% South End NRZ. The entire range of housing 10.9% Residential types—from single-family detached cottages, to Institutional the typical Bridgeport 3-4 families, to Seaside Commercial

Village Coops and Marina village rowhomes to 16.7% Vacant 20+ unit apartment buildings—is present in the Other

South End NRZ. And of course, there is Seaside 19.3% Park and Beach, a source of deserved pride for the neighborhood, city and region.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 22 Map 2 - Key Assets

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 23 24

Single-Family Units on Broad St. 2-3 Family Units on Myrtle Ave. Residential

The South End’s housing stock is historic in age and character and diverse in size and type. Essentially, every type of housing is present in the South End: Single-, Two-, Three-, Four-, Five- and Six-Family units; Apartment, Condo and Co-op complexes, Dormitories, and Senior/Assisted Living.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014

Townhouses on Atlantic St. Townhouses on Broad St.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 25

Co-Op Units in Seaside Village Condominium Units on Myrtle Ave. Condominium Units on Lafayette St.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014

Elevated Apartment Units on Broad St. Apartment Units on Atlantic St. Apartment Units on Atlantic St.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 26

Mixed-Use on Main St. Mixed-Use on LewisSt. Commercial

Commercial uses in the South End NRZ are primarily concentrated along State St. in the northwest corner and along Park Ave. between Railroad Ave. and Gregory St.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010

Retail on Iranistan Ave. Mixed-Use on Park Ave.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 27 Retail on Columbia St. Retail on State St.

Source: google.com, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010

Retail on Iranistan Ave. Retail on Iranistan Ave.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 28

Sikorsky Aircraft Power Generation Plant Industrial

Some of the industrial uses that remain in the South End include Sikorsky Aircraft and the PSE&G, United Illuminating and Bridgeport Energy utilities. The industrial uses are generally located along the Bridgeport Harbor and Cedar Creek waterfronts.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 29 University of Bridgeport University of Bridgeport Institutional

One of the primary land uses in the South End is the University of Bridgeport (UB). The UB campus lies generally south of Atlantic St. and stretches from Iranistan Ave. to the west to Broad St. to the east. Seaside Park surrounds the campus on two sides. It is a very beautiful location for a university. There are also a number of churches, schools and charities operating in the South End. The new Roosevelt Elementary school is currently under construction, scheduled to open for the 2015 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 school year.

Bridgeport International Academy Walters African Methodist Episcopal Zion

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 30

Seaside Park Bandshell Gathering of the Vibes at Seaside Park Open Space & Recreation

The South End is blessed with one of the most magnificent public parks/beaches in New England. Comprised of 258 acres, Seaside Park makes up 38% of the land area in the South End NRZ. The park has numerous baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, beach volleyball courts, a skate park, grilling and picnicking facilities, a band shell, a multi-use trail, open spaces, beaches, sculptures, monuments, a fishing pier and the Fayerweather Lighthouse providing abundant active and passive recreational Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 opportunities for the South End, Bridgeport and the entire Region. Multiple large events call Seaside Park Bike Route Perry Memorial Arch at Seaside Park Seaside home, including the Gathering of the Vibes summer music festival, Puerto Rican Day Parade of Fairfield County, portions of the Barnum Festival, and others as well as countless sports league games and tournaments.

The Webster Bank Arena and Ballpark at Harbor Yard is home to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL Hockey team and the Fairfield University Stags NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. The arena hosts community and private events and world-class concerts and entertainment events throughout the year. The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is home to the Bridgeport Bluefish unaffiliated baseball team and also holds a number of events such as the annual Harbor Brew Fest.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 31

Harbor Brew Fest at the Ballpark Fayerweather Lighthouse

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014

Sound Tigers game at the Arena

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 32

Remington Shaver Site Warnaco Site Vacant, Abandoned or Blighted Properties

Over the last two decades, the substantial loss of manufacturing jobs and facilities has compelled the labor force to seek work elsewhere thereby reducing the population and the skilled labor force. Additional population loss resulting from the demolition of the Pequonnock apartments further reduced the economic recovery capacity of the South End. Though many South End industrial structures yet remain vacant without prospect of attracting new industry, adaptive reuse in the form of housing is replacing prior Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 industrial uses. Land use reform is necessary to facilitate economic and community development Vacant Lot on Main St. Vacant Lot on Atlantic St. efforts in the South End.

The South End is presently home to numerous abandoned and underutilized industrial lots between Railroad Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Atlantic Street and Broad Street, and along the southern portion of Railroad Avenue. Properties located on these blocks are presently zoned heavy and light industrial. The growth in housing units and the loss of industrial complexes has rendered much of the South End zoning obsolete. Amendments to Zoning are necessary to facilitate the South End’s evolution from a primarily industrial, institutional and residential neighborhood to more of a mixed-use commercial/ residential neighborhood.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 33

Abaondoned Conte’s Site Partially Vacated Marina Village Buildings

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014

Vacant Lot on Railroad Ave. Blighted House

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 34 35

Community Engagement 36

2014 Community Workshop Community Engagement

During the 2008-2010 planning process, a series of three public meetings was held. The primary objective of the meeting was to introduce the public to the NRZ process, present existing conditions analysis, and gather the gamut of issues, assets and concerns affecting the South End community. After the first meeting, a master- list of issues, assets and concerns were compiled and divided into topic areas and given to the Neighborhood Revitalization Committee for Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 review, comment and supplement before the second meeting. The Committee used the product 2014 Community Workshop of the first meeting to create a vision statement that will guide development in the South End over the next 20 years.

A public workshop was held Saturday, October 27, 2007 at the University of Bridgeport Student Center where a list of South End Neighborhood issues, assets and concerns identified in the first meeting, were organized into more specific South End neighborhood topics and then presented to the South End stakeholders (residents, business owners, institutions, et al) for discussion. The purpose of the meeting was to set objectives and action items for each topic area. With stakeholders divided into small break-out groups, the objectives and action items were more clearly identified and prioritized. Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 37

The final meeting was used to present the draft of the strategic plan to the public. Stakeholders at the meeting had the chance to suggest modifications to the list, emphasis or themes to ensure that the emergent options and themes are consistent with the longstanding point of view and priorities of the NRZ.

The final objective of the workshop process was to get feedback on the various stakeholder recommendations generated around the NRZ Plan and Implementation Plan topics. Topics such as land use, capacity, sustainable growth and numerous neighborhood linkages were discussed to set the final groundwork in formulating the Plan.

As part of the 2014 plan update, a fourth public workshop and design charrete were held at the Roosevelt Swing Space on March 8, 2014 with a focus on the following five objectives:

• Provide background regarding the 2014 plan update process • Discuss current development activities in the NRZ; • Conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis • Facilitate breakout sessions for gathering input on urban design issues and community goals and objectives • Allow the Rebuild By Design team to outline aspects of their work which relate to the South End NRZ

The following pages illustrate and summarize 2014 Community Workshop the most commonly identified Challenges and Opportunities. Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 38

1. Vacant/Abandoned Properties 2. Highway & Railroad Separation Challenges

Neighborhood Character

1. Vacant/Abandoned Properties • Highway & Railroad Underpasses • Retail Conditions

Mobility & Connectivity

2. Highway & Railroad Separation • One-way & Dead-end Streets • Dangerous Intersections • Roadway Conditions Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 • Traffic Enforcement • Event-related Traffic & Parking 3. Aging Housing Stock 4. Expanding Flood Hazard Area

Housing & Development

3. Aging Housing Stock • Limited Retail & Dining Options • Proximity to Industrial Uses & Vacant/ Abandoned Properties

Coastal Resilience

4. Expanding Flood Hazard Area • Impervious Surface Land Coverage • Aging Stormwater Infrastructure

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 39 Map 3 - Challenges

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 40

1. Seaside Park & Waterfront Location 2. Proximity to Downtown Opportunities

Neighborhood Character

1. Seaside Park & Waterfront Location • Increased Programming and Facilities at Seaside Park • Urban Beautification & Gateways

Mobility & Connectivity

2. Proximity to Downtown • Multi-modal Access • Bicycling & Pedestrian Network Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014

Housing & Development 3. Redevelopment Opportunities 4. Green Street & Building Design

3. Redevelopment Opportunities • Infill Opportunties • Historic Preservation • Mixed-Use • Affordability

Coastal Resilience

4. Green Street & Building Design • Green Roofs • Rain Barrels • Retrofit Program

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 41 Map 4 - Opportunities

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 42 43

Community Vision 44

Community Vision Strengths Threats • Seaside Park & Waterfront Access • Parking Issues • Historic Districts, Buildings & Landmarks • Expected Increase in Storm Events • Proximity to Downtown • Market Conditions/Economy • Community Gardens • Difficulty Identifying Resources • University of Bridgeport • Difficult to Agree Upon Common Goals The community vision is comprised of findings • Ballpark & Arena • Not Acknowledging All Voices from the 2008-10 and 2014 community outreach • Multimodal Accessibility • Opposition to Increasing Population efforts; a vision statement that summarizes • Park Ave. • Drivers Threatening Bicyclists the overall path the Plan charts; and a set of • Neighborhood Character • Flood Insurance Costs actionable goals and objectives to improve the South End NRZ. Weaknesses The 2008-2010 and 2014 community outreach • Abandoned, Blighted & Vacant Properties efforts reveal a somewhat consistent set of • Highway & Railroad Underpasses & Inter- findings with regard to the issues facing the South Strengths, Weaknesses, Oppor- sections End NRZ. To summarize, the area is historically • Loitering significant and the residents are proud of the tunities & Threats • Speeding structures still standing which help define their • Retail Conditions neighborhood. Vacant lots and abandoned build- Community outreach conducted over the course • One-Way Streets ings are viewed as positively for their redevelop- of the 2008-10 planning process, and during the • Separation from Downtown ment potential as much as they are negatively for 2014 update, to identify the NRZ’s strengths, • Flooding their current impact. There are abundant recre- weaknesses, opportunities and threats yielded • Impervious Surface Land Cover ation and entertainment options, but they serve very similar results. This Plan reorganizes the the entire city and region beyond the South End results into four categorical topic areas: Opporunities NRZ, which would benefit from the presence of a • Major Redevelopment Opportunities local community center of its own. There is also • Coastal Resliency & Sustainability • Scattered Infill Opportunities an expressed shortage of small-scale recreation- • Urban Village Character • Urban Beautification & Gateways al opportunities outside Seaside Park/Beach. • Mobility & Connectivity • Tree Plantings Basketball courts, a dog park/run and playground • Cultural Resources • New Facilities & Programming at Seaside equipment for young children were specifically Park identified as desirable amenities. The following bullet lists expand further upon the • Broad, Railroad, Iranitan & State summarized results of the S.W.O.T. analysis con- • Improve Roadways & Sidewalks The street network is functional, but compro- ducted with the South End community and NRZ • Create & Improve Bike Facilities mised by an over-prescription of one-way streets, Planning Committee illustrated in the previous • Community Events inconsistent street widths, too many stop signs section. See Appendix for full results. • Partnerships & Engagement and signals, lack of street lights, event-related • Increased Enforcement traffic and parking problems, poor roadway maintenance, and lack of enforcement with 45 regard to speeding, stopping, parking and driv- The South End NRZ is proud of the presence of ing on the wrong side of the street. The NRZ is the University of Bridgeport and the other edu- blessed with a comprehensive sidewalk network, cational institutions, and is eager to connect with but many walkways and crosswalks are in need them, but is unsure how to best do so. It is clear of repaired and/or enhancement. Due to its many that the University of Bridgeport’s increased amenities, proximity to Downtown, and network investment in its facilities, grounds and surround- of neighborhood streets, the South End NRZ is a ing streetscape has had a stabilizing effect on the great place to ride bikes, but would benefit from community. biking-related improvements such as the creation of a network of dedicated on-street bike lanes There are excellent housing opportunities in the South End NRZ, with many different types and The South Ends NRZ is adjacent to Downtown— styles of housing available in a range of affordable one can walk from the center of Downtown to costs. Homeowners, renters and students con- the Long Island Sound shore in Seaside Park in tribute to an eclectic population mix. Proximity less than 20 minutes—but the real distance seems to Downtown and highway, bus, train and ferry much greater due to the presence of I-95 and its facilities provides excellent access to employ- imposing system of support structures and under- ment throughout the region. There is not a great passes; the MetroNorth/Amtrak railroad tracks, amount of commercial activity, though, and loi- which are raised atop somewhat of a “great stone tering, vagrancy and crime are persistent issues, wall” broken only by small underpasses; and the most notably along Iranistan Ave. and Gregory St. large vacant lots adjacent to the ballpark and are- The community feels that existing police pres- na entertainment complex, which are currently ence and enforcement in these areas should be used for surface parking. Combined, this physical improved as should the City’s blight remediation landscape creates a vast visual and spatial void efforts. between the highway and train tracks, or be- tween Downtown and the South End NRZ. Poor The South End NRZ is a strong, vibrant, diverse lighting, narrow sidewalks and confusing cross- neighborhood steeped in history and pride. There walks exacerbate this connectivity issue. are considerable assets to build upon and issues to address. There is a strong desire to preserve Flooding is a chronic issue for South End NRZ elements of its past and invest in its future, and residents. Basements, streets and parking facili- there are opportunities to do both. ties regularly flood, causing property damage and health concerns. Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, major flooding events which occurred in 2013, served to highlight how vulnerable the South End is and the issue of coastal resiliency has emerged to the forefront of community dis- cussions. 46

Vision Statement Goals & Objectives

The vision statement is a general summary of the By applying the planning process; objectively overall intent and purpose of the Plan. The Plan is assessing the South End NRZ’s demographic, centered on four major planning themes. housing, and business profiles and its neighbor- hood character; seeking, gathering and compiling 1. Capitalize on the neighborhood’s water- the community’s subjective input; and examining front setting, historic and cultural ameni- other relevant planning documents, this docu- ties and regionally significant institutions, ment aims presents an informed set of goals and entertainment and public spaces to attract objectives centered around four major planning neighbor hood-scale infill and redevelop- themes: ment that: • Coastal Resilience & Sustainability • Preserves and enhances neighborhood • Urban Village Character character • Mobility and Connectivity • Improves the overall quality of the • Cultural Resources neighborhood • Inreases population, retail options & These themes are explored and illustrated in employment opportunities subsequent sections. These goals and objectives begin to form the base of an actionable imple- 2. Create safe and inviting community mentation strategy. space(s) 3. Invest in public and private infrastructure 4. Mitigate risks associated with natural hazards 47

Coastal Resilience & Sustainability 48

the South End NRZ covering 677 acres. The 2010 Objectives Coastal Resilience & flood hazard area was 358.9 acres, covering 53.0% of the NRZ. The 2013 update increased the To improve its coastal resilience, the South End Sustainability flood hazard area by 100.6 acres to 459.5 acres should investigate the feasibility of each of the (67.9%). Two-thirds of the South End NRZ is now following District-, Neighborhood- and Site-level located FEMA’s flood hazard area. strategies:

Sea level and coastal hazards are rising, placing In October, 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck an communities like the South End at increasing risk. enormous swath of the United States, affecting District-level Strategies Coastal resilience means adapting communities states from Maine to Florida. Many areas of to thrive within the context of these changes. The the South End were affected by Sandy—many • Multifunctional Elevated Berm South End NRZ experiences periodic flooding properties experience coastal storm surge • Living Shoreline as a result of high rainfall, low land elevation, flooding—underscoring the area’s vulnerability • Seaside as Buffer Zone outdated wastewater infrastructure, and a and the importance of increasing its coastal • Stormwater Infrastructure proliferation of impervious surface land cover resiliency. The South End NRZ is a nearly built- (buildings, streets, sidewalks, parking facilities, out neighborhood of nearly 8,000 residents. The etc.), but is also susceptible to coastal flooding built environment consists of aging structures, Neighborhood-level Strategies as a result of major storm events. Sea level at some of which are abandoned, and scattered Bridgeport is currently rising by 0.1 inch/year vacant lots. The City of Bridgeport is a property • Green Street Design (BGreen, 8). It is imperative to take measures tax-dependent municipality of less than 17 • Tree Planting Program to mitigate the increasing risks associated with square miles of which nearly half is tax-exempt. • Emergency preparedness education and such natural hazards and climate change in order Limiting development or reducing the population outreach protect the community’s human, built and natural in the South End as part of a hazard mitigation • Elevated Singer St. & CSO Park resources. strategy is not feasible. As such, it is essential to incorporate sustainability into development In 2013, the Federal Emergency Management guidelines and strategies for the NRZ. Site-level Strategies Agency (FEMA)’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) updated the Federal Insurance • Floodplain Development Standards Rate Map (FIRM), which is the official map of a • Green roofs community on which FEMA has delineated both Goal • Rain barrels the special hazard areas and the risk premium • Retrofit Program zones applicable to the community, including Apply development strategies and natural flood risk zone boundaries, floodways and base conservation solutions to mitigate the increasing flood elevations (BFEs). The Flood Hazard Areas, risks associated with natural hazards and 2010 & 2013 map shows how the hazard area climate change while not inhibiting economic boundaries (A, AE, AO or VE flood zones) have development; protect the community’s human, been expanded throughout the South End NRZ built and natural resources; and reduce and limit as part of the update. There are 935 parcels in stormwater flow into waste treatment facilities. 49 Map 5 - Flood Hazard Areas, 2010 & 2013

Source: FEMA, 2014 50

Renewable Energy Park

BGreen 2020 Eco-Technology Park The 50-acre renewable energy park located on the closed Seaside Landfill site is a key piece In 2010, as a result of the BGreen Bridgeport Perhaps the most significant development project of the Eco-Technology Park development. It partnership between the City and the Bridgeport called for in BGreen 2020 is the Eco-Technology has the potential to house solar, fuel cells and Regional Business Council (BRBC), the BGreen Park. This is an assemblage of multiple sites wind installations and generate between 4 - 5 2020 sustainability plan was released. Part of an in the South End and West Side/West End megawatts of power to the grid. New state ongoing initiative, the plan details 64 actionable NRZs, separated by Cedar Creek. This is a legislation that the City supported in Hartford local strategies to combat global warming, strategic location based on its: reliable electrical was passed in 2011 to allow each of our electric protect the global environment and stabilize the interconnections to the grid, access to natural distribution companies in Connecticut to own national economy. Early priorities include: gas, significant amounts of excess heat and gray up to 10 megawatts of renewable energy in their water that can be harnessed to serve the district, service territories. United Illuminating Company • Creating an Energy Improvement District and incredible transportation access via highway, executives have agreed to make Bridgeport their (EID)and Eco-Technology Park to support rail and water. first investment and is working closely with the energy efficiency and production State and the City to realize the potential at this • Adopting a “transit first” transportation The early components of the Eco-Technology site. policy Park include (1st four are South End projects): • Creating a Conservation Commission to Mattress Recylcing Facility implement strategies in the citywide Parks • Renewable energy generating facility Master Plan • Mattress recycling facility Park City Green, Connecticut’s first mattress • Expanding recycling and composting efforts • University of Bridgeport fuel cell recycling facility, opened in the South End in • Protecting the Region’s waterways through • South Ave. green infrastructure 2012. It is a joint venture between the Green enhanced stormwater management improvements Team and Family Re-Entry (two local non-profits), • Incubating developing green industries • Anaerobic digester for food waste in conjunction with the St. Vincent’s DePaul and training workers via a Green Collar • Bio-Fuels production facilities Society of Lane County Oregon. The goal is to Institute • Clean fueling stations deconstruct 100,000 mattresses from around • Conducting community outreach by way of • Anaerobic digester for sludge waste the state and sell the component parts back into a youth Conservation Corps • Fuel cell energy generating facility the recycled commodities market. Presently, • District heating and cooling loop mattresses are either incinerated or shipped These citywide strategies will have direct and • Permeable paving distribution and to remote landfills in Ohio and Pennsylvania, indirect impacts on the coastal resilience of the installation facility resulting in needlessly large carbon footprints. South End, and influence this and other sections • Hydrocarbon extraction and recycling In 2013, the Connecticut General Assembly of the Plan. facility passed the first mattress stewardship program • Green building supplies wholesale facility in the United States. This legislation requires • Medical waste incineration facility manufacturers to pay for the recycling of • Industrial symbiosis amongst these mattresses they sell in Connecticut and is facilities’ input/output chains expected to be implemented in 2015. 51

Eco-Technology Park Rebuild By Design

In 2014, Bridgeport was selected to formulate a proposal for funding as part of Rebuild By Design, a collaborative initiative of the President’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force that included NYU’s Institute for Public Knowledge, Municipal Art Society, Regional Plan Association, and Van Alen Institute as Partners. The Bridgeport team was comprised of Waggonner and Ball, unabridged Architecture, the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, Yale University’s Urban Ecology and Design Laboratory, and ARCADIS. The City of Bridgeport provided assistance throughout the process, which resulted in the Resilient Bridgeport: Claim the Edge, Connect the Center proposal document. The proposal identified the South End as the “most vulnerable geography of the city” (RBD, 24) and called for the following improvement Source: BGreen, 2020 projects geared toward preparedness, protection gas for heating and air conditioning for the and response, which will improve the coastal adjacent Wheeler Recreation Center and its pool, resilience of the South End. University of Bridgeport University Place Apartments and Schine Hall. Fuel Cell • Multifunctional Elevated Berm South Ave. Green Infrastructure • Elevated Singer Street With help from the Center for Sustainable • Feasibility Study for Onshore Combine Business Growth, the University of Bridgeport Improvements Sewer Overflow (CSO) Park is now installing a 1.4 megawatt fuel cell power • Living Shoreline plant on its campus in conjunction with FuelCell Improvements have been made to Iranistan • Resilience Education and Community Energy of Danbury. The project will reduce Ave. north of South Ave. This project will extend Center carbon emissions by 7,000 tons—equivalent similar improvements along South Ave. and to 1,220 vehicles—per year and save UB an include pervious sidewalk materials and extensive estimated $3.5 million in energy costs over 12 tree plantings, and are intended to beautify the years. The fuel cell generates energy using natural streetscape, increase stormwater runoff capture, gas and its exhaust heat will be used to generate and mitigate the urban heat island effect. hot water and offset consumption of natural 52

District-wide Strategies from extensive development, but the following may result in erosion or sedimentation and strategoes will increase its effectiveness as a application of fertilizers, herbicides and buffer zone: pesticides (except as to restore a buffer) District-wide strategies are large-scale projects • Maintain public access and recreation which impact an area greater than the South End • Increase landscaping with a variety of opportunities NRZ. native species plants and trees Multifunctional Elevated Berm • Limit construction of additional structures, roadways, surface parking facilities and The elevated berm is designed to be integrated other impervious surfaces into the existing Seaside Park landscape and • Incorporate sustainable stormwater would replace Waldemere Ave. It would be management features into existing and elevated to protect against current “worst case future facilities scenario” base flood elevations caused by sea • Prohibit land disturbing activities that level rise of 17’. A bikeway placed atop the berm Multifunctional Elevated Berm would serve as a new east-west connection through the neighborhood and park. Considering the berm would primarily be constructed on City- owned parkland lends the project an amount of feasibility. Seaside as Buffer Zone

While not entirely retained in a natural undisturbed condition, the vast open space of Seaside Park and Beach provides a tremendous buffer zone between the Long Island Sound shore and the developed and inhabited areas of the South End NRZ. Without the buffer, these areas would be considerably more vulnerable to storm surge flooding.

Buffer zones are defined as “areas of undeveloped, generally vegetated land which can be retained in its natural undisturbed condition, created to resemble a naturally occurring riparian area, or provided as a carefully designed landscaped amenity” (Urban Design Manual, 4). Seaside Park land is legally protected Source: Rebuild By Design, 2014 53

Stormwater Infrastructure Neighborhood-wide Strategies

With the exception of Seaside Park, the South End Neighborhood-wide strategies are those which is a built-out urban neighborhood. Land covered can be implemented throughout the public realm by buildings, streets, sidewalks, parking lots and in the South End NRZ, and stand to impact a wide other impervious surfaces requires stormwater swatch of the community. infrastructure to adequately drain surface water runoff. This infrastructure is aging. A number of drains regularly clog, vaults fill and in some Green Street Design instances, the outlets which direct stormwater into nearby waterbodies are no longer adequately As discussed in other sections of this plan, the elevated. This causes reverse flow issues during South End NRZ would benefit from a variety high tide storm events. of roadway improvements, which presents an opportunity to implement sustainable Key Recommendations stormwater management infrastructure.

1. Act as a Partner in support of a potential Whereas traditional infrastructure was designed multifunctional elevated berm through all and built to move the largest volumes of project phases water away from a site as quickly as possible, 2. Assist with project-related community sustainable infrastructure captures water close education and outreach to the source to reduce CSOs, ponding, flooding 3. Act as a Partner in support of potential and flow into treatment facilities. As it does so, offshore breakwater structures in Long stormwater becomes an asset to improve the Island Sound urban ecology and aesthetic. 4. Assist with project-related community education and outreach South End NRZ improvements, especially those 5. Work with City of Bridgeport, Parks located within the flood hazard area, should Department staff and other Stakeholders include site-appropriate green infrastructure to increase native landscaping of Seaside such as bioswales, flow-through planters, Park pervious strips, pervious pavement. The South 6. Assist with Volunteer recruitment efforts Ave. infrastructure project will include some related to potential landscaping projects green street design features. Other streets that 7. Support development strategies to increase logical candidates for similar improvements the effectiveness of Seaside Park as a include: Main St., Broad St., Park Ave., Iranistan buffer zone Ave., Atlantic St., Gregory St., University Ave. and 8. Work with City Council Representatives and State St. WPCA Staff to identify non-functioning drains and poorly elevated outlets 54 Bioswales

Bioswales are vegetated, shallow, landscaped depressions designed to capture, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff as it moves downstream. They are typically sized to treat the first and often most polluted volume of water resulting from a storm event. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) calls them the most effective type of green infrastructure facility in slowing runoff velocity and cleansing water while recharging the underlying groundwater table (NACTO.com). Bioswales can be integrated along curb lines or within the street median.

Bioswales

Source: NACTO.org, 2014 55 Flow-through Planters

Flow-through planters are hard-edged stormwater management facilities with an impermeable base, and are appropriate where infiltration of stormwater is unsafe or not possible—typically urban environments. They treat water by allowing runoff to soak through a soil matrix and filter into an underdrain system.

Flow-through Planters

Source: NACTO.org, 2014 56 Pervious Strips

Pervious strips are long areas of landscaping, pervious pavement or a combination of both. They are less expensive than bioswale systems, but do not provide as much volume or treatment capacity.

Pervious Strips

Source: NACTO.org, 2014 57 Pervious Pavement

Pervious pavement can be applied as sidewalks, streetscaping areas, parking lanes, gutter strips or entire roadway surfaces. Such treatments are effective where landscape-based improvements aren’t feasible or desired.

Pervious Pavement

Source: NACTO.org, 2014 58

Lafayette St. - Before Tree Planting Program Emergency Preparedness Educa-

Trees provide a multitude of environmental and tion & Outreach community benefits. Recognizing this, the City’s The City of Bridgeport Emergency Operations Master Plan of Conservation & Development set a Center (EOC)’s South End Neighborhood Disaster goal of planting 3,000 new trees by 2020. In 2012, Plan outlines strategies and resources to help the the Mayor’s Office pledged to plant 2,012 in that neighborhood sustain itself during an emergency year alone and surpassed that mark by working until emergency personnel and outside assistance with Groundwork Bridgeport and Northeast arrives. The Plan contains recommendations for Horticultural Services to plant 2,441 trees general preparedness before, during and after an throughout Bridgeport. South End Stakeholders emergency event, details an emergency supply should expand upon these efforts to increase kit checklist, shows threats to the area at various the number of trees in the NRZ by participating likelihood of occurrence and level of impact, in the City’s Adopt A Tree program. Individual identifies key community and human resources, Stakeholders can even identify areas where they gives tips for coping with disaster and caring for think trees should be placed by utilizing the City’s Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 children. BConnected Citizen Service System, available online, by phone and smartphone app. THREAT LIKELIHOOD OF LEVEL OF IM- Lafayette St. - After OCCURRENCE PACT A Tree Canopy Report was prepared for the City Severe Storms / Likely Major of Bridgeport in 2013 that identifies the majority Tornados of the South End in high to moderately-high “Tree Extreme Hot/Cold Moderate Minor Canopy Opportunity” areas. Park Ave. and the Winter Storms / Likely Major streets within Seaside Village offer great examples Blizzards of how other streets throughout the NRZ could Transportation Likely Major be lined with trees. Broad St., Main St., Lafayette Flooding Likely Moderate St., Ridge St., Gregory St. and Atlantic St., to name School Emergency Rare Major a few, are examples of streets that would benefit from the addition of street trees, but in general, Hurricanes / Tropi- Moderate Catastrophic cal Storms opportunities to plant trees should be explored Civil Disturbance Rare Major throughout the South End NRZ, including Seaside Park. Additionally, development guidelines should Hazardous Materials Unlikely Major require the installation of new street trees along Fire Moderate Moderate the frontage of public roadways. Earthquake Rare Moderate

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 59

Elevated Singer St. & CSO Park 5. Work with Stakeholders to identify water from entering areas below BFE funding resources to study the feasibility • Prohibit residential use within or below BFE of elevating Singer St. and constructing • When flood-resistant construction requires Constructing the multifunctional elevated berm a Combined Sewer Overflow open space raising the lowest floor, preserve a vibrant would require elevating Singer St. by three feet facility streetscape by requiring additional planting and adding a 4’ floodwall on its eastern side. There and landscaping buffers, and façade is an existing CSO outfall that currently drains into treatments Bridgeport Harbor during “CSO events” or periods of high rainfall which cause stormwater and Site-level Strategies sewage to combine and flow together. An open Site-level strategies are intended to improve space facility to naturally treat the effluent before Green Roofs private property and future private development. it reaches the harbor would help mitigate this A green roof, or rooftop garden, is a vegetative activity. Designed correctly, the open space would layer grown on a rooftop. Green roofs can be be an attractive amenity supporting mixed-use Floodplain Development Stan- installed on a wide range of buildings, from development planned on adjacent land. industrial facilities to private residences. They dards can be as simple as a 2-inch covering of hardy groundcover or as complex as a fully accessible Key Recommendations Understanding that a large area of the South park complete with trees. Green roofs present End NRZ is within the flood hazard area and many public and private benefits: 1. Work with Stakeholders to ensure green recognizing the South End’s need to balance its street design features like bioswales, coastal management requirements and resiliency • Aesthetic Improvement flow-through planters, pervious strips efforts and economic development progress, • Waste Diversion and pervious pavers, are considered when it is important to adopt flexible development • Stormwater Management making roadway improvements standards to encourage both. Examples of • Moderation of Urban Heat Island Effect 2. Assist with Volunteer recruitment for the standards for development and redevelopment • Improved Air Quality City’s South End NRZ tree planting program in floodplains which would increase the coastal • New Amenity Spaces efforts resilience of the South End include: • Local Job Creation 3. Report tree maintenance or issues using the • Energy Efficiency BConnected platform • Elevate buildings above Base Flood • Increased Roofing Membrane Durability 4. Work with the City of Bridgeport Elevation (BFE) as per FEMA and City • Fire Retardation Emergency Operations Center to: requirements • Noise Reduction • Prepare and conduct community • Measure building heights from the BFE+1’ • Marketing outreach, paying particular attention to elevation mark • Increased Biodiversity communications • Require use of sound flood proofing • Improved Health and Well-Being • Host disaster preparedness education materials for habitable space • Educational Opportunities and training events • Require mechanical equipment to be • Distribute emergency survival kits located above BFE Considering the South End’s waterfront location; • Recruit Volunteers • Require use of flood shields to prevent 60

Green Roof Installation

abundance of large flat institutional, industrial, and streams. Usually a rain barrel is composed commercial and even residential roofs; and of a 55 gallon drum, a vinyl hose, PVC couplings, visibility from I-95 and the train, green roofs a screen grate to keep debris and insects out, are a strategy that stands to greatly benefit the and other off-the-shelf items. Garden and lawn community. The benefits that green roofs provide watering accounts for 40 percent of residential with regard to stormwater management alone water use during the summer, according to the would have a tremendous impact on the quality of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Thanks to living in the South End: a rain barrel’s water catch, the typical homeowner can save 1,300 gallons of water during the • With green roofs, water is stored by the growing season. Rain barrels have a number of substrate and then taken up by the plants benefits: from where it is returned to the atmosphere through transpiration and evaporation. • Reduce amount of treated municipal water • In summer, depending on the plants and used for lawn and gardening purposes depth of growing medium, green roofs • Provide healthier water source for plants retain 70-90% of the precipitation that falls and soil than tap water on them; in winter they retain between Source: Lindquist Landscape Design, 2014 • Provide reliable water source in times of 25-40%. For example, a grass roof with a drought or watering restrictions 4-20 cm (1.6 - 7.9 inches) layer of growing • Reduce surface non-point source water Green Roof Installation medium can hold 10-15 cm (3.9 - 5.9 inches) pollution of water. • Reduce stormwater runoff volume and soil • Green roofs not only retain rainwater, but erosion also moderate the temperature of the water • Reduce household water bills and act as natural filters for any of the water that happens to run off. • Green roofs reduce the amount of Retrofit Program stormwater runoff and also delay the time at which runoff occurs, resulting in In order to retrofit structures to better prepare decreased stress on sewer systems at peak them to withstand coastal hazards and to meet flow periods. floodplain development standards, property owners will inevitably incur associated costs. To encourage improvements and better protect Rain Barrels the community, the South End should work with local, State and Federal stakeholders to identify A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores resources to initiate a coastal retrofit program. rainwater from your roof that would otherwise There are many ways to fund and structure such a be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains Source: Lindquist Landscape Design, 2014 program, and these should be explored in detail. 61

Key Recommendations

1. Support the formulation and adoption of effective floodplain development standards 2. Conduct community outreach and education regarding the benefits of using green building features 3. Explore partnerships with area green building supplies manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers and community organizations to reduce costs for construction and retrofitting projects in the South End NRZ 4. Encourage participation in the City of Bridgeport rain barrel program

The tremendous amount of uncertainty about the future—from the effects of climate change and rising sea levels to the frequency of major environmental events—necessitates action to mitigate the increasing risks associated with such natural hazards and climate change in order protect the community’s human, built and natural resources. The recommendations and strategies outlined in this section are merely a starting point, and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of improvements.

City of Bridgeport Rain Barrel

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 62 63

Urban Village Character 64

Urban Village development, construction and beautification • ENFORCEMENT: Improve the overall health, focused on maintaining and enhancing the South safety and welfare of the community by Character End NRZ’s walkable, bikeable, and liveable urban increasing the City’s zoning, building, anti- village characteristics. blight and police enforcement efforts • MAINTENANCE: Identify creative ways for the neighborhood to collaborate with In his The Case for Urban Villages, Randall Objectives the City and local residents, agencies Fleming describes urban villages as “a and institutions to proactively care for • ZONING: Prepare amendments to the contradiction in place, as they as they blend the the neighborhood, like implementing a City of Bridgeport Zoning & Subdivision intensity of a city with the intimacy of a village. neighborhood maintenance program Regulations and Zoning Map to: • MARKETING: Develop an effective • Better enable mixed-use developments Urban villages work because they resolve this marketing strategy for the South End NRZ which are compatible with existing and contradiction by balancing public interaction desired neighborhood form factors and personal privacy; enriching outdoor living • Ensure a mix of housing types within all with passive open spaces and intense urban Neighborhood-wide Strategies ranges of affordability places; and by providing diverse living, working, • Communicate strategy of focusing The South End NRZ is home to a diverse mix of and playing opportunities. The result brings a lot preservation and enhancement of land uses and related architectural styles and of people together in an urban setting that can structures and areas within historic building scale. accommodate diverse personal and community districts and promoting urban village needs”. form factors and uses elsewhere that Affirming the historic and aging character of the will help increase the neighborhood’s neighborhood, half of the structures were built The South End has many of the necessary population; prior to 1900, and only 15% since 1950; however, components to develop into a vibrant urban • DESIGN: Prepare a set of design guidelines the number of redevelopment projects either in village neighborhood. This section presents an which aggressively preserve and enhance progress or planned continues to grow, signaling a urban design strategy that targets mixed-use the nature of any development or physical renewed interest in the South End. redevelopment and infill development so as to improvements in historic districts and achieve its stated goal and objectives. allow for progressive and context-sensitive The University of Bridgeport is also in the early development in the South End stages of executing its campus master plan. Goal • GATEWAYS: Improve gateways as Downtown continues to be redeveloped, and it is physically attractive and welcoming clear that the South End is on the verge of a similar Guide development to ensure the preservation features surge in activity. and enhancement of historic structures and • STREETSCAPES: Beautify streets and open districts; allow increased densities at appropriate spaces via tree planting, landscaping, and levels and locations; properly guide development streetscaping programs in flood hazard areas; enable neighborhood-scale • OPEN SPACE: Care for existing open spaces mixed uses; and encourage a high standard of land and seek to provide new opportunities 65

Land Use & Redevelopment Infill and residential redevelopment will also help attract much-needed commercial uses. As this happens, it is critical to establish an affordable A primary challenge in the South End NRZ is to housing policy in the South End. Inclusionary balance or rationalize the use, scale, density and zoning, which requires a certain number or design of new development within the context percentage of affordable units to be created when of the existing, considerably historic fabric, and constructing new or rehabbing old units, is one mitigate potential conflicts between adjacent way in which to achieve this. Not all affordable properties. units have to be in new development. The South End will strive to increase its overall The Bridgeport Housing Authority maintains residential and commercial density in order to a considerable number of housing units in this accommodate a necessary increase in population district for low-income residents. To increase and employment. This will be achieved primarily the neighborhood’s viability as an inclusive by altering zoning regulations in order to community able to attract mixed-use, retail, office encourage mixed-use redevelopment and multi- and light industrial uses, it needs to attract more family infill development of vacant land. workforce and market-rate housing units. As new units are developed, construction-related The South End’s historic districts and properties employment opportunities will become available are valuable assets, and should be preserved to the community. and enhanced. Infill development within historic districts shall be designed to be compatible with the character of existing adjacent and surrounding structures.

Housing The South End will strive to increase its Of the University of Bridgeport’s 5,000 students, overall residential and commercial density in only 1,200 live on campus in the South End. Improving nearby rental units to provide order to accomodate a necessary increase in additional housing opportunities will result in a number of community benefits. One way to population and employment. achieve this is through a rental rehabilitation program. The City does not currently operate such a program, but could potentially partner with the University, property owners and other Stakeholders to develop one. 66 Map 6 - Existing Land Use & Redevelopment Opportunities

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 67 Map 7 - Neighborhood-wide Strategies

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 68

Civic Engagement Gateways & Urban Property owners are central to the revitalization of the South End. Construction, rehabilitation and landscaping efforts should be recognized The University of Bridgeport has become a Beautification and celebrated by the community. The South End tremendous asset and the community should should develop an award program and incorporate explore more opportunities to partner with UB to The South End enjoys waterfront views and a ceremony into an annual community gathering improve the South End. Other large employers, access—views from taller buildings and the or reception. small businesses, and religious and educational elevated highway and railroad tracks are institutions in the South End should also be especially great—but suffers from a lack of encouraged to play more active roles. Between attractive gateways to welcome visitors. sponsorship, volunteering or participation, there are plenty of opportunities for these important From points north, the South End is blocked Stakeholders to do so. entirely from view by the highway and railroad structures, and visitors mostly see parking lots As the South End NRZ Board continues to build and the scattered light industrial uses along organizational capacity, it should look to build Railroad Ave. Redevelopment will solve this strong, lasting partnerships with these members issue over time, and gateway treatments in key of the community. Even small projects such as locations will help in the short-term. “adopt-a-block”, street cleanups, and community events can have profound impacts on the quality While they currently act as barriers, the elevated of life in a neighborhood. highway’s underpass structures can be beautified to become welcoming gateways by working with With Downtown and Seaside both so close by, it is local Artists and Volunteers, and improving them unlikely the South End can attract its own library, with painted murals. Locally-created artwork post office or large park. This further highlights instills pride in both the work and the community. the need to strategically redevelop areas of the South End with a strong emphasis on connectivity Such a project was recently completed in New and cohesion. Whether it takes the shape of a new Haven, CT. Dubbed “Under 91”, the project was community center facility, a bus terminal, an open initiated by a group of community members space or plaza or finds a home within an existing who raised funding, obtained approvals and less-formal facility, a clearly designated civic selected Artists themselves. The project brought gathering place will benefit the South End. the community together and transformed the underpass. The South End should explore similar methods for beautifying the underpass locations. Beautified and properly lit, the underpass locations at Iranistan Ave. & Broad St. will both serve as welcoming gateways into the South End.

69

Myrtle Ave. Gateway - Before Myrtle Ave. Gateway - After

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010

Under91 - Before Under91 - After

Source: ilovenewhaven.com, 2014 Source: ilovenewhaven.com, 2014 70

beautification program. Key projects might Urban Corridor Key Recommendations include murals, sculptures and other public artworks, landscaping and community State St. is a high-volume transportation corridor that 1. Work with Stakeholders to identify cleanup efforts connects the Black Rock, West Side/West End and resources to prepare amendments to the 9. Assist with Volunteer recruitment for urban South End neighborhoods with Downtown. This area City of Bridgeport zoning ordinance and beautification projects provides an opportunity for larger mixed-uses with a map 10. Develop a South End property improvement focus on multi-modal transportation facilities. 2. Partner with City Council Representatives, award program City Staff, UB Staff, private property owners and other Stakeholders to explore the Institutional Campus feasibility of creating a rental rehabilitation Planning District Strategies program The University of Bridgeport continues to implement 3. Work with Stakeholders to establish an Considering existing land use characteristics, the South its Master Plan and improve its facilities, and a new affordable housing policy End NRZ can be organized into six neighborhood Roosevelt Elementary School campus is under 4. Work with Developers to match planning districts. These generalized areas are construction. These areas will not experience private construction-related training and meant to help communicate the overall vision for the redevelopment, but do need to be successfully employment opportunities with area neighborhood, not to prescribe property-specific incorporated into the neighborhood fabric. residents strategies or recommendations. The six districts are: 5. Build strong, lasting relationships with corporate and institutional members in Eco-Industrial the South End, and explore ways to work Neighborhood Residential Bridgeport’s industrial waterfront continues to together on: evolve. These areas will adapt to become communities These areas are almost exclusively residential, and • Community fair/outreach events capable of supporting technological innovation and will remain so. The primary design objective in • “Adopt-a-Block” program 21st century light manufacturing with a focus on Neighborhood Residential districts is to preserve • Neighborhood/street cleanups sustainability and access. • Social/entertainment events and enhance the existing housing stock and require • Farmers/Gardeners Market events infill development to be of high-quality design and • Other construction that is compatible with surrounding Regional Recreation & 6. Work with City Council Representatives, structures. Non-residential land uses will be limited. City Staff, Greater Bridgeport Transit, Entertainment Bridgeport Public Library and other Stakeholders to identify a feasible Neighborhood Center These areas welcome large amounts of visitors from community gathering space throughout the City and Region, and are sources of Strategically located and comprised of a number of 7. Work with Stakeholders to identify considerable pride. They will not be redeveloped, underutilized properties, these areas will transition into resources to initiate a gateways and but will become more attractive gateways into the high-activity residential, commercial and civic mixed- wayfinding planning and design process neighborhood. use centers with a focus on pedestrian and bicycling 8. Work with Stakeholders to initiate an urban facilities. 71 Map 8 - Planning Districts

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 72

Infill Development Infill Example - Before Neighborhood Residential

There are four distinctly clustered residential areas in the South End, mostly north of Atlantic St. These areas are generally built-out, with scattered opportunities for infill development. The urban design strategy here is to make sure the existing residential character of these areas is preserved and enhanced and that infill development is compatible with it.

This will be achieved through updated zoning requirements and design guidelines. As outlined in the Cultural Resources section, historic districts which make up the majority of these areas require additional attention to detail. For example, during the 2010 citywide zoning update, the majority of the Cottage Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: Lindquist Landscape Design, 2014 Development Historic District was rezoned Office/ Retail (OR). To help preserve the desirable character of these residential uses, properties with single-family Infill Example - After (Neo-Traditional) Infill Example - After (Contemporary) units should be zoned Residential A (R-A), and those with multi-family units or rowhouses should be zoned Residential C (R-C).

New residential should be scaled and situated similarly to their neighbors, as shown below. As the majority of blocks exhibit consistency with regard to building dimensions, street setbacks and yard sizes, requirements should be dictated by each block’s prevailing, or average existing conditions, as shown to the right. By maintaining a consistent building form, developers and home owners have greater flexibility in architectural style and building materials. Requirements should not attempt to force new structures to match the architectural styling of existing ones. These images illustrate that both neo-traditional and modern design are compatible within the existing Source: Lindquist Landscape Design, 2014 Source: Lindquist Landscape Design, 2014 fabric. 73

Neighborhood Center North Design Concept These are residential areas meant to be comfortable Neighborhood Residential places to live. Streets will be narrower and lined with tree plantings and safe sidewalks. Curb cuts, driveways, Despite its diversity and breadth of land uses, the South and all off-street parking facilities will be limited. End lacks a unifying neighborhood center. These areas Permeable materials will be used for the construction were identified throughout the planning process as of any permitted driveway or surface parking facilities. prime opportunities to create a vibrant neighborhood center of mixed residential, commercial and civic uses that seamlessly connects with Downtown and unites Key Recommendations the rest of the neighborhood. 1. Work with Stakeholders to identify resources to These areas are comprised of a number of large prepare amendments to the City of Bridgeport underutilized and underperforming properties and zoning ordinance and map which: uses which, for the most part are outside of the • Allow only residential uses, as-of-right Flood Hazard Area and present an opportunity for • Encourage and facilitate sensible transformative redevelopment. The key challenge population growth within the district is to guide that redevelopment along • Aim to preserve and replicate the existing Source: Lindquist Landscape Design, 2014 an urban transect that appropriately scales structures urban form, without limiting architectural and uses within the context of neighboring districts. style This will be achieved through zoning. • Ensure pedestrian and bicycling safety and Infill Example - After (Contemporary) encourage healthy activity Broad St. is the primary connection between • Do not allow curb-cuts, driveways or off- Downtown and assets in the South End. This corridor street parking facilities, as-of-right is home to a number of very important development • Require permeable paving materials for any opportunities which will redefine the character of the permitted land cover corridor. The scale of these developments will help • Prohibit demolition or redevelopment of create a more natural transition from Downtown into historically significantly structures, except the South End, with larger mixed-use buildings and in cases of extreme blight more shallow setbacks. • Champion an extensive tree planting program Considering their proximity to Downtown, visibility and ability to trumpet Bridgeport’s revival to the entire region, the two lots next two the Ballpark and Arena are particularly important. They should be developed to accommodate very high-activity mixed commercial and residential uses built tall enough to alter the skyline and take advantage of waterfront and Downtown Source: Lindquist Landscape Design, 2014 views. Development standards should allow very 74

30 University Ave. & 60 Main St. Design Concept tall building heights and shallow setbacks. Off-street to the UB campus, doing so is very-ill advised. parking should be permitted and designed to be out- The single-family homes, known colloquially of-sight. These streets will be designed as complete as “the cottages”, are an incredible example of streets facilitating all modes of transportation, with historic housing stock that has survived as a unit streetscaping and green design features. and the rowhouses south of them on Broad St. are some of the most recognizable buildings in Design will emphasize street-level interactivity and all of Bridgeport, emblematic of the era defined upper floor aesthetics. Sidewalks will be wide to by its famous forefather P.T. Barnum. Every accommodate heavy pedestrian traffic and outdoor effort should be made to preserve and enhance dining areas. These properties should be zoned them. Their relative difference in scale from the Downtown Village District, Neighborhood Village proposed redevelopment around them makes District, or a combination of both. The site at 375 the entire corridor a more interesting place and Main St. is an ideal location for medium-density emphasizes their cultural relevance. residential with ground-floor retail/office along its Broad St. and Main St. frontages. A maximum The southernmost portion of the district is height of fifty feet should be permitted, as-of- comprised of two very important redevelopment right, with additional height permissible via opportunities: the former Conte’s Restaurant site Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 special permit. at 30 University Ave. and the former Remington Shaver factory site at 60 Main St. 30 University Ave. & 60 Main St. Design Concept The two blocks on the western side of Broad St. contain numerous underutilized properties. Standing next to the UB campus, and between These development standards should be extended the Cottage Development Historic District and to both of them to encourage redevelopment the very edge of Seaside Park the Conte’s site in accordance with a high-activity mixed-use has terrific views of the park and waterfront corridor. These three blocks of land should be beyond it. The Remington site enjoys sweeping zone Neighborhood Center Village District panoramic views of the Bridgeport Harbor and (NCVD) to facilitate these recommendations. Long Island Sound. Successful redevelopment of this site stands to alter the image of the entire Moving south along Broad St., the district is briefly city. Remington Shaver was once an economic interrupted by the Neighborhood Residential powerhouse employing hundreds of South End (Cottage Development Historic District) and and Bridgeport residents—a great source of Institutional Camus (northwestern corner of UB’s pride for both. The company long ago shuttered campus) districts. While it may be tempting to look the factory and the abandoned site fell into its at a map view and recommend razing the single- current state. The redevelopment of this site into and 3- to 4-family units, and replacing them with highly visible, landmark quality residential uses more medium-density mixed-use buildings to form will inspire a renewed sense of pride in it. The a more uniform corridor straight from Downtown illustrations show how the development could be Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 75

Iranistan Ave. & Ridge Ave. - Before scaled. The site is zoned Mixed-Use Waterfront desire for a dining district. Requirements should (MU-W) which permits building heights up to 500 allow mixed-uses with ground floor restaurant feet or 50 stories. facilities on all properties fronting Park Ave. and Railroad Ave. as-of-right. Outdoor dining areas The properties along the southern side South should similarly be allowed as-of-right within Ave. and Railroad Ave. are also prime for setbacks and permitted within the public right- mixed-use redevelopment. The Marina Village of-way. Design guidelines should encourage housing units are inadequate for habitation and the construction of attractive and comfortable require replacement. These properties will be outdoor dining facilities. Off-street parking redeveloped into neighborhood-scale mixed- facilities should only be permitted within rear income housing, retail and office uses. setbacks, unless designed to be shared amongst multiple uses. Curb-cuts and driveways should be This redevelopment should also consider the limited, but permitted to access parking facilities. improvements outlined in the Mobility and Connectivity section which will create a walkable Moving eastward, Railroad Ave. is lined with street network to support these new uses and properties currently being used for light industrial integrate them into the South End’s urban fabric. purposes. The community has expressed a Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 The before and after images below show how desire to see some of these facilities repurposed a mixed-use redevelopment and streetscaping with a focus on urban agriculture. Urban Iranistan Ave. & Ridge Ave. - After improvements fit in and improve the urban agriculture refers to food production through environment around the intersection of Ridge plant cultivation and animal husbandry, non- Ave. and Iranistan Ave. industrial processing, distribution of that food. Advancements in technology and practice have There is a slight concentration of commercial made urban agriculture feasible, and demand uses in the vicinity of the Park Ave./Railroad Ave. for community access to locally-produced fresh intersection. As Marina Village is redeveloped and healthy food products is high and not limited with high-quality medium-density mixed-income to the South End. The existing Mixed-Use Light residential uses, the area will begin to be able to Industrial (MU-LI) zoning allows urban agriculture, support additional neighborhood retail uses and via special permit, and should be examined to see the likelihood of other properties along Railroad if it needs to be improved in any way to encourage Ave. doing the same increases. these uses.

Running from Seaside Park all the way north The property at 325 Lafayette St.—or half of the into the Town of Trumbull, Park Ave. is one of the former Warnaco site—was recently successfully most visible and important corridors in the City. redeveloped as a 140- unit residential This area is a natural fit to become a high-activity condominium complex know as Lofts on Lafayette. center capable of fulfilling the community’s The remaining property at 330 Myrtle Ave. is Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 76

still home to abandoned factory buildings and • Encourage and facilitate significant The Street is very wide with two one-way directional continues to have a negative impact on the population and new business growth traffic lanes and two parking lanes. Traffic volume and surrounding properties. • Minimize curb-cuts and driveways travel speeds are high and accidents are common. • Prohibit off-street parking facilities within Although the sidewalks are wide, they are in poor Redeveloping 330 Myrtle with market-rate front and side setbacks condition. The streetscape is void of streescaping, residential and ground floor retail mixed-use • Facilitate a range of buildings heights, with trees and has inadequate lighting. State St. is unsafe for will build upon the success of Lofts on Lafayette, minimums and maximums bicyclists and pedestrians, especially at night. facilitate population growth, and positively • Encourage outdoor dining in strategic influence neighboring property values. Built high locations Bump-outs and clearly marked crosswalks will shorten enough, this building or buildings would enjoy • Encourage and support urban agriculture is crossing distances and improve pedestrian safety. terrific views and considering the surrounding strategic locations Street trees and landscaping will improve the urban land uses—mainly surface parking lots to the environment and alter the scale of the street for both north and south and medium- to high-density drivers and pedestrians, making it more attractive and residential to the east and west—it likely could be Urban Corridor safer. State St. is a candidate to be converted to two- with minimal impact. way directional flow and the City of Bridgeport aims to The Urban Corridor district is comprised of the study the feasibility of doing so. Six Greater Bridgeport Said parking lots and other underperforming properties fronting along State St., a major State- Transit bus routes run along State St. Improving bus uses along Myrtle Ave., Austin St., Warren St. owned corridor running from the Town of Fairfield into stops along these routes with well-designed weather- Gregory St. and Lafayette St. should similarly be Downtown Bridgeport. The corridor is anchored by protective facilities would serve dual purposes redeveloped into high-activity mixed-uses with the United Congregational Church and YMCA uses at of distinguishing the corridor and increasing the a focus on high-quality residential units above the intersection of Park Ave., but most of the remaining attractiveness of bus transit. attractive ground-floor retail/commercial uses. uses are abandoned or in poor condition and vacant lots are prevalent. This area represents an opportunity to develop a high-activity mixed-use corridor more Key Recommendations Key Recommendations focused on commercial uses than others in the South End. 1. Work with Stakeholders to identify resources to 1. Work with Stakeholders to identify resources to prepare amendments to the City of Bridgeport prepare amendments to the City of Bridgeport Development standards within the Urban Corridor zoning ordinance and map which: zoning ordinance and map which: should allow for medium-height (two- to six- story) • Allow residential/commercial mixed-uses, • Allow residential/commercial mixed-use mixed-use buildings, as-of-right with taller buildings as-of-right development, as-of-right allowed via special permit. Vehicular access should • Encourage and facilitate sensible popula- • Permit residential/artist studio/light only be permitted from side streets. Off-street parking tion growth manufacturing mixed-use development, via facilities should be permitted, but designed to not • Ensure pedestrian and bicycling safety and special permit be visible from State St. Adequate buffering with encourage healthy activity • Encourage ground-floor design and uses screening and landscaping shall be required between • Do not allow curb-cuts, driveways or off- which engage sidewalk, bike lane and street these uses and adjacent residential uses. street parking facilities along State St. users • Allow off-street parking facilities, and re- 77

250 Waldemere Ave. - Before quire them to not be visible from State St. students and residents alike. • Champion an extensive tree planting program Reintegrating its campus back into the urban fabric of 2. Work with the State of Connecticut and City of the South End will also make it easier for the university Bridgeport to identify necessary safety im- to expand its footprint and add new facilities over provements, like bump-outs and ensure proper time. The development site at 250 Waldemere is a maintenance of State St. good opportunity for the university to do so. It also 3. Work with the City of Bridgeport to prioritize presents an opportunity to develop new residential the replacement of the sidewalks along State St. units for faculty, students or non-university residents 4. Work with Greater Bridgeport Transit to iden- right across the street from Seaside Park. The images tify resources for designing and constructing below show how moderately-scaled buildings can be attractive weather-protective bus stops along sited, oriented and built to enhance the character and State St. increase the population of the South End.

The University should also work with the City of Institutional Campus Bridgeport to coordinate streetscape and landscaping improvements along Waldemere Ave., Iranistan Ave., Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 Roosevelt Elementary School was demolished in 2013, Atlantic St. and Broad St. and a new facility is under construction. The University of Bridgeport campus is comprised of a mix of smaller 250 Waldemere Ave. - After historic and larger late-20th century buildings. Many Key Recommendations of the newer buildings were sited, oriented and built around the periphery of the campus in such a way that 1. Work with Stakeholders to ensure adequate walled off the campus and effectively turned its back crosswalks, streetscaping and tree plantings on the community. surrounding the new Roosevelt Elementary School facility The UB master plan proposes a wealth of changes to 2. Build upon existing relationship with the the university’s campus. As the University continues to University of Bridgeport to better inform its expand and invests in its campus, it has an opportunity campus master planning process and receive to redevelop as a community-facing university village. its input during the South End NRZ planning In particular, as buildings along Broad St. are altered process or replaced, plans for their replacements should 3. Work toward integrating the university into the consider the South End NRZ’s desire to see Broad St. neighborhood transformed into an active and attractive mixed-use 4. Work with the City of Bridgeport and University corridor. As such, uses and their entrances should of Bridgeport to coordinate streetscape and be oriented toward Broad St. and the northerly strip landscaping improvements along the periphery of Seaside Park. Doing so would benefit the school, of the UB campus Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 78

Eco-Industrial The eastern properties on the Bridgeport Harbor are Regional Recreation & nearly exclusively used for power generation-related purposes. The large PSE&G coal-burning facility, a The South End’s western and eastern waterfronts are Entertainment natural gas-burning facility and storage facilities for lined with industrial uses in varying states of activity. both are located here. It is extremely important to The western area surrounding Cedar Creek and within The Ballpark and Arena at Harbor Yard collectively mitigate the impacts these uses have on the South End the City’s Eco-Technology Park area. Here, Santa attract more than 300,000 people to the South End neighborhood. Fuel, Sikorsky Aircraft and Park City Green Mattress each year. Seaside Park and Beach draws, on average, stand as the only active uses among a number of large and hosts some of the region’s largest events like At a minimum, extensive buffering with screening properties lying idle. The properties represent a great Gathering of the Vibes, Barnum Festival and Puerto and landscaping should be implemented. As these opportunity for partners to come together and develop Rican Day Parade. As discussed in the Mobility & facilities age, they should be replaced with modern an innovation district. Connectivity section, ensuring convenient and safe renewable energy facilities. The land that is freed up as regional and local access to these venues while this happens should be reserved for active and passive “Innovation Districts are geographic areas where mitigating negative impacts on the community is open space use and—similar to Seaside Park—will leading-edge anchor institutions and companies cluster critical. The Ballpark and Arena facilities are relatively serve as a naturalized coastal buffer protecting the and connect with start-ups, business incubators and new and will not be redeveloped any time soon and neighborhood from coastal flooding hazards. accelerators. They are also physically compact, transit- development of Seaside Park is strictly prohibited. accessible, and technically-wired and offer mixed-use Improvements in these areas should focus on urban housing, office, and retail.” (brookings.edu, 2014) Key Recommendations beautification and gateway enhancements. Early-stage Partners should include the City of Seaside Park has numerous access points for bicycles 1. Work with the City of Bridgeport, Bridgeport Bridgeport, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, and vehicles, and nothing prohibits pedestrian access; Regional Business Council, Bridgeport Chamber Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, University of however, one factor that limits the park’s role as of Commerce, Sikorsky Aircraft and University Bridgeport and Sikorsky Aircraft and grow to include neighborhood park is that the University of Bridgeport of Bridgeport to initiate planning of an other area institutions and science- and technology- campus sits between it and the majority of the South Innovation District based businesses which would collaborate to End’s residential uses. UB has applied streetscaping 2. Work with Stakeholders to ensure the determine the scope and focus of the district and along the stretch of Park Ave. that runs through properties currently used for fossil-fuel energy shepherd its development. the campus. This has helped Park Ave. become an generation are reused for renewable energy attractive and comfortable street for pedestrians and generation and active and passive open space Facilities should be designed to be flexible to stand apart as a recognizable connection into Seaside use accommodate ever-changing uses shared operations. Park and through the magnificent Perry Memorial 3. Work with the City of Bridgeport and other Culturing a strong Startup and Entrepreneurial culture Arch. Stakeholders to identify locations for tree is extremely important to the success of the District plantings and programming should be designed to initiate Iranistan Ave. and Broad St. do not terminate into and support such a culture. Supporting uses such as Seaside Park in quite as dramatic fashion, but they housing, retail, office and entertainment are as vital to are important corridors and will benefit from the the success of the District as they are to the success of aggressive pursuit of the improvements identified the South End neighborhood as a whole. in the Mobility & Connectivity section as relate to 79

sidewalks, streets, bike-ped facilities and tree plantings. Tree plantings will have a particularly dramatic impact over time. The Iranistan Ave./Gregory St. and Broad St./ University Ave. intersections are prime locations for welcoming visitors through the neighborhood and into Seaside Park.

Beautification measures such as decorative landscaping, signage and lighting will emphasize their natural gateway roles. Thinking a little bigger, placing a new landmark such as a significantly scaled monument, statue or sculpture at these locations would firmly establish them as memorable gateways.

Key Recommendations

1. Work with City of Bridgeport, Parks and Recreation and other Stakeholders to implement the Seaside Park Master Plan 2. Work with City of Bridgeport and Harbor Yard and Arena Stakeholders to stimulate landscaping and other urban beautification initiatives 3. Work with City of Bridgeport and other Stakeholders to identify signage and lighting needs in these areas 4. Assist with Volunteer recruitment for associated projects 80 81

Mobility & Connectivity 82

dining, healthcare, entertainment facilities and safety; and facilitate redevelopment and infill Mobility & myriad other aspects of living a fulfilling life. development at an urban village scale. Making sure infrastructure and facilities support Connectivity multiple transportation modes helps ensure Objectives mobility for all members of the community. • Make improvements to Broad St., Park Ave. Connectivity refers to how the various pieces of and Railroad Ave. to realize their potential The South End is located just south of the the transportation network—streets, railroads, to serve as primary corridors Downtown business center and contains transit routes and facilities, sidewalks, trails, • Make essential roadway repairs, such as two regional activity centers—University of paths and bicycle/pedestrian facilities—are filling potholes, repaving and restoring Bridgeport and Seaside Park—of its own. The connected to one another. Design considerations curbs community workshops revealed that people often which contribute to the connectivity of the • Evaluate existing street grid and traffic travel amongst these uses without ever stopping network include: directional flow system to locate missing in the neighborhood itself, and although one linkages and identify appropriate improve- can and many may want to walk to and from the • Street segment length and width ments centers of Downtown and the South End/Seaside • Directional flow; • Repair, improve or add sidewalks and cross- Park in under 20 minutes, this experience leaves • Street pattern type (conventional grid, walks via restriping, signage and/or signal- much to be desired. curvilinear loop, cul-de-sac, etc.) ization where necessary • Placement and number of traffic controls • Place and replace new traffic signage and The elevated highway and railroad tracks act as like signage, signals, medians, speed bumps/ signalization, where necessary an immense physical and visual barrier between tables, etc. • Focus on high-incident intersections and the Downtown and the South End. The two large • Wayfinding and informational signage consider more progressive traffic-calming vacant tracts of land between the highway and • Surface materials such as asphalt, concrete, measures such as raised tables and tex- railroad structures also present a barren, listless cobblestone, brick, gravel, dirt, grass tured pavement materials among others urban landscape that fails to engage pedestrians • Connections between different facilities • Develop an effective wayfinding strategy or foster a sense of liveliness and security. This such as crosswalks, intersections, shared/ and make improvements to implement it section focuses heavily on bridging this divide parallel routes, stops and terminals, storage • Evaluate parking needs and consider the and establishing efficient, convenient and safe and docking stations, parking facilities, merits of a residential parking permit multimodal connections between Downtown and benches and all types of land uses program the various assets in the South End NRZ. • Evaluate transit system routes, stops and connections to determine needed improve- Mobility refers to the ability of people of all ages, Goal ments, if any incomes and capacities to travel to and from • Formalize existing “sharrow”-marked bike locations within and outside the neighborhood. Study the feasibility of improvements to the routes with improved signage, lane demar- Mobility must be ensured so that people are able transportation network to enhance mobility to cation and separation to conduct the business of their daily lives—get and throughout the South End NRZ for all citizens • Expand on-street bike route network to and from work and/or school; socialize with and transportation modes; better connect the friends, family and colleagues; access shopping, NRZ and its assets with Downtown; increase 83 Map 9 - Existing Land Use & Redevelopment Opportunities

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 84

Essential Roadway Repairs potholes, broken curbs, non-functioning storm recommendations at the end of the section. drains and request essential roadway repairs 2. Work with City Council Representatives and Traffic control, or the communication to users as to The first step to improving the transportation City Staff to prioritize Gregory St. and Lafayette how to properly use the transportation network, is a network in the South End NRZ is to assess the existing St. paving projects and identify subsequent very important aspect of mobility and connectivity. conditions of its current roadways, walkways and projects The community workshop revealed that signage, other pathways, and make essential improvements to signalization, and enforcement can each be improved in each. During the community workshop, potholes were the South End. Proper geometry and design of facilities repeatedly cited as a concern. The City recently began also contributes to a safe and efficient network that is leasing the “pothole killer”, a vehicle capable of filling Vehicular Street Network easy to use and understand. 150 potholes a day, three times the City crew’s average. The vehicular street network in the South End The City’s BConnected service request platform is serves essentially every type and scale of land use in The railroad underpasses, with their poor lighting, excellent for reporting potholes and enabling them to a compact and geographically constrained area. The reduced sightlines, narrow widths, low clearances, be patched quickly. street pattern in the South End is a combination of sharp turning radii, and undulating topographies traditional rectilinear and curvilinear grids. The primary result in poor intersections all along Railroad Ave. Community workshop feedback also revealed that north-south corridors are: Park Ave., Iranistan Ave. Commercial vehicles, which require high clearances portions of Gregory St. and Lafayette are good and Broad St. Myrtle Ave., Lafayette St. and Main St. are not able to access the South End via many of these candidates for repaving. The South End should work are important, but limited north-south corridors. The routes. Biking can be a harrowing experience due to with its City Council Representatives and Department primary east-west corridors are State St., Railroad the very poor sightlines. Due to their hazardous design, of Public Facilities to identify and prioritize paving Ave., Atlantic St., Gregory St. and Waldemere Ave. these intersections are signalized. Anecdotally, it seems projects and lobby for inclusion in the City’s pavement Geographically, the South End is on a peninsula; as the high number of signals and frequency of stops management plan. such, traffic flows into and out of the neighborhood actually causes an increased rate of drivers running red exclusively along its northern border. lights along Railroad Ave. The following intersections Factors which may contribute to persistent street were identified during community workshops as of flooding in the South End are the age, condition and The network is extensively built out; however a high concern with regard to safety: maintenance of storm drains and the retention vaults number of large lot uses reduce overall connectivity: in which they flow. The South End NRZ should work University of Bridgeport campus; PSEG facilities, • Each Railroad Ave. intersection with the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) Sikorsky Aircraft facilities and parking/landing area, • Atlantic St. and Broad St.; to identify those drains which are not functioning Ballpark/Arena complex and adjacent lots, Marina • Atlantic St. and Lafayette St.; properly. Again, the BConnected platform empowers Village, Lofts on Lafayette and Warnaco sites, Seaside • Atlantic St. and Iranistan Ave.; and all community members to report instances of non- Park and the elevated highways and railroad tracks. • Gregory St. and Iranistan Ave. functioning storm drains, and track response efforts. Due to their tight geometries and low clearances, most delivery and freight vehicles are unable to enter Key Recommendations the South End from any access point east of Park Ave. Opportunities for addressing these issues and 1. Promote widespread use of the City’s increasing street connections are limited; however, BConnected service request platform to report the South End should study the feasibility of the key 85 Map 10 - Vehicular Street Network - Existing Conditions

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 86

The community cites Broad St., Lafayette St. and Key Reccomendations 9. Add a combination of the following for Broad Iranistan Ave. as streets which experience excessive and Lafayette Streets: • Curb “bump-outs” at intersections speeding. Intersection curb “bump-outs” with • Work with the City of Bridgeport and other • Bioswales bioswales and/or tree plantings and extensive street Stakeholders to identify funding resources to • Tree plantings tree plantings alter the visual experience for drivers examining the feasibility of constructing or through such open stretches. As the trees mature implementing the following improvements: and produce more shade, the effect becomes more 1. Connect Walnut St. to South Ave. and Iranistan pronounced. Ave. to Park Ave. as part of any redevelopment of Marina Village Infill development will have a similar traffic-calming 2. Connect South Ave. to Atlantic St. to serve effect as long as it takes place within a shallow the proximate industrial uses and provide neighborhood-scale setback from the street. A additional access for future development texture treatment consists of using bricks, pavers, 3. Convert Gregory and Atlantic Streets from one- cobblestones or textured concrete for the four to two-way streets crosswalks and the “box” area in between them instead 4. Convert section of Main St. from one- to two- of typical pavement. These intersections should also be way directional flow marked with highly visible striping and signage. 5. Abandon the unnamed and extraneous roadway connecting Broad St. and Main St. While South Ave. has been improved and can 6. Convert the intersection of Atlantic and accommodate additional uses and traffic, Lafayette from 2-way normal intersection to a Railroad Ave. requires a number of improvements 4-way intersection with a texture treatment realize its potential as a mixed-use corridor. At a 7. Railroad Ave.: minimum, it should be widened to support access • Widen the street to facilitate to and from these properties, and accommodate redevelopment and construction of a a protected bike lane and on-street parking protected bike lane and parallel on-street facilities. parking facilities • Execute an extensive tree planting program It should be beautified with streetscaping to • Add traffic and wayfinding signage create a welcoming, user- and business-friendly • Implement intersection and crosswalk atmosphere and improved with tree plantings and improvements other green street design features. Railroad Ave. • Add attractive streetscaping amenities is highly visible to MetroNorth and Amtrak riders. • Include green street design features In its current state, Railroad Ave. contributes to a 8. Apply a texture treatment to the intersections poor perception of the neighborhood. Improving of: it carries the added benefit of altering this • Atlantic St. and Broad St. audience’s perception and improving the overall • Iranistan Ave. and Atlantic St. image of the South End. • Iranistan Ave. and Gregory St. 87 Map 11 - Vehicular Street Network - Key Recommendations

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 88

Transit Network

The Bridgeport Bus Terminal, Bridgeport Train Station and Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry Terminal transit facilities are located one block, respectively, from one another on the eastern edge of Downtown (the Ferry is in the South End NRZ). Since they are so close to one another, they are collectively referred to as the Intermodal Transit Center (ITC).

The South End enjoys walking- and bicycling-distance proximity to the ITC, making it a highly accessible neighborhood. It is served by two Greater Bridgeport Transit (GBT) bus routes. Route 1 runs from the ITC and through the South End via Broad St., Waldemere Ave., and Park Ave. and Route 9 runs primarily along Iranistan Ave. and part of Atlantic St.

UB operates a shuttle service that aligns somewhat with GBT’s Route 1, but has additional stops within the campus and Downtown and is free for UB students to use. The South End is very-well served by existing transit routes. The community would like to see a community center and bus stop facility located and constructed jointly in a convenient central location.

Key Recommendations

1. Work with Stakeholders to identify funding resources for studying the feasibility of constructing a potential community center/bus stop facility 89 Map 12 - Transit Network - Existing Conditions

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 90

Sidewalk Existing Conditions - Standard Sidewalk Existing Conditions - Substandard Pedestrian Network

Good sidewalks are essential for a place to thrive as an urban neighborhood. The South End is such a place with a great concentration of various types of uses in walkable proximity to one another and Downtown right next door.

The South End is blessed with an extensive network of sidewalks, and there are very few instances of streets without a sidewalk on both sides. As such, the main priority is to repair segments of sidewalks which are in very poor condition. In some cases, this may mean completely replacing them. The pedestrian ways under the railroad tracks suffer from poor lighting and visibility to motorists. The short distance between Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 crossings with Railroad Ave. North and Railroad Ave. South exacerbates the visibility issue. At a minimum, these facilities should be improved with additional Sidewalk Existing Conditions - Very Poor lighting and more visible crosswalks.

As part of the 2014 update, City Staff conducted a windshield survey of the existing conditions of the South End’s sidewalks. Sidewalks were rated as being in either Standard, Substandard, or Very Poor condition. Excellent sidewalks are those that meet all of the City Engineer’s sidewalk standards and are in excellent condition. Substandard sidewalks show slight signs of cracking, undulation and weathering, or have minimal vegetative growth or debris, but do not meet the City Engineer’s standards. Poor sidewalks don’t meet the standards and are considerably damaged, eroded, uneven, narrow, overgrown, and/or littered.

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 91

A great tool which the community can utilize to support its desires for improvements to the pedestrian network is a complete streets walking audit. Participants walk the streets and rate various elements such as traffic speed and behavior; sidewalk conditions, debris, vandalism and perceived safety; lighting; crosswalk location, striping, signing and signaling; traffic control device location and operability; and intersection widths and ADA compliance as they relate to the ability all members of the community to safely and easily walk the streets. Such an audit was conducted along East Main Street in 2013 by AARP and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and the results have enabled stakeholders to develop a clear set of improvements to strive for.

Key Recommendations

1. Work with City Council Representatives and City Staff to: • Address all segments of sidewalks in Very Poor condition as soon as possible • Prioritize repair and/or replacement of segments in Substandard condition • Improve lighting and visibility of the railroad underpass walkways 2. Conduct an NRZ-wide complete streets walking audit to identify additional deficiencies in the pedestrian network, focusing on crosswalks 3. Promote the use of the City’s BConnected services request platform to report deficiencies 92 Map 13 - Sidewalk Network - Existing Conditions

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 93

South Ave. - Before Bicycling Network East Coast Greenway

Bicycling is an “all-purpose” transportation mode in The East Coast Greenway (ECG) is a 2,900 mile urban that is offers multiple personal and community health network of existing and planned shared-use trails benefits; helps relieve stress; reduces automobile use; linking thousands of destinations between Calais, is very convenient and affordable; and promotes social Maine and Key West, Florida, including Bridgeport, interaction and appreciation of the urban environment. Connecticut and the South End NRZ. Alternate routes It is no wonder that bicycling has reemerged as a highly add an additional 2,000 miles to the ECG trail system. desired transportation alternative. Currently, 30% of the ECG consists of shared-use trails. On street connections make up the difference as the The South End’s network of bicycle facilities like East Coast Greenway Alliance works with numerous marked routes and paths and its existing network Stakeholders to construct and link additional trails. of well-connected, residentially-scaled streets are The Bridgeport stretch of the ECG is mostly on-street, tremendous assets that positions the NRZ as an ideal save the stretches of trail through Seaside Park. Once place for bicycling. Considering most South End streets complete, and properly promoted, the ECG will attract are appropriately scaled for bicycling, many of the riders from all over the East Coast through Bridgeport. Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 other recommendations in this section, like converting Atlantic and Gregory Streets to two-way directional traffic and improving intersections, will have a positive Pequonnock River Trail South Ave. - After impact on the entire bicycling network. The Pequonnock River Trail (PRT) is a currently incomplete regional trail. The planned 16.2 mile PRT Sharrows begins in Downtown Bridgeport and runs parallel to the Pequonnock River along the path of the abandoned The City has marked an informal on-street bike route Housatonic Railway, north through Beardsley Park through the South End with “sharrows” or shared lane into Trumbull, across the Routes 15/25 interchange markings (often grouped arrows). This route aims to area, into Twin Brooks Park, through the Pequonnock connect the Downtown, South End, West End/West River Valley and into Monroe, where it follows the Side and Black Rock Neighborhoods, and is a very old rail bed through Wolfe Park to the Newtown scenic way to visit both Seaside Park and St. Mary’s by town line. The City of Bridgeport and the Greater the Sea. With the varying street geometries over its Bridgeport Regional Council are working together to course, it may not be feasible to formalize the route, but secure funding to design and construct an extension using sharrows is a great way to promote bicycling on of the PRT from its current terminus in Beardsley Park these streets. southward to Seaside Park

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 94

Map 14 - Pequonnock River Trail Seaside Park Trail

The City’s most extensive and well-maintained bicycle facility is a combination of on-street routes and off- street trails running from end-to-end through Seaside Park. Currently, the Seaside Park network is not connected to the Pequonnock River Trail.

Main St. is a secondary street that begins at Seaside Park and runs north, parallel to the busy Broad St., until it meets the railroad tracks. It is a great street for bicycling. The anticipated relocation of the Bridgeport- Port Jefferson Ferry Terminal from its current location in the South End to across the Bridgeport Harbor in the East End provides an opportunity to connect the PRT to the Seaside network via Main St. in a slightly different fashion than shown in turquoise on the map.

This on-street route connection begins at Seaside Park where Soundview Dr. meets Main St; runs north on Main St.; and connects via a right-hand turn onto Ferry Access Blvd. to the Water Street Dock. Here, riders are treated to scenic views of Bridgeport Harbor and the Pequonnock River while connecting, via the Water St. railroad underpass, to the existing terminus of the PRT one block north at the Bridgeport Bus Terminal.

Connecting the PRT to the Seaside Park network greatly increases the efficiency, usability and marketability of the entire unified network; enhances local connections between Seaside Park, UB, the South End and Downtown; makes each much more accessible as Regional destinations; and provides a more equitable and healthy transportation alternative. Source: Greater Bridgeport Regional Council, 2014 95

Ferry Access Blvd. - Existing Key Recommendations

1. Support the City’s efforts to connect the Pe- quonnock River Trail to the Seaside Park 2. Help identify funding resources to study the fea- sibility of constructing the Main St./Ferry Access Blvd. connection 3. Encourage inclusion of bicycling facilities in key locations 4. Help identify resources to increase bicycling signage and wayfinding 5. Work with the City, East Coast Greenway Alliance and other Stakeholders to consider appropriate improvements to segments of the ECG and help foster and promote its status as a world-class bicycling route Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010

Water St. Dock - Existing

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2010 96 Map 15 - Proposed PRT Connection

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 97

Cultural Resources 98

significant properties Cultural Resources • Seek champions to promote and host walking tours • Focus on enhancing programming and facilities at Seaside Park • Plan, coordinate and produce events to celebrate the South End and welcome Cultural resources are those physical and visitors into the neighborhood, as well as intangible assets which define places and others focused on encouraging South End communities, and include architecture, arts, residents to socialize with one another and sculptures and memorials, physical landscapes, develop strong neighbor relationships history, folklore, heritage, past and present • Support the NRZ’s community gardening members of the community and facilities and efforts programs which provide opportunities to celebrate the past and continue creating new assets for future generations. Seaside Park

Seaside Park, with its sweeping views of and Goal access to the waters of Long Island Sound, is easily the most defining feature of the South End. Inventory, restore, if necessary, maintain, protect The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and celebrate existing cultural resources for the and developed by P.T. Barnum between 1865 and enjoyment, education and enrichment of current 1920. It is a treasure trove of historic structures and future generations and develop opportunities and monuments and its recreational facilities to enable the creation of new ones. have been enjoyed by countless families for many generations. Objectives

• Collaborate with the City of Bridgeport and area arts and cultural organizations to develop a strategy for inventorying, mapping, preserving, restoring and maintaining the South End NRZ’s existing cultural resources • Work with Stakeholders to identify P.T. Barnum Statue, Seaside Park resources and develop a strategy for Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 restoring and maintaining historically 99

Perry Memorial Arch Wayfinding Signage Key Recommendations

1. Work with the City of Bridgeport and other key Stakeholders to preserve and maintain the structures and monuments in Seaside Park 2. Work with the City and other Stakeholders to identify resources to support and extend recreational, educational and entertainment programming at Seaside Park 3. Work with the City and other Stakeholders to identify resources to support construction of new recreational facilities such as: • Basketball, tennis and bocce ball courts • Dog run • Additional playground areas for young children Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 • Splash pad • Improved skate park facilities • Improved beach volleyball facilities Fayerweather Lighthouse & Breakwall Bird Habitat 4. Work with Stakeholders to identify resources to support rehabilitation of the historic bath house and mounted police horse stable facilities 5. Oppose restriction of public access to Seaside Park

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 Source: theseasides.com, 2014 100

Historic Districts Park, students from the University of Massachusetts at below and other historic elements of the area, there Amherst Planning Department designed three walking are ample significant sights to warrant a walking tour to tours: highlight history that otherwise might be slipping away. Including Seaside Park, there are six designated historic Significant elements include: Mary and E Freeman districts in the South End and a collection of individual • Little Liberia Heritage homes (1); Historic Cobblestones Singer St. (2); properties listed on the National Register of Historic • Statues, Memorials & Monuments Walter’s Memorial AME Zion Church (3); Little Liberia Places (NRHP), which are an excellent collective • Industry & Architecture (4); Cottage Village Historic District (5); Palliser Homes representation of urban life in the mid- to late 19th (6.); Seaside Park Entrance (7) & Mural (8). century. Some individual structures listed include: Maps of the tours are in the Appendix. • The Freeman Houses (352-354 and 358-360 Little Liberia Heritage Main Street) Industry & Architecture • The Seaside Institute (299 Lafayette Street) Walking Tour Walking Tour • The Park Apartments (59 Rennell Street) • Tongue Point Lighthouse The goal of this walking tour is to reconnect the South This tour begins in Little Liberia and takes people • Seely Bolster House End and Bridgeport with the history of Little Liberia. through the five historic districts located in the south • United Congregational Church, 877 Park Though there is little physical evidence of Little Liberia end: Cottage Village Historic District, Barnum Palliser Avenue remaining, other than the Freeman homes. When used Historic District, Marina Park Historic District, Seaside • Ingleside Cottage in conjunction with the public art installations proposed Village Historic and Seaside Park Historic District. • The David Perry House (531 Lafayette Street) below and other historic elements of the area, there This option highlights the architecture of the South are ample significant sights to warrant a walking tour to End, along with the industry that was formerly located Despite their historic designation, the number of highlight history that otherwise might be slipping away. here. Points of interest include the gateway to Marina historic properties in need of repair and persistent lack Significant elements include: Mary and E Freeman Park (all that remains of P.T. Barnum’s last home), The of resources for rehabilitating them is a common high- homes (1); Historic Cobblestones Singer St. (2); University of Bridgeport, the site of Warner Company priority issue cited by the community. Partnerships Walter’s Memorial AME Zion Church (3); Little Liberia (corset maker),and the site of the Seaside Institute (an are necessary to secure the funding required to (4); Cottage Village Historic District (5); Palliser Homes educational institute begun by the Warner Company ensure that these legacy properties are collectively (6.); Seaside Park Entrance (7) & Mural (8). for their female employees). restored and maintained as a strong foundation of the community. These buildings and the character they impart on the South End significantly contribute to Statues, Memorials & Monu- Key Recommendations the neighborhood’s positive image and quality of life and attractiveness to visitors and future residents. ments Walking Tour 1. Work with Stakeholders to seek Volunteers to Potential sources of rehabilitation resources include formalize walking tours and design self-guided historic tax credits, grant program funding and The goal of this walking tour is to reconnect the South tour brochures conventional financing. End and Bridgeport with the history of Little Liberia. 2. Produce and distribute self-guided tour Though there is little physical evidence of Little Liberia brochures to promote walking tours To help celebrate many of these assets and guide remaining, other than the Freeman homes. When used 3. Seek weekend actors and volunteers dressed people throughout the neighborhood and Seaside in conjunction with the public art installations proposed in period costumes to conduct tours providing 101

commentary and entertainment Key Recommendations 4. Work with Stakeholders to identify resources to support the planning, design and construction 1. Plan, promote and produce small community of effective and attractive wayfinding signage events open and welcoming to the entire South to enhance the walking tours and their various End community stops 2. Encourage Members of the community to plan, promote and produce similar events 3. Work with the City of Bridgeport to gain an Community Events understanding of permitting, licensing and fees associate with hosting community events in the Seaside Park is often used to host large events which public realm attract audiences from throughout the Region. While 4. Work with the City of Bridgeport to reduce South End residents certainly enjoy these big events, bureaucratic and accessibility barriers to the community workshop revealed a clear dearth hosting events of small events designed to encourage South End 5. In the absence of a formal South End residents—neighbors—to meet and mingle with each Community Center facility, work with other. The South End is a diverse community with Stakeholders to identify a suitable venue or people of all ages, from all “walks-of-life”. Many folks location for hosting meetings and events have called the South End home their entire lives and others have just moved in. Some enjoy religious fellowship and/or civic engagement, and others don’t. For many of the residents who participated in the community workshop, the workshop was the first opportunity they had to meet and interact with many of their neighbors.

Community events don’t have to be centered around Communities are built upon the solid a neighborhood planning process to successfully bring people together. Less formal, more social events like foundation of relationships amongst community cookouts, neighborhood cleanups, and block parties provide a more relaxed environment residents, business owners, religious and for making introductions, sharing backgrounds and developing relationships. Communities are built community leaders, and other Stakeholders. upon the solid foundation of relationships amongst residents, business owners, religious and community leaders and other Stakeholders. 102 Map 16 - Historic Districts

Source: City of Bridgeport, 2014 103

Railroad Ave. Community Garden Community Gardens 2. Actively seek Volunteers capable of adopting and managing new garden facilities 3. Work to build connections between community A number of private and community groups have garden Participants established community gardens in the South End, 4. Consider organizing a South End Farmer’s/ and the community workshop revealed a demand for Gardener’s Market pilot event additional gardens. Community gardens are typically 5. Work with Stakeholders to help promote collaborative efforts located on shared open spaces. community gardens Participants fully or partially share planning, planting, maintaining and harvesting responsibilities. In an urban village setting such as the South End, community gardens can have particularly profound benefits, such as:

• Actively reusing vacant/abandoned properties • Causing urban beautification • Providing fresh and healthy produce Source: Urban Roots, 2014 • Creating educational opportunities • Engaging physical activity • Developing and strengthening social Community Gardeners connections • Helping remedy food desert conditions

As the network of active community gardens and Gardeners in the South End continues to grow, it may build the capacity necessary to plan, promote and produce a series of Farmer’s or Gardener’s Market events. Open to the public, these markets would help attract visitors to the South End and introduce them to parts of the community they may overlook on their way to Seaside Park or the Ballpark and Arena.

Key Recommendations

1. Work with Stakeholders to continue exploring opportunities for locating new community Source: Urban Roots, 2014 gardens 104 105

Implementation Strategy 106

Implementation the recommendations are explained in detail. Measuring Performance Timeframes of immediate- (less than three years), short- (three to six years), mid- (six to ten years) Strategy During the plan implementation stage, it is and long-term (ten to twenty years) have been important to continuously evaluate progress estimated for each project. These timeframes being made toward project completion. are meant to illustrate general expectations with Maintaining awareness with regard to what work regard to implementation times. Many factors The Plan introduces more than fifty key is being done today helps sustain the effort and may contribute to advancing or expanding of recommendations for improving the South End provides a basis for marketing the South End NRZ these estimates. NRZ, organized around the four primary themes as a community working to improve itself. of Coastal Resilience & Sustainability (CRS), Urban Village Character (UVC), Mobility & Timeline Collaborative Planning Studio has prepared sets Connectivity (MC), Cultural Resources (CR) and of standard performance measures (see Appendix) Implementation Strategy (IS). which can be applied to this and future Bridgeport Communities do not sit idle while Plans are NRZ planning processes. From this effort, each being made, and in many ways implementation Implementing the recommendations requires NRZ Leadership group will determine the data of the Plan has already begun. This section does partnership between and amongst a number sets it finds to be most crucial and beneficial to not identify specific project commencement of Stakeholders, including, but not limited to monitor, and will help determine the appropriate points. Intended to become a “living, breathing” South End NRZ Leadership, City of Bridgeport approach to obtaining them and reporting any document, the Plan—and especially the Representatives and Staff, State of Connecticut results. Implementation Strategy—will be continuously Officials and Staff, University of Bridgeport updated through collaboration between the South Staff, Greater Bridgeport Regional Council Staff, While each NRZ plan is unique and addresses End NRZ, City Staff and community Stakeholders. Greater Bridgeport Transit Staff, South End physical and social issues particular to individual business and property Owners, religious and neighborhoods, one overarching goal common The first step in this collaborative approach is to community organizations, Residents, Employees, to all NRZs is to strengthen the neighborhood’s prioritize projects as High-, Medium- and Low- Students and other Stakeholders. ability to lead and implement revitalization priority. Project prioritization is a qualitative projects. The plan development process brings exercise which takes into account criteria such the neighborhood together to outline a vision as community needs, desires and preferences; Organization for its future and identify projects that can be feasibility; timing; political and community will; undertaken to achieve that vision. Upon adoption The projects matrixes contain lists of potential and available resources. Prioritization helps of the Plan, the NRZ becomes organized and is Partners who will be involved with the determine the order in which projects might designated by the City as the body responsible for implementation of the recommendations which commence. Complete implementation of all implementation. will likely expand over time. projects is unlikely and over time with ever changing conditions, the Plan will be amended to Providing all NRZs with a uniform tool that allows Each project is identified by a unique project reflect new priorities. them to monitor progress towards implementing number, and page numbers for referring back the Plan is an essential step in helping the NRZs to the appropriate location in the Plan where celebrate their successes and understand 107 obstacles that may be hindering implementation. 1. Build Organizational Capacity At times, technical assistance may be necessary for effective monitoring of progress. Monitoring of the NRZ progress also helps keep the City informed on progress and achievements of the NRZ. Desired Outcome Measure The first step towards measuring performance NRZ runs meetings independently • NRZ prepares meeting agendas is to establish goals common to all NRZs upon • NRZ takes meeting minutes which progress will be tracked. While indicators • # of NRZ Members trained in Roberts Rules of the neighborhood’s overall success in achieving of Order revitalization would address issues such as NRZ has a strong core of dedicated Members • # of Participants at monthly NRZ meetings improving neighborhood safety, improving • # of leadership meetings tp plan for regular neighborhood standard of living and improving NRZ meetings and special events education and employment outcomes, indicators NRZ effectively communicates with City Staff • # of NRZ Members trained on how to use of each NRZ’s success as an organization BConnected platform addresses the broader concept of building • # of NRZ Members who have used BCon- organizational capacity and social capital within nected platform within the past 12 months the neighborhood. • NRZ submits yearly progress report to City Staff With this overarching principle in mind, the NRZ is working to implment its Plan • # of Plan projects underway following goals are recommended as a framework • # of Plan projects completed (annual break- for measuring the performance of the NRZs: down)

1. Build organizational capacity of the NRZ 2. Build social networks within the neighborhood 3. Strengthen community/police relations

NRZ Leadership should review the Plan annually, focusing on the Implementation Strategy; evaluate progress being made on priority projects; evaluate 108

2. Build Social Networks within project prioritization (as they are completed and community desires and conditions change); and the Neighborhood identify next steps. During plan implementation and review, the NRZ should attempt to include Desired Outcome Measure City of Bridgeport Leadership and Staff. NRZ Plans and hosts community events • # of community events sponsored by NRZ • # of Partners engaged with NRZ in planning Key Recommendations community events • # of Residents in attendance at community 1. Collaborate with the City of Bridgeport and events key Stakeholders to prioritize projects NRZ Residents are engaged with the broader • % Residents participating in other commu- 2. Collaborate with Stakeholders and neighborhood nity organizations project Partners to identify resources for • % Residents regularly utilizing parks, play- implementing projects grounds and other public open spaces 3. Determine key performance measures as • % Students participating in neighborhood relate to: after-school programs • NRZ Organization • Plan Implementation • Neighborhood Revitalization 3. Strengthen Community - 4. Identify parties responsible for monitoring performance and report preparation Police Relations 5. Prepare schedule of meetings to: • Facilitate project planning • Identify next steps Desired Outcome Measure • Discuss performance/progress • Evaluate and modify the Plan NRZ has a positive relationship with community • Presence of neighborhood police substation 6. Maintain constant and ongoing police • NRZ meetings attended by community communications with project Partners police • # of community events jointly hosted by A Performance Measurement Handbook is being NRZ and community police developed that will include easy-to-understand NRZ has a positive relationship with police patrol • # and frequency of foot patrols instructions for implementing performance Officers • # NRZ meetings attended by patrol Officers measures. • # of crime tips reported to police 109

Coastal Resilience & Sustainability

Immediate (Less than 3 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? CRS-01 Promote Use of BConnect- Lead neighborhood-wide City of Bridgeport Depart- Local public and private 57, 58 ed Platform for Coastal promotional efforts. ments, South End Stakehold- sources Resilience & Sustainability ers Improvements CRS-02 Conduct Community Educa- Assist Partner efforts, upon Project Teams, South End Local public and private 57, 58 tion & Outreach request. educational institutions, sources community organizations, businesses and citizens; City of Bridgeport Departments CRS-03 Volunteer Recruitment for Assist the City of Bridgeport City of Bridgeport Depart- Local public and private 57, 58 Tree Planting & Landscape Parks Department with ments, community organiza- sources Efforts recruitment efforts, upon tion(s) request. CRS-04 Emergency Preparedness Work with the Emergency City of Bridgeport Emergen- Local public and private 57, 58 Operations Center to deter- cy Operations Center sources mine best role. CRS-05 Rain Barrel Program Help promote the City’s rain City of Bridgeport, communi- Local public and private 59, 60 barrel program. ty Stakeholders sources

CRS-06 Stormwater Infrastructure Help identify non-functioning City Council Representa- Local public and private 52 drains and poorly elevated tives, City Staff, WPCA Staff, sources outlets. Report issues using Save the Sound, Conserva- BConnected platform. tion Corps. 110

Short-term (3-6 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? CRS-07 Floodplain Development Support and participate in City of Bridgeport Depart- Federal, State and local 58, 60 Standards process. ments, community Stake- sources holders CRS-08 Green Building Features Support and promote. City of Bridgeport Depart- Industry Partners; Federal, 58-60 ments, communityStakehold- State and local sources ers, Industry Partners CRS-09 Construction & Retrofitting Support and promote. City of Bridgeport Depart- Industry Partners; Federal, 59, 60 Cost Reduction ments, community Stake- State and local sources holders, Industry Partners CRS-10 Seaside Park as Buffer Zone Support and participate in City of Bridgeport Depart- Federal, State and local 51, 52 (Planning) planning process. ments sources

Mid-term (6-10 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? CRS-11 Native Landscaping of Sea- Work with Bridgeport Parks City of Bridgeport Depart- Local public and private 51, 52 side Park Department to determine ments, South End Volunteers sources role. CRS-12 Green Street Design Support and promote. City of Bridgeport Depart- Federal, State and local 52-56, ments, CT DOT, Greater sources 58 Bridgeport Regional Council, other Stakeholders 111

Long-term (More than 10 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? CRS-13 Multifunctional Berm Support and participate in City of Bridgeport Depart- Federal, State and local 51, 52 planning process. ments, CT DEEP, US EPA, sources Army Corps. of Engineers, Property Owners, Reslient Bridgeport Team CRS-14 Offshore Breakwater Struc- Support and participate in City of Bridgeport Depart- Federal, State and local 51, 52 tures in Long Island Sound planning process. ments, CT DEEP, US EPA, sources Army Corps. Of Engineers, Resilient Bridgeport Team CRS-15 Elevated Singer St. & CSO Support and participate in City of Bridgeport Depart- Federal, State, local and 58 Open Space planning process. ments, Property Owners, private sources CT DOT, Greater Bridgeport Regional Council, other Stakeholders 112

Urban Village Character

Immediate (Less than 3 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? UVC-01 Promote Use of BConnected Lead neighborhood-wide City of Bridgeport Depart- Local public and private Platform for Urban Village promotional efforts. ments, South End Stakehold- sources Improvements ers UVC-02 Develop Civic Partnerships Lead efforts. South End Educational insti- Local public and private 67, 69 tutions, Non-profit organiza- sources tions, businesses and citizen Stakeholders UVC-03 Initiate Urban Beautification Work with City of Bridgeport City of Bridgeport Depart- State and local public and 67-69 Program to determine role ments, Stakeholders private sources

UVC-04 Conduct Volunteer Re- Lead, as necessary. City of Bridgeport Depart- N/A 67, 69 cruitment for Urban Village ments, Stakeholders Character Projects UVC-05 Develop Property Improve- Lead efforts. City of Bridgeport Depart- Local public and private 67, 69 ment Award Program ments, South End Education- sources al institutions, Non-profit organizations, businesses and citizen Stakeholders UVC-06 Participate in UB Campus Support and participate in University of Bridgeport N/A 76 Master Planning Process planning process.

UVC-07 Identify State St. Improve- Lobby and support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 75, 76 ments Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council UVC-08 Conduct Comprehensive and Support and participate in City of Bridgeport, Office of Federal, State and local 63-78 Ongoing Zoning Ordinance & planning process. Planning & Economic Devel- sources Map Amendments opment, Stakeholders 113

Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? UVC-10 Promote Roosevelt School Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 76 Streetscape Improvements Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council UVC-11 Assist with UB Campus – Work with University of University of Bridgeport, University of Bridgeport, 76 Area Improvements Bridgeport to determine role. City of Bridgeport Depart- Local and State sources ments UVC-12 Assist with Seaside Park Work with Bridgeport Parks City of Bridgeport Parks & Federal, State and local pub- 77, 78 Master Plan Implementation Department to determine Recreation Department, lic and private sources role. Stakeholders

Short-term (3-6 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in this Partners for implmenting come from? No. project? this project? UVC-13 Develop an Affordable Hous- Support and participate in City of Bridgeport, South Federal, State and local sourc- 64, 69 ing Policy planning process. End Educational institutions, es Non-profit organizations, businesses and citizen Stake- holders 114

Mid-term (6-10 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in this Partners for implmenting come from? No. project? this project? UVC-13 Initiate Gateways & Wayfind- Promote and participate in City of Bridgeport Depart- Local public and private 67-68 ing Program planning efforts. ments, Stakeholders sources

UVC-14 Develop Vocational Training Lobby and support. Property Owners and De- Industry Partners; Federal, 64, 69 Program velopers, City of Bridgeport State and local sources Departments, Civic Organiza- tions, Stakeholders UVC-15 Initiate Harbor Yard & Arena Support and participate in City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Local public and private 77, 78 Urban Beautification Program planning process. Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council UVC-16 Initiate Innovation District Support and participate in City of Bridgeport Depart- FFederal, State and local pub- 77 Planning Process planning effort. ments, University of Bridge- lic and private sources port, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, Educational Institutions, Industry Partners, State and local Stakeholders 115

Mobility & Connectivity

Immediate (Less than 3 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? MC-01 Promote Use of BConnected Lead neighborhood-wide City of Bridgeport Depart- Local public and private 83, 90 Platform for Mobility & Con- promotional efforts. ments, South End Stakehold- sources nectivity Improvements ers MC-02 Prioritize Sidewalk Improve- Work with Representatives City of Bridgeport, Depart- Federal, State and local 89-91 ments and City Staff. ment of Public Facilities, sources Property Owners MC-03 Complete Streets Walking Support or lead effort. City of Bridgeport Local public and private 90 Audit sources

MC-04 Vehicular Directional Flow Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 84-86 Changes Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council MC-05 Gregory St. & Lafayette St. Support. City of Bridgeport City Federal, State and local 84-86 Paving Projects Council, City of Bridgeport sources Departments, Greater Bridgeport Regional Council MC-06 Abandon Broad St.-Main St. Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 85, 86 Connection Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council MC-07 Help Promote East Coast Support. East Coast Greenway Alli- Federal, State and local pub- 92, 94 Greenway ance, City of Bridgeport De- lic and private sources partments, CT DOT, Greater Bridgeport Regional Council 116

Short-term (3-6 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? MC-08 Improve Atlantic St. & Lafay- Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 83-86 ette St. Intersections Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council MC-09 Make Bikeway Improve- Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local pub- 92-95 ments Greater Bridgeport Regional lic and private sources Council

Mid-term (6-10 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? MC-10 Make Bicycling Facilities Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 92-95 Improvements Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council MC-11 Make Other Intersection Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local pub- 83-86 Improvements Greater Bridgeport Regional lic and private sources Council MC-12 Identify Location & Funding Lead lobby efforts and partic- City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local pub- 87 for Community Center Bus ipate in planning process. Greater Bridgeport Regional lic and private sources Stop Council

Long-term (More than 10 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? MC-13 Construct New Streets Support City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 83-96 Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council 117

Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? MC-14 Make Railroad Ave. Improve- Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 83-86 ments Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council 118

Cultural Resources

Immediate (Less than 3 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? CR-01 Produce South End Commu- Lead event organizer and City of Bridgeport Depart- Local public and private 100 nity Event Programming fundraiser. ments, South End Stakehold- sources ers CR-02 Support & Expand Seaside Work with City of Bridgeport City of Bridgeport, Depart- Federal, State and local 98, 100 Park Programming Parks and Recreation De- ment of Public Facilities, sources partment to determine role. Property Owners CR-03 Maintain Public Access to Support, if necessary. City of Bridgeport Local public and private 97, 98 Seaside Park sources

CR-04 Conduct Volunteer Recruit- Lead. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, N/A 97-102 ment for Cultural Resources Greater Bridgeport Regional Projects Council CR-05 Improve Special Event Per- Lobby and work with City City of Bridgeport City Federal, State and local 100 mitting Permitting Departments Council, City of Bridgeport sources (Police, Fire, Health, Zoning, Departments, Greater etc.) Bridgeport Regional Council CR-06 Expand Community Gardens Work with community Bridgeport WPCA, City of Local sources 102 Facilities & Programming gardening organizations to Bridgeport Departments, determing role. Stakeholders CR-07 Produce South End Garden- Lead event organizer and City of Bridgeport Depart- Help Identify Non-Function- 100, 102 er’s Market Events fundraiser. ments, Community Garden- ing Drains ing Groups

Short-term (3-6 Years) 119

Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? CR-08 Construct New Seaside Park Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 97, 98 Recreational Facilities Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council CR-09 Initiate Monuments & Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local pub- 97, 98 Memorials Maintenance & Greater Bridgeport Regional lic and private sources Preservation Program Council

Mid-term (6-10 Years) Proj. No. Project What is the South End Who are the potential Where will the funding Page Priority NRZ’s primary role in Partners for implment- come from? No. this project? ing this project? CR-10 Initiate Neighborhood His- Support and help promote. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local 99, 100 toric Preservation Program Greater Bridgeport Regional sources Council CR-11 Rehabilitate Bath House & Support. City of Bridgeport, CT DOT, Federal, State and local pub- 98 Mounted Police Facilities Greater Bridgeport Regional lic and private sources Council 120 121

Appendices 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129